Sars conducts "telephone audits"

[kaspaas]

Be very caareful...

http://www.moneywebtax.co.za/moneywebtax/view/moneywebtax/en/page259?oid=3403&sn=Detail

Sars conducts "telephone audits"
23 April 2008

Be careful what you say.

A number of taxpayers recently received a telephone call from the taxman. It transpires that the caller usually identifies himself as an employee of Sars and then proceeds to ask a number of questions pertaining to a recent tax return. It is usually at the end of the call that the exercise is described by the caller as a so-called "telephone audit".

Taxpayers should be careful under these circumstances. An obvious risk is the verification of the identity of the caller. Furthermore, verbal communication can be misconstrued.

Taxpayers are advised

1. Not to provide any information telephonically unless the identity of the caller can be verified and the taxpayer is absolutely sure about the facts and detail of the information that Sars requests;
2. To request the caller to submit the questions in writing;
3. To seek the assistance of a professional tax consultant under appropriate circumstances; and
4. To answer the questions in writing.

*This article first appeared in BDO's Tax Flash

Have you had a telephone call, should Sars be calling you? Tell us what you think by commenting below...

 

[Syndyre]

Just saw this too, seems quite dodgy.

 

[sox63]

Who falls for these things?

 

[Syndyre]

Who falls for these things?

80% of the country?

 

[Lycanthrope]

80% of the country?

*nod* *nod*

Right along with those people that hand out R5,000-odd for a plane ticket and taxi because some Cadillac of mankind claims he won the lottery and will pay it back with interest.

 

[aadil-old]

Yesterday, some black dude phone's me and say's he calling from SARS about VAT Refund. I knew he wasn't for real immediately.

 

[gregmcc]

/me shakes his head...identity theft - its been going on for years and people still fall for it. Never disclose any information.
As Manuel would say...I know nooooothing!

 

[zeridine]

i got a phone call like that from a black oke about a month ago. gave the guy a piece of my mind after he said sars cant find my payments for last year (and that i'll be prosecuted accordingly). the numbers he quoted was spot on and asked proof of payment (to which i later complied). i was so mad i nearly had a stroke. thought about it possibly being someone getting info on me for something similar to identity theft, but phoned the number back he called from - which was the sars HQ in pta (same as on the forms). so either its their own corrupt employees scamming people or you just got to do what they say "or else"... i hate the incompetence in this country.

 

[Ady]

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