{
  "id": 12571450,
  "title": "SARS is going digital",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/07/sars-is-going-digital",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-07T06:31:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ITWeb",
    "slug": "itweb",
    "url": "https://www.itweb.co.za/article/sars-is-going-digital/DZQ58MV8gV9vzXy2"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has released a consultation paper outlining a modernised VAT administration system, signalling a shift towards digital tax management. This proposal includes e-invoicing, interoperability, and e-reporting, aiming to create structured, secure and near real-time transaction data flows throughout the VAT ecosystem. While the specifics remain under consultation, the shift towards digital tax administration is becoming clear.\n\nFinance leaders are now faced with a critical question: is their financial data prepared for this digital future? One area gaining attention is accounts payable (AP) automation. Traditionally, supplier invoices are emailed, manually entered into accounting systems, routed for approval, matched against purchase orders, and finally processed for payment. This process can be time-consuming and prone to errors, especially for businesses handling large volumes of invoices.\n\nStephen Howe, Director at Times 3 Technologies (T3T), a Sage financial software Platinum partner, emphasizes that accounts payable has evolved into a strategic control point, influencing aspects such as cashflow, compliance, governance, and operational efficiency. By leveraging technologies like optical character recognition (OCR), intelligent document processing, and workflow automation, AP automation enables supplier invoices to be received digitally, automatically read and converted into draft payable transactions for review and approval without manual data entry. This streamlines the process, reducing errors, enhancing governance, and improving financial accuracy.\n\nAP automation aligns with the broader trend of a digital VAT model, helping businesses enhance financial accuracy while minimising manual administrative tasks. However, SARS's announcement does not mandate the immediate implementation of specific technology. Instead, it underscores the importance for organisations to evaluate whether their current finance processes, systems, and data can support a more digital and data-driven environment.\n\nMany businesses still heavily rely on spreadsheets, manual invoice capture, paper-based approvals, and disconnected systems, which can lead to inefficiencies, duplication of effort, and difficulties in maintaining accurate, auditable financial records at scale. As compliance requirements tighten and organisations seek greater operational agility, finance functions are increasingly tasked with delivering faster access to reliable information.\n\nThe benefits of AP automation extend beyond mere compliance. Faster invoice processing can improve supplier relationships, provide real-time visibility into liabilities for better cashflow management, and allow finance professionals to shift their focus from transaction processing to business performance analysis. However, Howe warns that technology alone does not guarantee success. Effective automation requires strong governance, clear controls, high-quality data, and human oversight; technology merely enables better outcomes rather than replacing accountability.\n\nAs South Africa moves towards a more digitally-focused tax environment, organisations that proactively modernise their finance operations will be better prepared for future regulatory changes while simultaneously unlocking efficiency, visibility, and resilience benefits today. The takeaway for finance leaders is clear: don't wait for regulatory deadlines. Investing in digital finance capabilities now can deliver immediate operational advantages while positioning businesses for an increasingly interconnected and data-driven future.",
  "summary": "Building digital finance capability now can deliver immediate operational value while preparing businesses for a connected and data-driven future, says Stephen Howe, director at Times 3 Technologies.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}