South African expatriates risk severe financial penalties or even criminal prosecution if they under-declare income or fail to cease tax residency properly, as SARS now uses global data-sharing and AI tools to identify non-compliance.
Tax Consulting SA’s expatriate tax specialist Mbalenhle Mahlaba, SARS compliance specialist Alex Mahundla, and tax attorney Junaid Bhayla warned that taxpayers should avoid criminal summons at all costs.
“In terms of the Tax Administration Act, the accused is obliged to submit tax returns for assessment by a specific return date,” the summons reads.
Sam Busa