SARS sorry for threatening SMS sent to taxpayers
The South African Revenue Service says an SMS sent to taxpayers about their missing returns was not meant to come across as threatening.
The tax authority has called for calm, saying it's sorry for the text message.
The SMS to taxpayers on Tuesday sent many into panic with the words "criminal offence" and "summons" included to drive the message over non-compliance home.
The recipients are also given an ultimatum.
Those who fail to submit their returns within 10 days will incur additional penalties.
SARS says the SMS fell short of the high professional standards it seeks to uphold.
The taxman has apologised for the way the matter was handled and the frustration it may have caused.
The service says while it's obliged by law to remind all taxpayers to file their returns, it doesn't initiate legal action before engaging with taxpayers.
