SA Businessman Fined R82,000 for Dodging Tax: A Stark Warning Ahead of 2025 Tax Season

As tax season looms, SARS makes an example of a Cape Town businessman who failed to file tax returns for years

In a sharp reminder that SARS is stepping up enforcement, Cape Town businessman Roelof Serdyn has been slapped with a hefty R82,000 fine for years of tax dodging.

The Bellville Magistrate’s Court convicted Serdyn on multiple counts of failing to file tax returns between 2018 and 2024 — including one income tax return, eight PAYE (Pay As You Earn) returns, and a staggering 32 VAT returns.

A pattern of non-compliance

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Serdyn’s tax negligence wasn’t just an oversight, it was sustained and willful. Despite being the official taxpayer, employer, and vendor for his now-liquidated company, Akvaba (Pty) Ltd, he ignored repeated SARS warnings and final demand notices.

When finally summoned to appear in court, Serdyn rushed to submit the outstanding returns, a move too little, too late in the eyes of the law.

Immediately after sentencing, Serdyn paid R42,000, with the remaining R40,000 structured in monthly R5,000 installments.

But the financial sting didn’t stop there. An additional R164,000 fine (or 246 months in jail) was suspended for five years, provided he remains compliant.

Company collapsed, but responsibility remained

Although charges against Akvaba were dropped after the company went under, Serdyn couldn’t hide behind its closure. As the representative taxpayer, he was personally accountable for its compliance — and the law made that clear.

“This should serve as a serious warning,” said NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila. “Anyone acting as a representative taxpayer or public officer must take their responsibilities seriously. Non-compliance carries real legal consequences.”

A growing crackdown on tax dodgers

Serdyn’s case is part of a growing trend in SARS’s crackdown on non-compliant taxpayers. Just in recent weeks:

• J.W. Lubbe and Jacor Transport Holding were fined R148,000.

• H.L. van der Westhuizen and Tempo Konstruksie CC faced a fine of R126,000.

Each case shows SARS’s renewed focus on enforcement, especially as Filing Season approaches.

What to know ahead of Tax Season 2025

SARS is using 2025 to modernise tax compliance further. From July 7–20, a large portion of individual taxpayers will receive auto-assessment notices via SMS or email.

If you don’t get a notification, you’ll need to manually file your return between July 21 and October 20 (for non-provisional taxpayers).

SARS encourages early preparation and warns that non-compliance or delay could come with serious penalties, as Serdyn and others have now learned the hard way.

Auto-assessments and the digital future

In line with its “easy compliance” strategy, SARS is auto-assessing more non-provisional and provisional taxpayers with uncomplicated financial records. These returns can be reviewed and edited via SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.

But don’t let the simplicity fool you , failure to check and respond can still get you into trouble. “You are still responsible for verifying the accuracy of your return,” SARS warned in a statement.

Roelof Serdyn’s case is more than just another court story. It’s a shot across the bow for any taxpayer tempted to ignore SARS communications or delay submissions.

With Filing Season 2025 officially opening in less than a month, the message is clear: Get your tax affairs in order or risk becoming the next headline.

{Source: IOL}

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