SARS has warned against the non-compliance of taxpayers, following the arrest and suspension of a company director for failing to submit tax returns while the company was actively trading.
The South African Revenue Services (SARS) issued a statement on Thursday, 19 August 2021, in which it revealed that a company director has been found guilty of submitting nil VAT returns to SARS, while the business was actively trading. Lefa Tsaoane, director of the catering and accommodation company, Above Limits Trading CC, is said to have been convicted of 10 counts of fraud.
As a result, he has been sentenced to five years of imprisonment, and has also been fully suspended for five years. SARS confirmed that following a criminal investigation conducted by the organisation, a further condition of the suspended sentence was established; for the accused to reimburse SARS of the amount of R400 853.
The company is said to have been sentenced to a fine of R500 000, fully suspended for five years, and R10 000, fully suspended for two years, on a separate count. SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter stated that SARS could not afford such leakage in revenue, especially now when the country is in economic recovery and facing the effects of the pandemic. Kieswetter further stated, “This kind of behaviour is inexcusable when government is actually providing relief to companies affected by violence and the pandemic.”
See the post below.
Media Release: Company director ordered to pay back the money to SARS
The director of a company found guilty of submitting nil VAT returns while the business was actively trading, has been ordered to pay SARS an amount of R400 853… https://t.co/weUckijZwd
— SA Revenue Service (@sarstax) August 19, 2021
