CLOSURE DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON HOLIDAYS

Kindly be informed that the Office of the Tax Ombud will close from 21 December 2018 until 2 January 2019. We wish you a safe and enjoyable festive season and a happy new year.

LOAD SHEDDING AFFECTS OTO SERVICES

The ongoing load shedding is affecting our telephone lines. Please accept our apology for the inconvenience. If you cannot reach us on our landline, you can contact us at complaints@taxombud.gov.za.

REQUEST FOR SUBMISSIONS: REVIEW IN TERMS OF S16(1)(B OF THE TAA 2011 (SUBMISSION DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO 14 DECEMBER 2018)

The Tax Ombud Judge Bernard Ngoepe is conducting an investigation into Fluidity of the Pay as you earn statements of accounts and SARS’s disregard of the timeframes prescribed by the Rules for the resolution of disputes. Stakeholders are requested to make submissions on the investigation which follows the recent approval by the then Finance Minister for the Tax Ombud to investigate the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in relation to systemic and emerging issues arising from taxpayers and tax practitioners’ complaints to the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO). Please find the attached letter for detailed information. Submissions should be forwarded to Office@taxombud.gov.za no later than 30 October 2018.

SCAM EMAIL ALERT: DON’T OPEN OR FORWARD TO ANYONE, DELETE IT IMMEDIATELY!

We are aware of a scam email in circulation that appears to be from South African Revenue Service and linked with the Office of the Tax Ombud email address. Take note that it is not from Office of the Tax Ombud email address. The Office of the Tax Ombud will never ask you to click on a link or a download any documents.

INVITATION: JUTA TAX TALKING POINTS PANEL DISCUSSION IN COLLABORATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE TAX OMBUD

Alternative Dispute Resolution: Is it fit for purpose?

MEDIUM TERM BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT 2018

The South African economy is at a crossroads. Since the presentation of the 2018 Budget, we have experienced a technical recession. Although the outlook for global growth is positive, there are storm clouds on the horizon, with growing risks for developing countries as trade tensions mount and financial conditions tighten.

INVITATION: PANEL DISCUSSION ON DISPUTE RESOLUTION ISSUES WITH THE OFFICE OF THE TAX OMBUD AND WEBBER WENTZEL

Dispute resolution complaints rank as the second most common category of complaints received by the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO), with more than 700 complaints (almost 30% of total complaints) received in the 2017/2018 year.

TAX OMBUD ANNUAL REPORT 2017/18

The Tax Ombud Annual Report 2017/18 has been tabled in Parliament and provides detailed activities and performance of the Office of the Tax Ombud in relation to the set Annual Performance Plan and objectives, as well as Judge Ngoepe’s overview of the institution in the past five years since its establishment on 1 October 2013.

FAIR PLAY ISSUE 10 – SPECIAL EDITION

Welcome to the tenth issue of the Office of the Tax Ombud’s stakeholder newsletter (Fair Play), a special edition commemorating “Five Years of Fairness. Click the link below to read the full newsletter or find it on our Publications Page.

TAX OMBUD TO INVESTIGATE SARS

Tax Ombud to investigate complaints against SARS relating to PAYE Statement of Accounts and Non Adherence to Dispute Resolution Timeframes.

PARTICIPATION AT THE TAX INDABA

The OTO is pleased to be participating in the upcoming Tax Indaba 2018 scheduled for 10 to 14 September at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Once again, the Office will join thousands of influential voices in the tax sphere who attend this annual event in order to discuss pivotal issues regarding tax. Visit our exhibition stand at the Indaba to find out more about how we can help resolve your tax complaints against SARS. Make sure not to miss the Tax Ombud Judge Bernard Ngoepe on 11 September on his thought leadership panel discussion about “A fair tax administration system”, and again on the last day of the Indaba Friday 14 September where you will have an opportunity to have your say and ask him anything.

SYSTEMIC ISSUES DEFINED

The Office of the Tax Ombud is publishing an informative leaflet on what constitute systemic issues and examples of issues that have been identified.

