No Tax Returns, No Mercy: SARS Cracks Down on Tax Dodgers — Even Ex-Springboks
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Even rugby royalty doesn’t get a free pass from SARS. Former Springbok Schalk Burger Snr has been convicted on 14 counts for failing to submit tax returns, including VAT, PAYE, and personal income tax dating as far back as 2011. His penalty? A fine of R56,000 or 112 months in jail, plus another R28,000 conditionally suspended.
Burger’s company, Welbedacht Wines (Pty) Ltd, wasn’t spared either, convicted for not submitting VAT and PAYE returns for early 2023, though it received a suspended fine. Despite being registered for VAT since 2004 and PAYE since 2010, Burger ignored repeated SARS reminders. The missing returns were only filed after prosecution began. His son, Christiaan Burger, also recently faced conviction for a similar tax offence.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has made it clear: filing season is not optional, and SARS isn’t messing around.
“The NPA welcomes this sentence as it sends a strong message of deterrence on several levels. With the filing season for income tax currently underway, this is a clear message that failure by persons and juristic persons to file their Income Tax returns will not be tolerated.”
📣 Submitting tax returns is no longer optional. Inform your clients. Talk to your practice. Remind everyone: SARS doesn’t play when it comes to non-compliance.
