Massive VAT problem for South Africa
The South African Revenue Service has a close to R500 billion pile of unpaid debt, with VAT being the worst offender.
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The South African Revenue Service has a close to R500 billion pile of unpaid debt, with VAT being the worst offender.
Nedbank has broken down several ways that South Africans can avoid paying tax on their estate after they die.
SARS’ tax data for the year shows who is paying the most income tax by location, gender, age and job sector.
South African taxpayers face another round of tax hikes in 2026, with the National Treasury’s plan to collect an additional R20 billion in tax revenue contingent on the success of SARS’s collection efforts.
SARS and the National Treasury have moved to allay concerns around changes to the definition of “bona fide inadvertent errors” in tax filings, noting that the stricter interpretation has specific taxpayers in mind.
Edward Kieswetter has collected over R1.1 trillion in compliance revenue during his time as SARS commissioner, having been instrumental in rebuilding this capacity following the destructive state capture years.
SARS is setting its sights squarely on the illicit economy in South Africa, which it says has grown to staggering levels.
Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says that R20 billion in additional tax measures for 2026 could be withdrawn if SARS fulfils its end of the bargain and collects more debt as promised.
SARS is afforded wide-reaching powers to come after tax abusers in the country, including warrantless searches of business properties, and taking money out of individuals’ bank accounts.