The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education has instructed its teachers to negotiate with Sars to make payment arrangements after the teachers felt the service was taking too much money from them.
This comes after some teachers lost their bonuses when Sars began a new process in October to collect from those who have failed to pay their taxes.
The process allows Sars to take money from the salaries and/or bonuses of those in debt.
The process caused a huge outcry in the province.
Teachers had to call on the provincial Department of Education to intervene after some teachers lost half of their salaries to Sars debit orders.
The teachers said that they were not made aware of the new system and thought the amounts taken off their accounts were a mistake.
KZN Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said that they have issued a note to all of their educators, instructing them to make payment arrangements with Sars.
“The debit orders are not unauthorised,” said Mahlambi. Sars has the power to instruct employers to arrange debit orders for people who owe taxes and have not paid.
“This is happening to everyone who owes. What we are saying is that individuals who owe Sars must go there and make payment arrangements.
“Having received the letter from Sars confirming the arrangements, this serves to give them options for relief.”
Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana reviewed his mid-term budget after it emerged that his February budget was beyond what Sars had collected.
Pictured above: Teachers are complaining to the Department of Education in KZN to intervene over the Sars debit orders on their accounts.
Image source: X
