Global Minimum Tax: SARS Tightens Compliance
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SARS issued communication regarding moving to the next stage of administering South Africa’s Global Minimum Tax (GMT) regime, with an implementation milestone planned for 18 September 2026.
The Global Minimum Tax, also referred to as the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) Rules, forms part of South Africa’s commitment to international tax transparency and cooperation. SARS says the next phase will create a more connected compliance environment covering submissions, payments, assessments, information exchange and stakeholder support.
What is changing?
According to SARS, the enhanced GMT administration will include:
improved GMT information exchange with other jurisdictions, including local outgoing and foreign incoming information;
GMT03 processing where a foreign entity submits on behalf of a local group and a South African payment reference may be required;
enhanced payment administration, including payment-reference management and payment clarification;
processes relating to revised and estimated assessments and refunds; and
the possibility of administrative penalties where GMT compliance obligations are not met, subject to the applicable legal and administrative processes.
What should practitioners do?
SARS is encouraging affected multinational enterprise (MNE) groups, filing entities, tax practitioners and authorised representatives to
Practitioners should:
prepare by reviewing their eFiling registration information, including RAV01 details, authorised representatives, user access rights and contact information.
confirm who is responsible internally for GMT compliance, SARS correspondence, submissions and payments, and establish whether the group's GMT obligations may involve a local submission, foreign submission or GMT03-related processing.
affected stakeholders should monitor SARS correspondence, including acknowledgement letters, outcome letters, assessment notices and validation-related communications. Correct GMT payment-reference information should be used where applicable, and payments should not be made without referring to approved SARS guidance.
Practical point for accountants
Accountants and tax practitioners dealing with affected MNE groups should start checking their clients' SARS registration and eFiling information now, rather than waiting for a submission or payment problem to arise. SARS advises stakeholders to continue relying on its official GMT guidance and updates for confirmed requirements and dates.
GMT-related enquiries can be directed to LBqueries.Globe@sars.gov.za.
