SARS Commissioner’s Term Nears Its End – What’s Next for the Tax Agency?
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The term of Edward Kieswetter, Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS), is coming to an end in 2026. His contract was extended by two years in April 2024 to allow for an orderly leadership transition. Recent public discussion has fuelled speculation about whether he will leave office at the end of that term. Appointed in 2019, Kieswetter’s leadership came at a critical time, following a period of organisational decline identified by the Nugent Commission.
Achievements under Kieswetter’s leadership
Technology-driven modernisation – Upgraded SARS systems and processes to improve efficiency and compliance.
Auto-assessments – Introduced in 2021, now reaching around 6 million taxpayers, simplifying filing and reducing turnaround times.
Specialised compliance units – Revived the High Wealth Individual Unit and launched a dedicated cryptocurrency tax unit.
Revenue growth – Consistently delivered record collections despite a shrinking tax base and economic headwinds, with a target of over R2 trillion for 2025/26.
Crisis management – Maintained service levels during the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenging economic conditions.
What Will Happen Next?
With his contract approaching its end, the question is: who will lead SARS into its next phase, and how will the agency maintain its momentum in technology-driven reform and revenue growth?
