The SA Revenue Service (SARS) has apologised to taxpayers who received threatening messages about outstanding returns.
Earlier in the week, SARS sent a communique to taxpayers saying taxpayers will be arrested for not paying tax.
The messages caused an outcry on social media, with many taxpayers stating that they do not owe the taxman.
Taxman apologises
The revenue service has since issued a statement apologising, saying it is striving to always clarify and remind taxpayers of their obligation, as well as the potential consequences should they not comply with the law.
Nevertheless, the revenue service said it has the legal mandate to act against taxpayers who fail to comply with the law.
“It is generally expected that we first remind and give the taxpayers the opportunity to comply ahead of SARS commencing legal action,” it said in a statement.
“However, SARS sincerely apologises for the manner in which this matter was handled, the frustration it may have caused honest taxpayers, and any inconvenience caused.
“The SMS message that was sent out earlier this week, in relation to outstanding returns, fell short of the high professional standard we seek to uphold.”
The revenue service further said the message was a genuine and helpful reminder to taxpayers to file tax returns due and fulfil their legal filing obligation.
“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.”
SMS system put on hold
SARS revealed that it has put the SMS system 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.
“SARS will engage with taxpayers with respect to outstanding returns at the appropriate time,” it added.
While SARS is empowered by law to remind all taxpayers that are still registered with it of their legal obligation to file their relevant returns by the due date, the taxman does not commence legal action before engaging with taxpayers.
“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 non-compliance.”
Not SARS telling everyone they’ll get arrested in the next 10 days😂😂🤦🏽♂️
— Tendi (@tendelanani) October 24, 2023
