Report a tax crime

We want to make reporting easy for you. We have three online forms for different reasons:

1. If you are suspecting digital fraud, report it here.

• • Examples are if an eFiling profile is hacked, if a refund is paid into a fraudulent bank account or if identify fraud in the context of tax took place.
  • You decide if you want to remain anonymous.
  • Have the following handy:
    • Affidavit detailing the incident
    • Copy of ID
    • Any other evidentiary documents.

2. If you are suspecting a SARS staff member to be involved in malpractice or corruption, report it here.

• • Examples include requesting payment for a free SARS service (such as filing a tax return), promising/facilitating a tax refund or tenders, clearing debt or promising/facilitating the irregular release of goods or vehicles. 
  • You decide if you want to remain anonymous.
  • Have the following handy:
    • Specific details of the incident: what happened, when (include dates if possible) and where it happened
    • Who was involved
    • How the situation came about  and how communication took place (please upload screenshots).
    • Where available, names of individuals/entities. 

3. If you are suspecting a tax or customs crime, report it here.

• • Examples include where a person is legally obliged to register for tax but intentionally fails to do so, making false representations in the trader’s books of account or the making of a false statemen on a tax return. See more examples here. 
  • You decide if you want to remain anonymous.
  • Have the following handy:
    • It’s helpful if you have an ID number; Tax Reference number of the person you are reporting. But it’s not essential. Even a car registration number will help.
    • We’ll ask you if the crime is about business tax, personal tax or customs.

Or you can call us anonymously on 0800 00 2870.

You need to know that we won’t get back in touch with you with our progress as we can never discuss a person’s tax affairs with anyone else. But rest assured your contribution is vital and we will be looking into it. SARS is prohibited from providing feedback, even about whether or not an entity is under investigation. You will have to be patient and allow the transparent process SARS has introduced to manage the complaints received to take its course.

Your information is valuable to us. Reporting a tax crime is the right thing to do.

How the law protects you when you report a tax crime

SARS legislation, by implication, provides protection to people who report tax crime to SARS.

If you wish to report a tax crime to SARS, we will ask you to fill in a suspicious activity report. SARS will endeavour to protect your identity under any circumstance. The only instance where this may change is where your statement or testimony may be required during criminal proceedings. In such a case, various means to protect your identity exist in law. SARS will engage the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) with you to ensure these are considered.

Suppose the case affects national security or testifying presents a grave danger to you. In that case SARS will request the NPA to place you in a witness protection programme which the NPA administers.

Suppose you wish to report illegal tax practices that you believe have been committed by your employer or a public institution. In that case you will receive protection as a “whistleblower” under the Protected Disclosures Act. In such a case, please keep in mind that when reporting to SARS, you inform us that you are providing the information in terms of the Protected Disclosures Act No, 26 of 2000.