Pearl Thusi Disputes R15 Million SARS Tax Demand, Calls Figure Misleading

• Pearl Thusi confirmed she is engaging with SARS over an outstanding tax debt but pushed back on the reported amount
• The demand reportedly includes R9.8 million in personal income tax, R5.2 million in interest and R20,000 in penalties
• SARS declined to comment on her individual tax affairs, citing taxpayer confidentiality
• Briefly News writer Gloria Masia spoke to property and wealth strategist Sinazo Ncindi, who explained how taxable income is treated by SARS and how the revenue service can identify income that has not been declared, providing context around tax disputes involving public figures

Pearl Thusi is at the centre of a heated tax dispute after reports emerged that the South African Revenue Service sent her a demand for close to R15 million in outstanding tax debt. The actress and media personality has acknowledged owing SARS money but firmly rejected the headline figure, describing it as "grossly incorrect and therefore misleading."

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According to reports that surfaced on Sunday, 13 September 2026, the demand breaks down into roughly R9.8 million in personal income tax, R5.2 million in interest, and R20,000 in penalties. It also allegedly warned that SARS could move to attach her assets or pursue recovery through third parties if payment was not made.

What Pearl Thusi said about the SARS demand

Thusi did not deny that she has an outstanding balance with the tax authority. Instead, she confirmed she is actively engaging with SARS to resolve the matter while contesting the specific amount that has been widely circulated. Her pushback centres on the accuracy of the reported figure rather than the existence of the debt itself.

SARS, for its part, refused to comment on the specifics of her case, citing its standard policy of taxpayer confidentiality. The demand is part of an administrative collection process and does not constitute a court ruling that Thusi owes the full sum in question.

Wealth strategist Sinazo Ncindi explained to Briefly News writer Gloria Masia that the method used to receive income does not determine whether it is taxable, meaning cash payments can still need to be declared to SARS.

“No, the method of payment whether cash or through electronic payment does not determine whether income is taxable. When an artist earns income from performing, the promoter paying them in cash rather than through electronic funds transfer does not make that income invincible or automatically exempt from tax. If income is legally taxable, the artist is responsible for declaring it to SARS. So in simple terms: cash payment is not a tax exemption.”

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She added that SARS can potentially trace income even when there is no corresponding bank transaction, as other records and third-party information may provide evidence of payments.

“An absence of a bank transaction does not mean there is no evidence of income. There may be invoices, contracts, receipts etc as proof and SARS uses third-party data as part of its verification and compliance process so this data may reveal that there was income that was not declared. Therefore, an absence of a bank deposit does not mean that the income cannot be traced.”

Ncindi also warned that deliberately concealing taxable income can have serious consequences, depending on the taxpayer’s circumstances and conduct.

“Concealing taxable income may have potential criminal consequences according to SARS’s Tax Administration Act. The penalties depend on the artist or taxpayer’s circumstances and conduct, but where there is evidence of intentional tax evasion, consequences may include more tax, interest, fines or up to 5 years imprisonment upon conviction. Deliberately concealing and failing to declare taxable income, whether cash or otherwise may result in heavy consequences. The lesson for entertainers or other cash based businesses, cash payments do not automatically remove your tax obligation.”

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Mzansi reacts to the SARS dispute

The story has sparked fierce conversation online, with many South Africans questioning both SARS's methods and the scale of the figures involved. Here is what some had to say:

@OnePablo20:

"SARS is a criminal enterprise for the state. I never thought I would say this, but I hope Pearl wins this dispute."

@MegaFunTweets:

"Does SARS include girlfriend and boyfriend allowances in this figure or is the tax payment obligation levied against the person sending the money?"

@whiteriot321:

"SARS will humble you."

@UnityInSA:

"SARS charging R5.2m interest is legalised theft. There is no justification in charging interest on taxes. It's difficult to figure out why Pearl Thusi owes the R9.8m as we do not have the facts, but I would sympathise with freelance and contractual workers as they are not always employed and sometimes they need money to carry them through periods when they don't work."

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SARS sends 1-cent tax bill

In a previous report from Briefly News, SARS conceded that a final payment demand for one cent it sent to a taxpayer.

This was due to a systemic administrative error, giving the recipient ten business days to settle the R0.01 balance.

Source: Briefly News