Heads Up: SARS and Tax Ombud Speak Out on eFiling Profile Hijackings
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SARS and the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) have issued a joint statement to address growing concerns about the hijacking of taxpayer eFiling profiles. This comes after a recent article in the Sowetan reported a rise in cybercrime cases involving compromised eFiling accounts. Both SARS and the OTO say the article was released before a formal draft report was made public and included a number of factual inaccuracies.
The Investigation into Efiling Hijackings
The OTO has confirmed that it has been investigating cases of eFiling profile hijacking for over a year. These investigations were launched in response to numerous complaints from both taxpayers and tax practitioners, and they highlight serious financial and data security risks facing users of the SARS eFiling platform. Although SARS and the OTO operate independently, both organisations emphasise their commitment to working together in the interest of taxpayers. SARS describes the OTO as a valuable partner in building a fair and transparent tax system and says that cooperation between the two is key to restoring trust in the eFiling system.
Draft Report Coming 1 October
The OTO’s draft report on profile hijackings will be released to the public on 1 October 2025. The report was delayed to allow SARS time to provide input and ensure that the findings and recommendations are accurate and fair. While there may still be some differing views between SARS and the OTO, both organisations agree that this collaborative process will strengthen the final report.
Cybersecurity Risks on the Rise
With more personal and financial data being managed online, criminals are finding new ways to exploit system vulnerabilities. These include weak passwords, poor data protection practices, and unauthorised access to sensitive information. SARS, as the primary agency for tax collection and refunds, remains a major target for these attacks and is actively working to improve its security systems.
Taxpayers Urged to Stay Vigilant
SARS is reminding all taxpayers to protect their login details, use strong passwords, and avoid sharing account information. Suspicious activity should be reported to SARS immediately. Tax practitioners are also encouraged to take extra care in safeguarding their clients’ digital profiles and sensitive data.
If you aware of unusual activity on eFiling accounts, these should be raised immediately. When released on 1 October, the OTO’s findings in the draft report will offer insight into the extent of the problem and outline proposed solutions.
SARS will remains fully committed to protecting taxpayers and ensuring that the SARS platform remains secure and trustworthy. The Tax Ombud added that the OTO takes these matters seriously and is focused on producing practical solutions and protecting taxpayers and maintaining the integrity of South Africa’s tax system.
