Taxpayers face tougher SARS litigation in tax disputes

Taxpayers have been warned that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is taking a tougher approach to defending tax assessments.

South African taxpayers have been warned that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is becoming increasingly aggressive in defending tax assessments, with more disputes being pushed towards litigation.

According to Nico Theron, founder of Unicus Tax Specialists, the revenue service is becoming more willing to defend its assessments in court.

He said taxpayers should act quickly when they disagree with an assessment and treat the matter as a dispute from the start.

"SARS is much more inclined to push matters into litigation to make their assessments stick.”