Businessman fined R82,000 for failing to submit tax returns

The Bellville Magistrate's Court has fined yet another businessman after he failed to submit income tax returns, Pay as You Earn returns, and VAT returns.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said Roelof Serdyn was fined R82 000 with R42 000 payable immediately after the sentence and the balance of R40 000 paid in monthly instalments of R5 000.

The ruling comes just days after Ismail Mayet, 62, was fined R96 000 for the same failures. 

Ntabazalila said in Serdyn's case, a further cumulative amount of R164 000 or in the alternative 246 months imprisonment was suspended for a period of five years on certain conditions.

"Serdyn was charged with his company, Akvaba (Pty) Ltd, but charges against his company were withdrawn after it was liquidated," Ntabazalila said. 

"The court heard that Akvaba was registered as a taxpayer and was therefore obligated to comply with all tax obligations towards the South African Revenue Services (SARS).

"Roelof Serdyn was the representative taxpayer, employer and representative vendor of Akvaba.

"The offenses were committed between August 2018 and February 2024 and he was convicted of one count of failure to submit an income tax return, eight counts of failure to submit Pay as You Earn (EMP201) returns and 32 counts of failure to submit VAT returns - all in contravention of the Tax Administration Act.

"The accused ignored the reminders and final demand notices SARS issued to him. When he was summonsed to appear in court, the returns were submitted.

"This case serves as a warning to persons acting as representative vendors, representative employers and public officers...that these duties and responsibilities should not be taken lightly as non compliance with such duties will have serious consequences for such incumbents in their personal capacity."

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