Edward Kieswetter

Under Kieswetter, SARS extended auto-assessment in 2020 using information from employers, banks and other third parties. Eligible taxpayers could accept the prepared assessment instead of completing a return from scratch. Subsequent reports recorded millions of assessments, showing delivery beyond an announcement. The benefit depends on reliable data: people with missing income or deductions must be able to review and correct the result. Automation is useful here when it reduces work without taking that opportunity away.