SARS to crack down on VAT fraud

JOHANNESBURG - The South African Revenue Service has introduced a stricter process in the VAT registration for small businesses.

SARS says the new rules are aimed at combatting a recent rise in scams.

The Revenue Service says it believes large numbers of registrations are being conducted with an eye to committing fraud.

READ: How changes to VAT affect compliance among small firms

All applicants are now required to submit documents in person.

Appointments will also have to be pre-booked on the SARS website.

Some tax experts say the new rules are archaic and will hurt small businesses by delaying the issuing of VAT numbers.

The Revenue Service has introduced a stricter process for VAT registration for small businesses. SARS says the new rules aim to combat the recent rise in scams. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/vrgs5jpA0H

— eNCA (@eNCA) May 12, 2023