Actress and media personality Pearl Thusi is facing a nearly R15 million tax demand from the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The star has disputed the figure, describing it as “grossly incorrect and therefore misleading”.
According to a report by the Sunday Times, published on TimesLIVE, SARS issued Thusi with a final demand over an alleged outstanding tax debt.
According to documents cited by the Sunday Times, the demand, dated August 6 and electronically filed on September 2, identifies Thusi by her full name, Sithembile Xola Thusi, and states that she has failed to pay tax for one or more tax years or periods.
The report alleges that a certified statement accompanying the demand reportedly reflects almost R9.8 million in personal income tax, R5.2 million in interest, and a further R20,000 in administrative penalties. The documents do not specify which tax years or periods the alleged debt relates to.
Pearl Thusi disputes the reported figure
SARS has reportedly given Thusi 10 business days to settle the outstanding amount or pursue one of the remedies available to her, including applying for an instalment payment arrangement or seeking the suspension of the debt if she intends to formally dispute it.
If the matter remains unresolved, SARS could take further recovery steps, including seeking a civil judgment and a warrant of execution that could allow a sheriff to attach and sell assets.
The revenue service could also approach third parties holding or owing money to Thusi in an effort to recover the alleged debt.
However, the “Queen Sono” actress has made it clear that she does not accept the reported R15 million figure.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, she acknowledged that there is an amount owing to SARS but said the figure being reported was inaccurate.
“While I acknowledge that there is an amount owing to SARS, the figure quoted is grossly incorrect and therefore misleading,” she said.
Thusi added that she takes her responsibilities as a taxpayer seriously and is engaging directly with SARS to resolve the matter.
SARS spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko declined to comment specifically on Thusi’s tax affairs, citing taxpayer confidentiality.
