Tax Ombud to Investigate Increasing E-Filing Profile Hijackings

The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) is investigating the ongoing hijacking of taxpayer and tax practitioner profiles. This follows a public meeting led by Tax Ombud Yanga Mputa, involving stakeholders including the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

The OTO's plan for a systemic investigation on profile hackings is based on numerous complaints. This investigation can proceed with the finance minister's approval. The OTO confirmed that a submission is being drafted for the minister.

SARS clarified that while eFiling profiles have been compromised, the revenue service itself was not hacked. Any staff involvement in these incidents would be addressed through criminal processes.

Concerns were raised about how profiles with two-factor authentication could be hacked without the one-time pin (OTP) being intercepted. It was noted that substantial refunds often precede profile hijackings, leading to questions about the security measures in place.

The need for an independent investigation is emphasized to ensure SARS's credibility and address long-term implications for public trust in state institutions.