SARS and Treasury Launch Monthly Data Series on Tax Debt Collection Trends

The data publication, which began in June 2025, will be updated monthly and made accessible to the public, government stakeholders, and economic analysts.

In a significant move aimed at strengthening fiscal transparency and public accountability, the National Treasury and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) have begun publishing detailed monthly data on cash collected from tax debt, as outlined in the May 2025 Budget Overview. This initiative marks a major shift toward continuous monitoring of SARS’ debt management performance and is expected to provide deeper insight into the country’s revenue trends and collection strategies.

The data publication, which began in June 2025, will be updated monthly and made accessible to the public, government stakeholders, and economic analysts.

What the Data Includes: Key Metrics and Tax Types

The newly launched monthly data series will initially focus on three core financial indicators:

1. The SARS Debt Book (Receivables) – The total outstanding amount owed to SARS by taxpayers, across all tax types.

2. The SARS Credit Book (Payables) – Money owed by SARS to taxpayers, such as refunds or overpayments.

3. Cash Collected from Tax Debt – The actual cash recovered by SARS from overdue or delinquent accounts.

The data will be broken down by tax type, including but not limited to:

• Personal Income Tax (PIT)

• Corporate Income Tax (CIT)

• Value-Added Tax (VAT)

• Customs duties

• Excise taxes

• PAYE (Pay-As-You-Earn) contributions

Importantly, historical monthly figures will also be included to track long-term trends and seasonal fluctuations in debt collection performance.

Strategic Objectives: Boosting Collections and Transparency

The publication of this data is not merely for information purposes—it forms part of a broader strategic push to improve revenue collection and fiscal accountability. According to National Treasury, the initiative supports:

• Enhanced public transparency on SARS’ operational performance

• Better fiscal forecasting for government budgeting and planning

• Improved public trust in revenue institutions

• Data-informed policy interventions for debt recovery

This move is aligned with the global trend of making revenue institutions more data-driven and publicly accountable.

“The publishing of this data will provide the public with greater insight into the revenue collection performance of SARS and will support improved fiscal planning and management,” Treasury stated.

Targeting Increased Debt Recovery: R20–R50 Billion Per Year

A key element of the government’s debt recovery strategy includes a targeted boost in collections. SARS will receive an additional R7.5 billion allocation over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). This funding will be used to significantly expand the agency’s capacity for recovering unpaid taxes, with the goal of increasing collections from tax debt by R20 billion to R50 billion annually.

“The published data includes the expected monthly profile of cash collected from debt to raise an additional R35 billion,” said Treasury, referencing the 21 May 2025 Budget Speech by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana.

This increased collection is crucial to supporting South Africa’s fiscal consolidation efforts and reducing dependence on borrowing.

Improved Enforcement Tools and Digital Infrastructure

To achieve its ambitious targets, SARS is expected to invest in several debt management and enforcement mechanisms, including:

• Advanced data analytics and AI to identify and track delinquent accounts

• Automated debt collection systems that streamline the recovery process

• Enhanced staff capacity and training within SARS’ debt recovery division

• Collaboration with financial institutions to trace and secure assets

• Legal and administrative reforms to simplify debt enforcement

These initiatives are consistent with SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter’s broader modernization campaign, aimed at transforming SARS into a smart, technology-driven revenue authority.

Fiscal Impact: Supporting South Africa’s Budget Objectives

The consistent collection and publication of tax debt data supports the National Development Plan (NDP) and the Treasury’s broader fiscal goals, especially in areas such as:

• Reducing budget deficits

• Lowering sovereign debt levels

• Expanding room for social and infrastructure spending

• Strengthening fiscal credibility in global markets

With a challenging economic environment, improving revenue performance through more efficient debt collection is seen as a crucial pillar in stabilising South Africa’s public finances.

Next Steps: Public Access and Reporting Frequency

The monthly data sets will be made publicly available via the official websites of SARS and the National Treasury. Over time, additional indicators may be incorporated to provide an even more granular view of SARS’ performance, including:

• Collection rates by region or industry

• Age of outstanding debt

• Compliance and enforcement actions

• Legal recovery proceedings

Stakeholders are encouraged to monitor these updates, which can inform both macroeconomic forecasting and micro-level compliance strategies.

A New Era of Revenue Transparency and Accountability

The launch of the monthly debt collection data series represents a pivotal advancement in South Africa’s revenue administration. It not only enhances operational transparency but also signals government’s serious commitment to improving debt recovery and strengthening fiscal sustainability.

With increased funding, strategic clarity, and a data-informed approach, SARS is positioned to meet its enhanced collection targets—providing much-needed resources for national development while reinforcing public trust in state institutions.