The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has appointed a team of debt collectors to recover R16.6 billion worth of debt owed to the revenue service.
“SARS has appointed eight debt collection agencies to recover as much as possible of the R16.6-billion in debt owed to SARS. The objective is to boost revenue collection by outsourcing the recovery of older and relatively small amounts due to SARS,” said the revenue service on Friday.
The agencies appointed are CSS Credit Solution Services (Pty) Ltd, ITC Business Administrators (Pty) Ltd, Medaco Capital Services (Pty) Ltd, New Integrated Credit Solutions (Pty) Ltd, Norman Bisset & Associates Group (Pty) Ltd, Revenue Consulting (Pty) Ltd, Transactional Capital Recoveries (Pty) Ltd and Van De Venter Mojapelo (Pty) Ltd.
The revenue service said taxpayers and traders with outstanding accounts will only be contacted via electronic channels.
Traditional debt collection
The agencies will embark on the traditional debt collection activities, including outbound calls; tracing of taxpayers, sending out notices (can be SMSs, emails or letters/notices).
“Under no circumstances should debtors pay money directly to the debt collection agency. All outstanding tax or duties must only be paid directly to SARS via authorised payment channels,” said SARS.
In addition, the agencies have also been tasked with encouraging non-compliant taxpayers to submit their outstanding returns to SARS so as to avoid the imposition of any further interest or penalties and criminal charges.
“SARS invites all taxpayers to please co-operate with the service providers above. Failure to do this could result in criminal prosecution. The revenue it collects is vital for fuelling the growth and development of our country and assisting SARS to achieve its tough target of R1.217 trillion.”
It said that compliant taxpayers, who pay their dues, should be proud that they contribute to this national agenda as responsible citizens.
The revenue service thanked these taxpayers adding that it is committed to improving its service to the taxpaying public while introducing measures to make it easier for all taxpayers to comply with their fiscal obligations.
Those with queries are encouraged to contact the SARS Contact Centre at 0800 00 7277 (0800 00 SARS) and they can visit SARS website at www.sars.gov.za to validate the agencies’ mandate to engage them. - SAnews.gov.za
