If you owe the taxman money, don't make out a cheque to "SARS".
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) says that, as of April 1, banks will no longer accept cheques made out to "SARS". Cheques must be made out to "South African Revenue Service".
The reason is to limit the opportunities for fraud as well as to reduce possible losses due to similar account names, SARS says.
You can also pay the taxman by way of an electronic funds transfer through, for example, online banking or at an ATM, or you can make a payment through the secure eFiling channel ( www.sarsefiling.co.za).