TaxBuddy is an automated AI-powered WhatsApp service developed and provided by Zephyr Global Pty Ltd to help users access general information about tax in South Africa. The service is powered by publicly available content from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) website. TaxBuddy does not connect to SARS systems and is not affiliated with SARS.

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Information We Collect
To operate effectively via WhatsApp, TaxBuddy automatically captures:

• Mobile phone numbers of users engaging with the service

• Chat conversation content (i.e. messages sent and received)

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No other personal or sensitive information is collected, such as:

• Names or surnames

• ID or passport numbers

• Tax numbers

• Financial, biometric, or location data

• Addresses

• Account details

• Passwords

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Disclaimer

We strongly advise users NOT to share any personal tax details (e.g., ID numbers, tax reference numbers, or account information) while using TaxBuddy, as this will get stored in conversational data.

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Use of Information
The limited information collected (mobile numbers and conversation content) is used strictly for the following purposes:

• Delivering relevant responses based on user queries

• Improving the quality and accuracy of the AI service

• Internal analysis for service enhancement (e.g. understanding common queries)

 

All data collected is handled in compliance with South African privacy laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).

 

No Storage of Sensitive Personal Information
TaxBuddy does not store or process any taxpayer-specific data as defined in Chapter 6 of the Tax Administration Act, 2011 (Act No. 28 of 2011). The service is purely informational and operates on public domain content from the SARS website.

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Security and Responsible Use
TaxBuddy is committed to maintaining user privacy and data security. Users who accidentally receive information not intended for them are requested to:

• Not share, save, or forward the information

• Notify Zephyr Global immediately via the official contact channels

• Delete any such information from their device

 

Accuracy and Liability
While TaxBuddy makes every effort to ensure the information it provides is up-to-date and sourced directly from the SARS website, it is: SARS Home | South African Revenue Service

 

General guidance only

Not a substitute for professional advice or official communication with SARS

Not liable for any action taken based on its information, especially relating to the filing of returns or compliance obligations

Users are encouraged to consult directly with SARS for personalized queries, filings, or sensitive account-related matters.

 

Changes to the Policy
Zephyr Global Pty Ltd may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any updates will be made available via the TaxBuddy WhatsApp service or Zephyr Global's official website.