Popular Content Creator Hit With R700k SARS Tax Bill, Post Stuns Mzansi
- South African content creator Tsontso shared a screenshot revealing she owes SARS over R700,000 in outstanding tax
- The bill combines R672,470 from the 2026 tax year and a missed R29,471 assessment from 2024
- Tsontso's post sparked a wave of reactions from followers urging her to seek a tax practitioner and set up a payment arrangement
- Briefly News writer Gloria Masia spoke to Relebogile Seane, a CA(SA), director and tax practitioner, who explained how SARS handles undeclared income
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Briefly News as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Source: Facebook
South African content creator Tsontso left her followers in disbelief after revealing she owes the South African Revenue Service more than R700,000 in unpaid taxes. She shared the news on Facebook on 15 July 2026, posting a screenshot from her SARS eFiling app that showed two separate payment demands due on 14 August 2026. In her own words, Tsontso wrote:
"The 2026 tax year just closed & i just found out that i owe SARS R672 000 because of how I've been moving since last year. On top of that there's another one that i missed from 2024 that's like R29 000. Guyss? SARS e jwang maraaa?"
The figures on the screen told the full story. The most recent tax period produced a bill of R672,470.99, while an unpaid 2024 assessment added another R29,471.80. Her combined debt stands at R701,942.79.
The gig economy's tax blind spot
Tsontso Mabotja's situation shines a light on a challenge that is becoming increasingly common among South Africa's growing community of influencers and digital freelancers. Brand deals, sponsored campaigns and income from multiple digital platforms can accumulate quickly, but provisional tax obligations and proper bookkeeping often get overlooked until a large assessment arrives.
PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.
SARS has been tightening its approach to digital creators and independent contractors, using third-party data and financial tracking to ensure all income streams are accounted for. For many creators riding the wave of social media success, the taxman's arrival can come as a rude awakening.
See her original post and the full screenshot on Facebook:
Seane explained to Briefly News that income must be declared regardless of how it is received, and that SARS can use several sources of information to identify discrepancies between declared earnings and a taxpayer’s financial activity.
“The Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962 defines ‘gross income’ as the total amount, in cash or otherwise, received by or accrued to a resident during the year of assessment, excluding receipts of a capital nature. The phrase ‘in cash or otherwise’ is the important part. The Act is deliberately indifferent to the form the payment takes. Cash, EFT, cryptocurrency, or payment in kind such as free travel or goods, it is all gross income and all declarable to SARS."
“So the distinction worth drawing for readers is this: being paid in cash affects how visible the income is. It does not affect whether the income is taxable. Those are two completely different things, and confusing them is where people get into trouble.”
He warned that unresolved tax issues can become increasingly expensive, particularly when SARS discovers that income was deliberately concealed or material information was not disclosed.
“They are serious, and they compound. SARS ordinarily cannot reopen an income tax assessment after three years, but that protection falls away entirely where SARS is satisfied there was fraud, misrepresentation or non-disclosure of a material fact. Older years can therefore be reopened."
“The tax that should have been paid becomes payable, with interest running from the original due date. That alone can be a substantial figure after several years. Understatement penalties. These are behaviour-based under the Tax Administration Act and rise with the seriousness of the conduct. Intentional tax evasion attracts the highest category, up to 200% of the shortfall.”
Seane also highlighted that taxpayers who discover they have undeclared income may have options to address the situation, depending on whether SARS has already begun an audit or investigation.
“One constructive point worth including for readers: anyone who has undeclared income can approach SARS through the Voluntary Disclosure Programme. If they come forward before SARS begins an audit or investigation, they generally get relief from understatement penalties and protection from criminal prosecution, and pay the tax and interest. That door closes the moment SARS makes the first move, so it is very much a case of earlier being better."
“The cleaner approach for any performer is to register properly, keep records of every booking and fee, set aside provisional tax, and claim the legitimate business expenses they are entitled to. Deductions for travel, crew, equipment, management commission and similar costs are available to people who declare. They are not available to people who hide.”
Mzansi weighs in on Tsontso's tax shock
Followers flooded the comments with a mix of sympathy, advice and sharp wit:
Ayonda Makwalea said:
"Somethings are confidential my dear... Ai skool is important"
Ofentse Modise added:
"To think that tax payers are enriching those in higher powers 💔💔"
Sphesihle Kopano advised:
"Girl make an arrangement and pay them ba greedy"
Raps Rapular shared:
"Just make a payment arrangement you will finish it in no time....."
Botlhale K. Stark asked:
"Guys pila pila what's the use of SARS? Why are we paying for having money? Don't come for me my father is absent 😭😭😭"
Charity R. Thompson urged:
"Tsontso get a tax practitioner; they will enquire & help sort it out."
3 Other Briefly News stories about tax
- Tax experts warned South African employees that SARS treats personal use of a company vehicle as additional taxable income.
- SARS raised the compulsory VAT registration threshold from R1 million to R2.3 million, effective 1 April 2026.
- A faded 1918 tax receipt reopened a conversation about forced labour and colonial exploitation that reshaped families and Mzansi’s economy today.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow Briefly News on Twitter and never miss the hottest topics! Find us at @brieflyza!
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
