The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has welcomed an order by the North Gauteng High Court granting a preservation order in terms of Section 163 of the Tax Administration Act, 2011 against Gold Leaf Tobacco Corporation and its directors. SARS had been investigating and clamping down on the illicit economy focusing on tobacco, gold and fuel industry over the last year, and this is one of the many enforcement steps executed by SARS.
The revenue authority said that it was harnessing its capabilities to make non-compliance with legal tax obligations hard and costly to those who are engaged in this criminal pursuit. The preservation order is obtained to prevent realisable assets from being dissipated, thus frustrating the collection of taxes.
“The conduct of non-compliant taxpayers is depriving Government of legitimate resources to the prejudice of both the state and the South African public. In aggressively addressing this scourge, SARS will continue to pursue its mandate without fear, favour or prejudice,” says SARS Commissioner.
For further information, please contact SARSMEDIA@sars.gov.za