Is Your Problem With SARS A Systemic Issue? If So, Speak To the Tax Ombud
- Procedural difficulties
- Service issues
- Administrative problems and the taxpayer has exhausted all avenues of appeal with SARS with respect to SARS dispute procedures.
What are “systemic issues”?
The Ombud defines these as coming from causes in SARS’ practices and policies which will adversely affect numerous taxpayers. The Ombud’s Office may investigate systemic issues and recommend solutions to the Minister of Finance.
So far, the Ombud has identified twenty systemic issues. Some of the most significant are:
- Placing unjustified “special stoppers” on taxpayers - these are supposed to be placed on high risk fraud accounts and freeze any payments to taxpayers until they are lifted
- SARS not adhering to agreed timelines
- Requested documentation being received by SARS and not filed with the taxpayer’s account
- SARS illegally instituting collections from taxpayers
- Frequent follow-ups by taxpayers where SARS failed to show them the correct procedure for this and/or informing taxpayers how to escalate matters
- Assessments being revised without SARS sending the taxpayer a letter of findings
- Incorrect bank accounts being used by SARS when processing refunds and incorrectly allocated payments to the wrong taxpayer.
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