Tag: Tax Administration Act (TAA)

The Commissioner of the South African Revenue Services (SARS), Edward Kieswetter, briefed the media and stakeholders on 30 July 2020 to provide an update in terms of SARS’ plans in respect of the 2020 Filing Season. The theme for this year’s filing season is #YourTaxMatters.

An interview with Jean-Louis Nel, Tax Attorney, Tax Consulting SA, and Dr Ivor Blumenthal, CEO, ArkKonsult, discussing how the Pretoria High Court granted a small business owner an urgent basis for relief against SARS who depleted his bank account without following due process.

Earlier this month, the Pretoria High Court granted a small business owner an urgent basis for relief against the South African Revenue Service (SARS) who depleted his bank account without following due process. The court ordered SARS to set aside the third appointment of Absa who collected R1.3 million on behalf of SARS from the taxpayer’s bank account in terms of Section 179 of the Tax Administration Act (TAA).

The High Court in Pretoria recently ruled that taxpayers have a right to be notified before SARS appoints an agent to collect ‘outstanding tax debt’. This is a victory for both taxpayer rights and the wider cause of administrative justice.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has taken several precautionary measures in response to the risk of infection from COVID-19 which are aligned with and are in support of the initiatives implemented by the Department of Health.

The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) welcomes the gazetting of the Auditing Profession Amendment Bill (APA Bill), and commits to supporting initiatives aimed at improving the regulatory environment in order to restore trust in South African capital markets. SAICA is looking forward to making a positive contribution in this amendment process. 

Can there be a settlement with SARS if an objection was raised out of time? What are the advantages of reaching a settlement? What are the costs of not resolving a dispute?

We were asked what Mr Edward Kieswetter’s first actions should be when he takes over the reins at SARS on 1 May. The answer for us was a no-brainer, crack down on those implicated in the State Capture Inquiry, starting with the beans spilled on Bosasa.  

For those who have been subjected to a SARS audit, it may be hard to imagine a reality where this experience can be any more agonising. If this resonates with you, perhaps consider a world where SARS makes you pay for the resources it had to expend in putting you through this ordeal. The truth is, it can.

When you get audited by SARS, before payment of your Value-Added Tax (VAT) refund, expect a long road accompanied by lots of frustration. Adding to this is that usually when a refund is claimed, it is often when your business really needs the cash flow.