Tag: compromise of tax debt

Burying your head in the sand will not protect you from a tax debt owed to South African Revenue Service (SARS). The imminent threat to your bank balance will not simply "blow over". You will likely resurface to find SARS has attached your savings, leaving you with no legal recourse for recovery.

Landing in a position of indebtedness to South African Revenue Service (SARS) can be quite a stressful journey on its own; if forgetting to leave room for crypto profits or gain, in your suitcase, the destination becomes all that more daunting.

When it comes to non-compliance, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) takes no prisoners, and has the full backing of the presidency, in its drive to stop tax evasion and other fraudulent activities related to the fiscus, with President Cyril Ramaphosa praising the revenue authority’s efforts in tackling tax dodgers and those benefitting from criminal proceeds.

The question of 'Selective Prosecution' has been asked since 2007 when the South African Revenue Service (SARS) started using lifestyle audits on private individuals. The selection basis, was the means of the individual, in contrast to their standard of living, and was conducted on individuals where there was a suspicion of criminal activity.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has made evident its no-nonsense stance in media statements over the preceding months and shown that actions speak louder than words in light of the recent judgements of the Pretoria High Court on the state capture loot, and Zuma’s tax records.

It has long been on the cards that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) should upgrade their systems and modernise the fact of tax in South Africa. This would enable the easier facilitation of compliance for the country’s growing tax base.

Provisional tax season brings with it the heightened panic of many taxpayers upon the discovery of penalties and interest suddenly imposed by SARS. The disgruntled taxpayer seeks immediate recourse through his attorney, hoping for some sort of justice to be served, but alas the attorney is worn down by complex tax calculations, the onerous and incessant engagement with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the ambitious endeavours to deliver a favourable outcome to their client.