Cape Town – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued an apology to taxpayers for sending a threatening text message warning of possible criminal action for failing to submit their income tax returns.
Numerous South African taxpayers were sent SMS messages by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on Tuesday evening.
I receive a threatening sms yesterday from SARS for a company I deregistered more than 2 years ago.
I don’t think SARS speaks to CIPC folks at all.
It’s really unfair what is happening pic.twitter.com/oXiYOmDiun
— Constitution First 🇿🇦 (@Constitution_94) October 25, 2023
The use of intimidating language prompted taxpayers to express their discontent on social media, as they believed it was an unprofessional attempt to coerce them into compliance.
The SMS urged taxpayers to file their returns within ten days to avoid administrative penalties and the potential issuance of a summons.
SARS clarified that the message was intended as a genuine reminder to fulfill legal obligations and emphasised that it does not initiate legal actions without engaging with taxpayers first.
It acknowledged that the SMS fell short of professional standards, apologised for any frustration or inconvenience, and put the SMS service on hold.
Media Release: SARS apologises to taxpayers
SARS strives to always clarify and remind taxpayers of their obligation in law, as well as the potential consequences should they not comply.
Notwithstanding the legal mandate of SARS to act against taxpayers who fail to comply, it…
— SA Revenue Service (@sarstax) October 26, 2023
“Most taxpayers are honest and ordinarily appreciate such reminders. Honest taxpayers should not feel threatened by Sars but, unfortunately, the way the message was crafted had this effect. The message regrettably refers to possible prosecution of taxpayers for their failure to file their returns as they are legally obligated to do.
“While Sars is empowered by law to remind all taxpayers that are still registered with Sars of their legal obligation to file their relevant returns by the due date, Sars does not commence legal action before engaging with taxpayers,” SARS said.
The tax collector reminded taxpayers of their legal obligation to regularise their tax affairs and warned that noncompliance may have consequences in the future.
” SMS message that was sent out earlier this week, about outstanding returns, fell short of the high professional standard we seek to uphold. Sars therefore sincerely apologises for how this matter was handled, the frustration it may have caused honest taxpayers, and any inconvenience caused,” it said.
Sars said it has put the SMSs on hold.
“In this respect, Sars wishes to remind taxpayers that it remains their legal obligation to ensure that their tax affairs are regularised, where these are not in order.
“We need to be clear that taxpayers who continue to ignore reminders and fail to regularise their tax matters, in accordance with the law, will eventually have to answer for their continued noncompliance,” Sars said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
