Here’s what you do if you owe SARS money. Picture: Pixaby.
If you’re unhappy with your tax return, the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) is here to help.
Here’s what you do if you owe SARS money. Picture: Pixaby.
With the 2023 tax season in full swing as of last Friday (7 July 2023), if you’re unhappy with your tax return and feel you want to lodge a complaint, help is at hand.
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The official recourse for South African taxpayers with complaints to SARS is through the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO). Here’s what you’ll need and how it works.
The OTO’s website insists the organisation is independent and impartial, and “Is committed to helping improve the country’s tax administration by promoting a healthy balance between taxpayers’ rights and obligations.”
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The OTO also insists that all information and communication is treated in strict confidence and will not impact future dealings with SARS. If you are unhappy with your tax return here’s what you do …
To complete the complaint form correctly you will need to:
The OTO will then assess the validity of the complaint and recommend a course of action.
If you’re unhappy with your tax return but insufficient evidence is provided with your complaint, the OTO may terminate your matter or give you another opportunity to provide evidence.
If you have a representative working on your behalf, the complainant must submit the following:
The OTO will investigate the matter and see if the complainant has exhausted the SARS complaints mechanism. The OTO will also verify if any limitations apply and/or if the complaint is valid.
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If the matter is within the OTO mandate, and it is found there is a service, procedural or administrative failure from SARS, the OTO will recommend to SARS how to remedy the situation. A letter of acceptance would be sent back to you.
If the OTO rejects the case, a letter of outcome will be sent to the complainant with the reasoning thereof.