AI is now hunting tax cheats in South Africa

▤ Summary

South Africa’s revenue service is expanding AI across tax compliance and taxpayer service delivery. It says AI has already blocked more than R100-million in impermissible outflows and is now being extended to verification, fraud detection, and call handling. The agency is also rolling out digital tools such as WhatsApp, a mobile app, USSD, chatbots, QR codes, and upgraded self-service channels for the 2026 filing season. Internal testing is underway for AI-assisted verification, with some features expected to reach production within 12 months. The broader program points to a long-term shift toward automation, data matching, and more scalable public-service operations.

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