Confectioners hit in SARS clampdown

THE SOUTH African Revenue Service (SARS) last week raided sections of the sugar confectionery industry in Cape Town in a clampdown on tax evasion and customs violations in the sector.
The raids follow investigations which uncovered worrying levels of non-compliance and serious contraventions of the Income Tax, Customs and Excise and Foreign Exchange Acts.
Numerous cases of fraud, under-evaluation of imports, inflation of exports, duplication of invoices and currency leaving and entering South Africa without proper authorisation were uncovered by SARS.
Some companies had also refused to submit tax returns despite numerous requests by SARS.
Most are large organisations and supply confectionery and sweets to wholesalers and retail stores throughout the country.
SARS is working closely with other law enforcement agencies to press both criminal and civil charges against the culprits.