The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is cracking down on noncompliant taxpayers, “including prominent South Africans”, a move seen as a renewed bid by the receiver of revenue to claw back its credibility amid low tax morality. SARS has vowed to pursue cases against those who fail to file returns. This also comes in the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa suspending commissioner Tom Moyane, citing a loss in confidence in the commissioner’s ability to lead SARS. SARS has come under flak for the erosion of the institution, which has weighed heavily on taxpayer confidence. It estimates that as at the end of March, active taxpayers owed the revenue service about R30m in returns. “The significant drop in the submission of returns was one of the key indicators pointing to decreased compliance,” SARS said on Monday. Acting commissioner Mark Kingon said earlier in April he would focus on restoring SARS’s dented credibility. “SARS has, over the past few years, experienced an unacceptable in...

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