As you are all aware the POPI Act finally comes into effect in July this year. There are already plenty of service providers offering a myriad of products, so that you can make sure that they get rich, and you get POPI compliant. Please take care and do your homework before spending money on weird and wonderful packages.
We are busy reviewing the Act and its possible impact on our clients and their businesses and will let you have more information as things develop. We believe that there are provisions which will require you to provide information to authorities but expect that there will be exemptions for smaller companies, as was the case with the Provision of Access to information Act, some years ago. Another reason to not rush into anything just yet.
One very definite effect has been on our ability to deal with SARS on behalf of clients. In the past we were able to deal with client’s affairs whether they were on our SARS Profile or their own SARS Profile. We were able to enjoy shared access or simply use the log in details provided by clients. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case. SARS will not discuss tax matters with us unless the client is “on our profile” In addition it is an infringement of the SARS rules for a Tax Practitioner to use someone else’s login details to obtain access to a taxpayer profile. This also applies to the submission of VAT and PAYE returns.
Over the next two months we are going to be requesting that you transfer profiles to our platform or that you take over the submission of returns and communications with the call centre if you would prefer.
Please feel free to give us a call to discuss or just watch this space, we will keep you up to date.
And………..
No, the POPI Act will not stop various annoying morons from calling you at all hours with special offers of stuff you do not want.