FAIR PLAY ISSUE 9

Welcome to the ninth issue of the Office of the Tax Ombud’s stakeholder newsletter, Fair Play, a vibrant and informative newsletter which aims to keep stakeholders abreast of important matters affecting the Office and developments in the tax recourse sphere. Click the link below to read the full newsletter or find it on our Publications Page.

IT’S TAX FILING SEASON – WE SPEAK FAIRNESS

The 2018 Tax Filing Season is upon us, and the OTO is committed to providing an impartial and fair service, maintaining a balance between SARS’s powers and duties on the one hand, and taxpayers’ rights and obligations on the other.

FAIR PLAY ISSUE 8

Welcome to the eight issue of the Office of the Tax Ombud’s stakeholder newsletter, Fair Play, a vibrant and informative newsletter which aims to keep stakeholders abreast of important matters affecting the Office and developments in the tax recourse sphere. Click the link below to read the full newsletter or find it on our Publications Page.

MINISTER OF FINANCE 2018 BUDGET SPEECH

On Wednesday 21 February, Finance Minister Mr Malusi Gigaba delivered his 2018 National Budget Speech in Parliament.

FAIR PLAY ISSUE 7

Welcome to the seventh issue of the Office of the Tax Ombud’s stakeholder newsletter, Fair Play, a vibrant and informative newsletter which aims to keep stakeholders abreast of important matters affecting the Office and developments in the tax recourse sphere. Click the link below to read the full newsletter or find it on our Publications Page.

CLOSURE DURING THE FESTIVE SEASON HOLIDAYS

Kindly be informed that the Office of the Tax Ombud will close from 22 December 2017 until 2 January 2018. We wish you a safe and enjoyable festive season and a happy new year.

FAIR PLAY ISSUE 6

Welcome to the sixth issue of the Office of the Tax Ombud’s stakeholder newsletter, Fair Play, a vibrant and informative newsletter which aims to keep stakeholders abreast of important matters affecting the Office and developments in the tax recourse sphere. Click the link below to read the full newsletter or find it on our Publications Page.

TAX OMBUD ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17

The Tax Ombud Annual Report 2016/17 has been tabled in Parliament. The report details salient features pertaining to the strategic outcomes of the Office of the Tax Ombud.

MEDIA ADVISORY: PRESENTING THE TAX OMBUD'S ANNUAL REPORT 2016/17

The Tax Ombud Judge Bernard Ngoepe will present the highlights of the 2016/17 Tax Ombud Annual Report on Tuesday, 17 October 2017 at University of South Africa (UNISA).

TAX OMBUD’S FINAL REPORT ON COMPLAINTS AGAINST SARS RELATING TO ALLEGED UNDUE DELAY IN THE PAYMENT OF REFUNDS

The Tax Ombud Judge Bernard Ngoepe has released the final report on the investigation into alleged delays in payment of refunds by the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The final report has findings, comments and recommendations by the Tax Ombud.

MEDIA STATEMENT: TAX OMBUD’S FINAL REPORT ON COMPLAINTS AGAINST SARS RELATING TO ALLEGED UNDUE DELAY IN THE PAYMENT OF REFUNDS

Earlier in the year the Tax Ombud, Judge Bernard Ngoepe, made it known that he had requested and obtained approval from the Minister of Finance to conduct a review in respect of several complaints by taxpayers that South African Revenue Service (SARS) was unduly delaying the payment of refunds due to them.

FAIR PLAY ISSUE 5

Welcome to the fifth issue of the Office of the Tax Ombud’s stakeholder newsletter, Fair Play, a vibrant and informative newsletter which aims to keep stakeholders abreast of important matters affecting the Office and developments in the tax recourse sphere. Click the link below to read the full newsletter or find it on our Publications Page.

MEDIA STATEMENT: TAX OMBUD INTERIM UPDATE ON COMPLAINTS AGAINST SARS RELATING TO ALLEGED UNDUE DELAY IN THE PAYMENT OF REFUNDS

This serves to provide you with an update regarding the Tax Ombud Judge Bernard Ngoepe’s investigation into alleged undue delays in the payments of refunds by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).