Social Media Reacts to News of Pearl Thusi Reportedly Owing SARS R15 Million
Social Media Reacts to News of Pearl Thusi Reportedly Owing SARS R15 Million. News doing the rounds is that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has issued actress Pearl Thusi with a final demand over an alleged tax debt of nearly R15 million.
According to Sunday Times publication, the demand, dated August 6 and electronically filed on September 2, identifies Pearl by her full name, Sithembile Xola Thusi, and states that she has failed to pay tax for one or more years or periods.
According to the publication, a certified statement accompanying the demand puts the alleged personal income tax debt at about R9.8 million, with a further R5.2 million in interest and R20,000 in administrative penalties.The documents reportedly do not specify the tax years to which the alleged debt relates.
The Sunday Times reports that SARS gave Pearl 10 business days to settle the amount or pursue available remedies. These include applying for an installment payment arrangement, seeking suspension of collection if she intends to dispute the debt, or applying to have part of the amount compromised.
SARS spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko declined to comment specifically on Pearl’s case, citing taxpayer confidentiality, according to the Sunday Times. Pearl allegedly confirmed to the publication that she is aware of the matter and is engaging with SARS. She acknowledged that an amount is owing but disputed the figure contained in the demand. She said the amount quoted was “grossly incorrect and therefore misleading,” adding that she takes her tax obligations seriously and wants the matter resolved constructively. She also said SARS records concerning her tax affairs are confidential and “not for public consumption.”
The matter is now making waves on both the mainstream media and social media.
