Discontinuation of Debit Pull Transactions on eFiling from 4 September 2013 onwards

Discontinuation of Debit Pull Transactions on eFiling

Starting 4 September 2013, all Debit Pull transactions on eFiling will be phased out and discontinued over the month of September. A warning message will appear on eFiling, where a Debit Pull transaction is no longer available.

You are encouraged to perform Credit Push transactions or use one of the alternative methods of payment.

A Credit Push transaction is a more secure process in that the authorisation of the payment can only be done by the client with their bank. There are also less risks in that a credit push transaction cannot be reversed.

Top tip: Where you don’t register for credit push transactions immediately, a Debit Pull payment option will be allowed, on condition that you agree to the declaration which appears on the screen.

“Additional Payments” on eFiling for Income Tax, Provisional Tax, Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) is not available via the Debit Pull facility. In such cases the Credit Push facility must be used.

With a Credit Push the payment transaction is performed by the bank account holder. In the case of SARS, eFiling tells the taxpayer of the amount that needs to be paid as well as the payment reference number (PRN) in the form of a payment request via the bank. The taxpayer then physically authorises this request, which acts as an instruction to the bank to make the payment to SARS. Credit Push payments are considered to be irrevocable and can only be made if the account holder has the necessary funds.

Top Tip: For certain banks additional information, e.g. Group number, User number, Access number etc., will be required to access this facility. Please contact your bank to ask if this required. SARS is aware that it is a requirement for the following banks –  ABSA, CitiBank, Nedbank and Standard Bank Business Online (CATS).

Alternative methods of payment available include:

• Over the counter payments at a bank
• EFT – electronic funds transfer using internet banking
• At a specific SARS branch (including customs).

Please contact our tax department on 021 683 4834 for any queries you may have in this regard.