SARS has come after you and you don't know your rights — who to call

When SARS sends a letter, many business owners freeze. They read it once, panic, and either ignore it or hand it to someone who sounds confident — only to discover months later that a deadline has passed, a response was incomplete, or the person they trusted wasn't actually qualified to help. By then, the cost of fixing it has multiplied.

The real problem isn't that SARS has acted. The problem is not knowing what rights you have, what happens next, or who can actually help you. Those are three separate questions, and they need three different types of guidance. Rushing past them costs thousands in lost time and wasted money.

What SARS letters actually trigger

SARS may contact you for many reasons: a tax return hasn't arrived, an amount on your filing doesn't match their records, a transaction looks suspicious, or they've decided to audit you. Not all of these are disputes. Some are queries that need a simple answer. Others are formal assessments that kick off a strict timeline for objection. Some are collection notices, which are different again.

The first step nobody skips — but many do wrong — is reading what SARS has actually sent. Not the panic, not the summary. The letter itself. It will state why they're writing, what they want from you, and when. It will also tell you whether you have a right to object and dispute it, or whether what they've sent is purely informational. That letter is your map. Everything else follows from understanding it correctly.

The person who understands your rights

You have legal rights when SARS assesses you. Those rights include the right to object to an assessment if you believe it's wrong, and to appeal if the objection is rejected. You also have rights during an audit — what SARS can ask for, how long they can take, and what they cannot demand. These rights exist, and they matter. But most business owners don't know them, and many of the people who offer to help them don't explain them properly either.

A tax practitioner registered with SARS, or a tax attorney, will be able to tell you exactly what rights you have in your situation. They will also tell you what the deadline is for objection, what documents you need to gather, and whether your case has realistic grounds or not. This is not the same as someone who does bookkeeping or annual returns. It's not the same as a general business accountant. You need someone who specialises in dispute resolution and who knows the SARS objection and appeals process inside out.

You can verify they're registered with SARS by asking for their practitioner number and checking the SARS website. For attorneys, check the Law Society of South Africa roll.

Finding your way through the landscape

The people who handle SARS disputes fall into a few categories. Tax attorneys specialise in the legal side and are often the choice if the amount is large or the case is complex. Registered tax practitioners can guide you through objection and appeal too, and are often more accessible for smaller amounts. Some accounting firms have a disputes team. Some work alone or in small partnerships. Some will work on a flat fee; others charge hourly or on contingency.

None of these categories is wrong. What matters is finding someone who has actually handled cases like yours, understands the timeline you're facing, and can explain the route forward without pressure. The worst mistake is choosing based on price alone or on a recommendation from someone whose situation was nothing like yours.

Your first concrete step

Don't hand over your SARS letter yet. First, confirm you understand what SARS is asking for and when the deadline is. If there is a deadline for objection, treat it as sacred — SARS rarely extends it, and missing it closes the door. Then, speak to someone who knows the process, ask what it will cost, and ask them to explain honestly whether your case is defensible or whether you need to negotiate.

Strove connects you with verified tax practitioners and advisors in your area who specialise in this exact problem. You can see their experience, read how others have worked with them, and get quotes from multiple people without committing to anyone. That's the safest place to start when you're lost.