Johannesburg – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is owed R523 billion in undisputed tax debt as of December 2025 and may struggle to meet its higher debt-collection target for the 2025/26 financial year.
According to SABC News Since April 2025, SARS has collected R71.2 billion, putting it on track to reach its baseline target of R100 billion by March 2026, but below the more ambitious R135 billion goal.
In December 2025 alone, SARS collected R8.7 billion, which was higher than the previous year but still below its monthly target.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is owed R523 billion undisputed debt from taxpayers as of December 2025. SARS has collected R71 billion since April 2025, but data indicates that the revenue service may not succeed in collecting their target goal of R135 billion by March… pic.twitter.com/El1CD2RKDE
— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 2, 2026
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has prioritised collecting undisputed debt — tax that is legally due and not under dispute — as part of efforts to strengthen revenue, although it remains uncertain whether collections will accelerate enough before the financial year ends.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
