Vetting help when you've got years of non-submission to sort out

You're sitting on years of unfiled returns. The thought of sorting it out alone feels overwhelming, and you need someone who actually knows what they're doing — not just any tax person, but one who can handle the complexity of back returns without making things worse. The right practitioner can turn this from a nightmare into a managed process; the wrong one might leave you exposed to penalties you didn't need to pay.

When you've got multiple years to file, the stakes feel higher. A practitioner who rushes through old returns or misses income streams can cost you dearly. You need concrete ways to vet someone before handing over your financial history.

Verify their standing with SARS and professional bodies

Before anything else, check that the person is actually licensed to do this work. Ask for their SARS tax practitioner registration number and verify it yourself on the SARS website. Don't accept a verbal assurance — ask them to show you proof, either a certificate or a reference number you can look up. If they hesitate or can't produce it, walk away.

If they hold themselves out as a "tax consultant" or "tax advisor" (rather than a registered tax practitioner), understand what that means: they may offer guidance but cannot file returns on your behalf. You need someone with practitioner status for years of back filings.

Check whether they're a member of a professional body like the Institute of Tax Professionals South Africa (ITPSA) or the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA). Membership doesn't guarantee competence, but it signals they're subject to a code of conduct and complaint procedures. Ask for their membership number and verify it.

Talk to recent clients about multi-year work

References matter more when the job is complex. Ask the practitioner for at least two references from clients they've helped with back returns — not just a single return, but several years of filings. When you phone those references, ask specific questions: Did the practitioner explain what was happening at each step? How long did the process take? Were there surprises after submission (like additional tax owing or the need to amend returns)? Did the practitioner help them understand why certain years were more complicated than others?

Listen for whether the reference felt comfortable with the practitioner and would hire them again. If the practitioner is reluctant to provide references, or only offers happy clients with simple situations, that's a red flag for someone not used to messy, multi-year work.

Ask the practitioner directly how they've handled back-year submissions in the past. What's their typical process? Do they file all years at once or stagger them? How do they identify missing documents or income you've forgotten about? Someone experienced with back returns will have a clear answer; someone winging it won't.

Check their approach to your specific situation

Before you commit, have a consultation where you outline the scope: how many years, roughly what income streams, whether you've moved provinces or changed employment, any side income or rentals. A competent practitioner will ask clarifying questions and sketch out what the process looks like. They'll explain whether SARS is likely to assess you for all years or just a sample, and what that means for timelines and cost.

Ask them what documents you'll need to gather and what they'll need from you beyond bank statements and payslips. If they're vague, they haven't done this before. If they're specific — "We'll need your rental income records for 2021 and 2022, proof of any business expenses, and your return-to-work documents if you changed jobs" — they've thought through the common pitfalls.

Confirm their fee structure upfront. With multiple years, some practitioners charge a flat fee per year or per submission; others charge hourly. Understand what's included and what costs extra (like amendments after SARS queries). Put this in writing.

Finding the right person to untangle years of missing returns takes more vetting than a straightforward annual filing, but it's worth the effort. Search Strove's verified tax practitioners in your province, read their profiles and what clients say about handling complex situations, and use the checks above before you hand over your documents.