Question NW383 to the Minister of Finance
22 March 2017 - NW383
Lees, Mr RA to ask the Minister of Finance
(1)With reference to value added tax (VAT) refunds claimed by VAT vendors but not yet refunded as at (a) 28 February 2016 and (b) 28 February 2017, (i) what is the total value of VAT refunds claimed, (ii) what is the number of VAT refunds claimed, (iii) what is the total value of VAT refunds under audit and (iv) what is the monthly age analysis by (aa) value and (bb) number of claims in each case; (2) will he make a statement on the matter?
Reply:
The following information is submitted by the South African Revenue Service and cannot be verified by the National Treasury:
1. (a)(i) The total value of VAT refunds claimed for the period 1 March 2015 to 29 February 2016 was R128, 199, 029, 418 of which R18, 132, 500, 365 was not refunded by 29 February 2016. It should be noted that the rand value represent the amount as supplied by the vendor on the return.
(ii) The total number of VAT refunds claimed for the period 1 March 2015 to 29 February 2016 was 341, 167 of which 34, 132 claims were not refunded by 29 February 2016. It should be noted that only returns required during the period in question were included. The information
therefore excludes all late returns and / or carry over from previous years.
(iii) The total value of VAT refunds still being audited as at 29 February 2016 was R12, 211, 133, 733.
(iv)(aa)(bb) The age analysis on value and numbers are as follows:
|
AGE - Refund claimed, not refunded by 29 February2016 |
Volume |
Value (R) |
% Num |
%Value |
|
0 to 1 Month |
18 199 |
-R 13 246 824 575.38 |
53% |
73% |
|
2 to 3 Months |
6 797 |
-R 3 049 763 560.52 |
20% |
17% |
|
4 to 6 Months |
4 617 |
-R 1 234 288 282.26 |
14% |
7% |
|
7 to 9 Months |
2 980 |
-R 387 210 521.74 |
9% |
2% |
|
10 to 12 Months |
1 539 |
-R 214 413 425.68 |
5% |
1% |
|
|
34 132 |
-R 18 132 500 365.58 |
|
|
(b)(i) The total value of VAT refunds claimed for the period 1 March 2016 to 28 February 2017 was R129, 276, 961, 011 of which R19, 614, 184, 427 was not refunded by 28 February 2017. It should be noted that the rand value represent the amount as supplied by the vendor on the return.
(ii) The total number of VAT refunds claimed for the period 1 March 2016 to 28 February 2017 was 343, 674 of which 43, 650 claims were not refunded by 28 February 2017. It should be noted that only returns required during the period in question were included. The information therefore excludes all late returns and / or carry over from previous years.
(iii) The total value of VAT refunds still being audited as at 28 February 2017 was R17, 345, 095, 383.
(iv)(aa)(bb) The age analysis on value and numbers are as follows:
|
AGE - Refund claimed, not refunded by 28 February 2017 |
Volume |
Value (R) |
% Num |
%Value |
|
0 to 1 Month |
25 484 |
-R 15 618 903 496.32 |
58% |
80% |
|
2 to 3 Months |
8 159 |
-R 2 306 849 282.77 |
19% |
12% |
|
4 to 6 Months |
5 407 |
-R 1 167 860 197.89 |
12% |
6% |
|
7 to 9 Months |
3 113 |
-R 372 262 868.44 |
7% |
2% |
|
10 to 12 Months |
1 487 |
-R 148 308 582.46 |
3% |
1% |
|
|
43 650 |
-R 19 614 184 427.88 |
|
|
2. While I am unable to verify the above data, I have, as you are aware, approved the request by the Tax Ombud, Judge Ngoepe, to undertake a systemic investigation into VAT refunds and related matters given the unusual number of complaints received by the Ombud’s office.