IT is that time of year again when employees have to submit their tax returns.
But doing so turned into a nightmare for one Mtubatuba resident after his SARS profile was hacked.
Jan Joubert has been using the same firm of accountants for six years to submit his annual tax return via e-filing – a simple process.
This year, however, the firm was unable to log into Joubert’s SARS profile, allegedly owing to a loophole in the old SARS system.
‘According to SARS, on 4 July last year a certain RB Mbuysi asked for an override code as he was going to do my e-filing.
‘Nobody knows this guy or requested him to do my tax,’ said Joubert, who said this individual was able to apply for and receive an override code in just seven days before being able to fraudulently log into his profile.
‘Fortunately for me, my tax had already been filed.’
Had this not been the case, any rebate owed to Joubert could have been paid into the hacker’s bank account.
After three weeks of telephone calls to SARS, Joubert obtained his original password, allowing him to log into his account but not submit via e-filing.
Joubert’s accountants contacted SARS’ fraud department whose representatives allegedly said only Mr Mbuysi, who fraudulently took control of Joubert’s profile, can give him the access code.
‘The two telephone numbers and email address of this guy provided by SARS do not exist,’ said Joubert.
Only after threatening media involvement was Joubert issued with a new access code, allowing him full access to his own profile.
SARS failed to respond to the Zululand Observer’s questions on this matter.
DID YOU KNOW?
Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.
For news straight to your phone invite us:
BBM – 25A0BF5A or 2B7993C8
WhatsApp – 072 069 4169
