SARS crackdown against errant taxpayers
"SARS will use every legal instrument at its disposal to make it hard and costly for such taxpayers and traders.”
The assets belonging to the practice of two diagnostic radiologists of Drs Mkhabele and Indunah Diaganostic Radiologists Inc were attached by the sheriff of the high court at Louis Pasteur hospital in the Pretoria CBD. This was part of a promised crackdown against non-compliant taxpayers and traders by SARS.
SARS commissioner Edward Kieswetter said the assets were attached due to outstanding returns and a tax debt of R52-million.
The debt emanated from the submission of various returns to SARS, including company income tax, Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) and Value-Added Tax (VAT) returns, without payments over three years.
Kieswetter said the taxpayer had applied to SARS for a compromise which was declined.
“The letter of decline was sent to the taxpayer together with a new final demand letter; however, the taxpayer did not respond to both the final demand and decline letter.”
The attachment of hospital equipment follows the sheriff also auctioning off assets of Edison Power Gauteng Pty Ltd, an electrical contracting company, for submitting returns without payment.
“The assets, attached in September last year, are estimated to be R20-million. Edison’s non-compliance took place over two years,” said Kieswetter.
He said SARS had adopted a clear strategic objective to make compliance easy and simple for taxpayers while providing clarity and certainty about their compliance obligations.
“We regard the overwhelming majority of taxpayers as honest and willing to comply. In so doing they contribute to raising the revenue needed to help build a capable state that can provide for the well-being of all citizens.
“However, willful and criminal non-compliance from whatever source, will not be tolerated. SARS will use every legal instrument at its disposal to make it hard and costly for such taxpayers and traders,” he said.
Rekord reached out to Drs Mkhabele and Indunah Diaganostic Radiologists Inc, who responded that “at the moment we cannot speak to media, however, you may reach the hospital for comment”.
Louis Pasteur Private Hospital spokesperson Michael Sadiki said the hospital could not comment on Dr Mkhabele and Induna X-ray department, mainly because they were service providers.
“Their affairs with SARS is private so the hospital won’t interfere. The hospital utilises a variety of service providers for X-rays other than Mkhabele; therefore, we are satisfied that our business won’t be affected,” said Sadiki.
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