Consequences for Non-Payment of PAYE and VAT Compared

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2020/v23i0a7791

Keywords:

Agent, employees' tax, PAYE, remuneration, tax administration, trust relationship, value-added tax

Abstract

This article shows that, whereas a bilateral legal relationship exists between the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and a vendor in relation to value-added tax (VAT), a tri-partite legal relationship exists among the SARS, employees and employers in relation to Pay As You Earn (PAYE). This article shows further that employers are, as withholding agents of PAYE, in the same legal position as vendors as regards VAT, namely, they are not in a trust or agency relationship with the SARS. Rather, this article argues that PAYE is in the nature of trust funds held by employers on behalf of employees from whose remuneration it is deducted. Since the employees retain ownership of the PAYE deducted, this article argues that employees have locus standi to lay a charge of theft against employers who misappropriate PAYE. Such a charge of theft is not grounded in tax administration. This article shows further that, as the law presently stands, a charge of theft falls outside the ambit of the remedies available to the SARS against employers and vendors who default in remitting PAYE or VAT. The Tax Administration Act, 2011 read with the Income Tax Act, 1962 and Value-Added Tax Act, 1991 codified only a limited range of criminal sanctions and administrative penalties that may be imposed against a defaulting employer or vendor. If theft is to be included, then a legislative amendment is required.

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Author Biography

Fareed Moosa, University of the Western Cape

Senior Lecturer, Department of Mercantile Law

References

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Literature

Olivier PA Trust Law and Practice (Haum Tertiary Pretoria 1990)

Case law

ABC (Pty) Ltd v CSARS (TC) (unreported) case number VAT 1626 of 3 March 2020

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Legislation

Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996

Customs and Excise Act 91 of 1964

Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002

Income Tax Act 58 of 1962

Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000

South African Revenue Service Act 34 of 1997

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Government publications

GN 312 in GG 43096 of 15 March 2020

GN 313 in GG 43096 of 15 March 2020

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Internet sources

South African Revenue Service 2020 Tax Relief Measures https://www.sars.gov.za/Media/Pages/Tax-Relief-measures.aspx accessed 20 July 2020

The Presidency 2020 President Cyril Ramaphosa: Escalation of Measures to Combat Coronavirus COVID-19 Pandemic https://www.gov.za/speeches/president-cyril-ramaphosa-escalation-measures-combat-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic-23-mar accessed 20 July 2020

Published

03-11-2020

How to Cite

Moosa, F. (2020). Consequences for Non-Payment of PAYE and VAT Compared. Potchefstroom Electronic Law Journal, 23, 1–27. https://doi.org/10.17159/1727-3781/2020/v23i0a7791

Issue

Section

Articles