Discontinuation of Debit Pull Transactions on eFiling

[Christel]

I'm not sure how SARS is trying to simplify service to tax payers by doing this... and why did they at least not warn us....
Discontinuation of DebitPull Transactions on eFiling
Since 2009SARS has been modernising payment and accounting processes with the aim ofempowering taxpayers to manage their financial responsibilities moreindependently, effectively and efficiently.

Starting 4 September 2013, debit pull transactions on eFiling will be phasedout and discontinued. This process will take place over a month. A warningmessage will appear on eFiling, where a debit pull transaction is no longeravailable. You are encouraged to perform credit push transactions or use one ofour alternative methods of payment.

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

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

A credit push transaction refers to a payment transaction that is initiated oneFiling and presented to the banking product as bill presentation, i.e. at thebank as a payment request awaiting authorisation. You are required to log intothe banking product (e.g. internet banking) and authorise the payment requestto finalise the transaction. Credit push transactions are irrevocable onceapproved. Contact your bank for further information on how to register and usecredit push transactions.

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).