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Sars paid 94 top managers R270m in 2025/26

Published

The South African Revenue Service's annual report shows the average package for its top managers was R2.87m. Sars also collected net tax revenue of R2.01-trillion, above its revised target of R2-trillion.

The R270m paid to top managers equals R5.2m a week. Former commissioner Edward Kieswetter received R11.83m in the financial year. Five executive positions together cost R33.03m, down from R33.11m in 2024/25.

Net tax revenue rose 8.4% on the previous financial year. Gross collections were R2.468-trillion and Sars paid R457.9bn in refunds. Personal income tax brought in R793.9bn, value-added tax R500.6bn and company income tax R349.3bn.

Overall personnel spending was R9.34bn, including R627.99m in performance rewards across the workforce. The cost of collection was 0.75% of net tax revenue. The Auditor-General of South Africa gave Sars a clean audit outcome.

Sars referred 211 cases to the National Prosecuting Authority, with a combined potential loss of R4.37bn. It secured 135 guilty verdicts, including 12 custodial sentences totalling 77 years. Its AI assistant Lwazi answered 2.7-million taxpayer questions. Johnstone Makhubu is the new commissioner, in a five-year term that began in May.

Key facts

Who
Edward Kieswetter (former Sars commissioner, received R11.83m remuneration in the financial year); Johnstone Makhubu (new Sars commissioner, five-year term commencing in May this year); South African Revenue Service (tax authority that published the annual report); Auditor-General of South Africa (gave Sars a clean audit outcome)
What
The South African Revenue Service's 2025/26 annual report shows R270m paid to 94 top managers, with average packages of R2.87m per person, and net tax revenue of R2.01-trillion, above its revised R2-trillion target.
When
22 October 2026
Where
South Africa
Status
Reported

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