The following information was published on 1 April 2020 and is available on the SARS website (https://www.sars.gov.za/Media/Pages/CoronaVirus.aspx):

"Following the media statement issued by the Minister of Finance on 29 March 2020 on Tax Measures to Combat the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) today publish, for public comment, the 2020 Draft Disaster Management Tax Relief Bill and the 2020 Draft Disaster Management Tax Relief Administration Bill. These draft Bills provide the necessary legislative amendments required to implement the COVID-19 tax measures. The measures contained in these draft Bills will take effect on 1 April 2020:

• Media Statement: Publication of COVID-19 Draft Tax Bills for public comment
• Draft Disaster Management Tax Relief Bill - 1 April 2020
• Draft Disaster Management Tax Relief Administration Bill - 1 April 2020
• Draft Explanatory Memorandum on the Draft Disaster Management Tax Relief Bill - 1 April 2020 "

The public is invited to comment on these bills before 15 April 2020 (See media statement for more details).

Update 02/04/2020

• The draft bills are currently being reviesd by the Sage Compliance team and all relevant changes will be implemented in the software by form of a software update. This software update will be available last week in April. This will accomodate the ETI and Skills Report changes. Release Notes will cover everything that is required from a payroll perspective.
• Submissions to clarify the information to complete the Temporary Employee/Employer Relief Scheme (TERS) is currently still with the Department of Employment and Labour (DoEL). Should employers require urgent assistance to complete the forms, it will be advisable to contact the DoEL directly.

Update 17/04/2020

The following document has been made available which explains all the Covid-19 relief measures affecting payroll in South Africa.

8015.COVID-19_Relief_Measures_Affecting_Payroll.pdf

We will keep you updated here on Sage City as more information becomes available.

Update 08/04/2020

SARS published a YouTube video explaining the tax relief measures i.r.o PAYE, ETI and provisional tax.

Please click here to view the video.