SARS Dispels Report on Widespread eFiling Profile Hijacking
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has officially rejected a recent report detailing extensive eFiling profile hijackings, a claim that had generated considerable unease within the taxpaying community. The report erroneously suggested that approximately 16,000 taxpayers had their digital eFiling profiles compromised by cybercriminals, potentially leading to the fraudulent loss of tax refunds. Both SARS and the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) have firmly stated that this particular report regarding eFiling profiles hijacking contained inaccurate information. They further clarified that the precise details and findings would be presented comprehensively upon the release of the official ombud’s report, scheduled for October 1st.
The Genesis of the Tax Profile Scrutiny
This significant issue came to the forefront following a request made by the Tax Ombud to the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, in August 2024. The Ombud had sought approval for a formal investigation into how SARS has managed cases where taxpayers’ eFiling profiles were believed to have been unlawfully accessed. This move was prompted by a surge of complaints from individual taxpayers and various industry groups, which began to surface as early as June 2024. In response, both the South African Revenue Service and the Office of the Tax Ombud confirmed their ongoing commitment to these investigations, revealing that they have been collaboratively scrutinizing these cases of compromised tax profiles for over a year now, working to understand the scope and implications for South African taxpayers.
As the financial landscape continues to digitize, the security of online platforms like eFiling remains paramount for trust and integrity. SARS’s dismissal of the exaggerated claims, alongside the OTO’s confirmation, aims to provide clarity and reassure the public. All eyes will now be on the forthcoming official ombud’s report on October 1st, which is expected to deliver definitive insights and conclusions on the matter of eFiling security and any instances of profile compromise affecting South African taxpayers.
Keywords
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