South African actress and media personality Pearl Thusi has responded to reports that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) issued her with a final demand over an alleged tax debt of nearly R15 million.
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According to reports citing the Sunday Times, the demand relates to approximately R9.8 million in personal income tax, R5.2 million in interest and R20,000 in administrative penalties. The demand reportedly gave Thusi 10 business days to settle the amount or make use of available remedies.
Pearl Thusi disputes the reported figure
While Pearl has acknowledged that she is aware of the matter and is engaging with SARS, she disputes the amount that has been reported.
According to MDNtv, the actress reportedly said that while she acknowledges that an amount is owing, the nearly R15 million figure is “grossly incorrect and therefore misleading.” She also stressed that she takes her tax obligations seriously and wants the matter resolved constructively.
Pearl further noted that her tax affairs are confidential and should not be treated as information for public consumption.
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What does the SARS demand mean?
The reported notice is a final demand, meaning it forms part of the tax-collection process. It does not mean that SARS has already seized or sold any of Pearl’s assets, nor does it constitute a court finding that she owes the full amount being reported.
According to the reports, available options include paying the amount, applying for an instalment arrangement, seeking suspension of collection while disputing the debt, or applying to compromise part of the amount.
SARS can, under certain circumstances, use mechanisms such as a third-party appointment to recover outstanding tax debt from money held by a bank or another third party on behalf of a taxpayer.
SARS declines to comment
SARS has reportedly declined to comment specifically on Pearl’s tax affairs, citing taxpayer confidentiality.
For now, Pearl’s response makes it clear that while she acknowledges an outstanding amount, she disputes the reported R15 million figure and says she is engaging with SARS to resolve the matter.
The reported tax demand therefore remains a matter between Pearl and SARS, with the actress challenging the amount being publicly reported.
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