Municipality records will show up the entrepreneurs who have applied for trading licences. The taxman has access to the ID number of every investor who has money in banks, building societies and unit trusts. In the offing is a tracking system that shadows an invoice from the time it first arrives at the customs office through to the final purchasing company. And with the extra manpower capabilities, the service anticipates collecting up to R4-billion in owed taxes. However, the defaulters can have their interest and penalties waived if they come forward before the amnesty expires and pay the capital.
Few dodgers have, as yet, taken up the olive branch.
The taxman's might will be boosted from April 1 when the service will be empowered to offer market-related salaries to attract skilled professionals from the private sector. The new recruits, and existing personnel, will be on a sophisticated incentive scheme to collect more tax, and individual performance will be rewarded. However, the reward will be paid only if the information is new, could not have been picked up by the taxman in any other way, and is detailed. Others are jealous that their neighbour has a luxury car and boasts that only idiots pay tax. Sources at the Receiver's office say they get many leads from TV and newspapers.