A tax consultant was arrested by the police today following a SARS investigation into suspected fraud.
The suspect, a former SARS employee, allegedly submitted fraudulent IT returns to SARS accompanied by false IRP5 employee tax certificates.
Following a search at her premises several items were found, including stolen SARS stamps as well as the IRP5 books used to forge the IRP5 certificates.
The suspect handed herself over to the police's Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit today and was given a R5 000 bail.
The arrest forms part of SARS' commitment to dealing with unscrupulous tax advisors and consultants. Attempts to cheat the fiscus will not be tolerated by SARS. Any attempt to cheat the fiscus through the abuse of hard-earned salaried employees is plain immoral and should be treated with contempt by the public.
SARS calls on the public to report such suspicious activities to our anti-fraud and corruption hotline at 0800 00 28 70
SARS has always identified corruption as a threat to the principles of utmost integrity, honesty and fairness.
SARS has obtained witness statements from the five clients involved.
ISSUED BY THE COMMISSIONER FOR THE SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICE
PRETORIA