SEEKING STRUCTURAL INDEPENDENCE

FAIR PLAY ISSUE 14

Welcome to the fourteenth 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 2018/19 - SIX YEARS OF BRIDGING THE GAP OF FAIRNESS AND TAXPAYER RIGHTS

The Tax Ombud Annual Report 2018/19 has been tabled in Parliament and provides detailed activities and performance of the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO), as well as Judge Ngoepe’s overview of the institutions Six Years of Bridging the Gap of Fairness and Taxpayer Rights since its establishment on 1 October 2013. Click the link below to access the full report.

MEDIA STATEMENT: 6 YEARS OF BRIDGING THE GAP – JUDGE NGOEPE UNPACKS HIS 2018/19 ANNUAL REPORT

The launch of the Tax Ombud’s 2018/19 Annual Report was held at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business Breakwater Campus today (3 October 2019). The Tax Ombud, Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe, told taxpayers, tax practitioners and the academic fraternity who attended the launch, themed Six Years of Bridging the Gap of Fairness and Taxpayer Rights, that his Office continued to make a significant impact on the country’s tax administration system. He added that the OTO’s independent and impartial interventions have made a huge contribution towards ensuring that tax was collected in as fair a manner as possible.

FAIR PLAY ISSUE 13 - SIX YEARS OF BRIDGING THE GAP OF FAIRNESS AND TAXPAYER RIGHTS

Welcome to the 13th and Special Edition of Fair Play newsletter commemorating Six Years of Bridging the Gap of Fairness and Taxpayer Rights Click the link below to read the full newsletter or find it on our Publications Page.

MINISTER OF FINANCE EXTENDS THE TERM OF TAX OMBUD JUDGE NGOEPE

Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni has extended the term of office of the Tax Ombud Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe for three years, commencing 1 October 2019. Judge Ngoepe became the country’s first Tax Ombud when he was appointed by the then Minister of Finance, in October 2013.

INVITATION: TAX OMBUD 2018/19 ANNUAL REPORT LAUNCH

Celebrating 6 years of bridging the gap of fairness and taxpayers’ rights
Join the Tax Ombud, Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe in conversation with tax experts, academia and taxpayers.

OTO AT THE TAX INDABA 2019

The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) looks forward to being part of the upcoming Tax Indaba 2019 scheduled for 26 – 30 August at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. Tax Ombud Judge Bernard Ngoepe will be part of the informative discussions during the five-day event. Visit the OTO Stand 11 to find out how the Office assists taxpayers who have complaints with the South African Revenue Service (SARS).

VACANCY: Chief Executive Officer

The Tax Ombud is currently recruiting for a Chief Executive Officer. The successful candidate will be required to understand the Tax Ombud’s mandate, strategic objectives and all relevant tax legislations. The candidate will also be required to formulate the OTO’s business model and align it with the overall organisational strategy.

FAIR PLAY ISSUE 12

Welcome to the twelfth 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 ENGAGING TAXPAYERS IN POLOKWANE

Tax Ombud Judge Bernard Ngoepe will head to Polokwane to launch the Office of the Tax Ombud’s tax season awareness and education campaign. The campaign, themed Tax Season 2019 Ifikile – The Tax Ombud is here to help, is indicative of the OTO’s continued commitment to promote and protect taxpayers’ rights and remind them of their responsibilities to pay tax.

INVITATION: TAX OMBUD STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN POLOKWANE – 1 JULY

What rights do taxpayers have when dealing with SARS? Join Tax Ombud Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe discussing what is being done to protect taxpayers’ rights.

JUDGE NGOEPE LOSE ANOTHER CHILD TO DIABETES

Judge Bernard Ngoepe, the South African Tax Ombud and former Judge President of the North and South Gauteng High Courts, lost his son Shalele Bernard Ngoepe on Saturday 18 May 2019 due to sudden diabetic complications. Ngoepe Jnr, who has been living with diabetes from the age of two-and-half, would have turned 40 in November this year. About seven years ago, Judge Ngoepe lost his eldest daughter, Joan Kwena Matlala, also to complications from diabetes.

TAX OMBUD NAMES ACTING CEO

The Tax Ombud Judge Bernard Ngoepe, following the imminent departure of Advocate Eric Mkhawane, announced the appointment of Mr Gert van Heerden Senior Manager Legal Services as acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with effect from 1 May 2019.

MEDIA STATEMENT: SARS & OFFICE OF THE TAX OMBUD SIGN HISTORIC AGREEMENT

PRETORIA, Friday 26 April 2019 – Today the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and Office of Tax Ombud (OTO) signed a historic agreement to forge an effective working relationship that will deliver excellent service to the taxpayer.

MEDIA STATEMENT: Public Protector and Tax Ombud join forces to tackle tax-related grievances

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see the Public Protector South Africa and the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) working closely together to resolve taxpayers’ complaints against the South African Revenue Service (SARS) was signed in Pretoria on Tuesday.

VACANCY: CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

The Tax Ombud is currently recruiting for a Chief Executive Officer. The successful candidate will be required to understand the Tax Ombud’s mandate, strategic objectives and all relevant tax legislations. The candidate will also be required to formulate the OTO’s business model and align it with the overall organisational strategy.

CEO OF THE OFFICE OF THE TAX OMBUD LEAVES OFFICE AT THE END OF APRIL 2019

Advocate Hanyana Eric Mkhawane, the CEO of the Office of the Tax Ombud, will be leaving the office at the end of April 2019 to return to his practice as an advocate at the Johannesburg Bar. Adv. Mkhawane was recruited by the then Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, out of his practice to come and help Tax Ombud Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe to set up the office. “He performed this task with distinction,” said the Judge. At the request of Judge Ngoepe, Adv. Mkhawane stayed longer than he had anticipated.

FAIR PLAY ISSUE 11

Welcome to the eleventh 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.

OTO GATEWAY MALL ACTIVATION

The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) will be in Durban as part of an ongoing awareness campaign to promote its free and impartial services. The campaign will create an interactive experience for taxpayers on how to lodge a complaint against SARS and the OTO service in general. In addition to the Gateway Mall Activation, the OTO will hold interactive engagements sessions with both private and public sector institutions to share information about the free and impartial services, as well as to promote the utilisation of services offered.

INVITATION: TAX OMBUD STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT IN DURBAN -19 MARCH

How do we maintain a balance between SARS’ powers and duties, and the taxpayers’ rights and obligation? Join Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe, Tax Ombud, as we discuss ways to ensure fair and equitable tax administration.

The Minister of Finance, Tito Titus Mboweni, delivered his budget speech in parliament on 20 February 2019.

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 

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.

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.

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).