SARS issues warning on unregistered tax practitioners

South Africa's tax authority the South African Revenue Service (Sars) is warning taxpayers about using unregistered tax practitioners when filing their taxes. 

In a post on X, Sars said: Using unregistered individuals to perform the work of a Tax Practitioner is risky to you and your tax compliance. Always verify the registration status of your tax practitioner with SARS. Protect yourself."

According to Sars, Section 240(1) of Chapter 18 of the Tax Administration Act governs the registration of Tax Practitioners.

The tax authority said they are aware of unregistered individuals offering to help taxpayers with their tax dealings. 

The use of unregistered tax practitioners is illegal and dangerous. It can result in taxpayers becoming non-compliant, resulting in having to deal with Sars on the issue of tax compliance.

According to Sars, the sharing of login credentials is against the law. Taxpayers must never share their electronic usernames and passwords including their eFiling credentials with anyone.

Some of the risks that are involved with using an unregistered tax practitioner include:

- the person could not have sufficient or the correct knowledge of tax laws

- the person could not have enough knowledge of the Sars processes and systems

How to ensure that you are using a registered tax practitioner

Ask for their tax practitioner registration number that is issued after the person is registered with the recognised controlling body and Sars.

The tax practitioner number can be verified on the Sars website and taxpayers can get real time responses to their requests. 

Taxpayers can report individuals who are unregistered tax practitioners to Sars. 

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