Cosatu calls on Sars to chase rich tax crooks

If the government is serious about raising revenue in the absence of a VAT hike, it should target wealthy tax-dodging individuals and companies, the Congress of SA Trade Unions (Cosatu) says.

- Masoka Dube

Spokesperson Matthew Parks said the SA Revenue Service (Sars) should receive the resources it needs to boost tax compliance by at least 2% or R40 billion per annum.

"This should include targeting tax evasion by high-wealth individuals and companies, customs fraud, illicit trade in alcohol and tobacco-related products and online gambling," he said.

His thoughts were echoed by Wayne Duvenage, CEO for the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), who said the VAT increase was never necessary.