2 July 2025: The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) announces the postponement of the publication of the draft report on its investigation into alleged SARS eFiling profile hijacking, initially scheduled for release for public comment on 7 July 2025.
This decision follows a formal request from the Commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for an extension to allow SARS additional time to respond constructively to the preliminary findings and recommendations contained in the draft report. SARS has requested extension until 31 August 2025. The Tax Ombud has considered this request and, in the interest of procedural fairness, transparency, and ensuring that all perspectives are adequately considered, the Tax Ombud granted the extension. The revised timeline will enable SARS to engage meaningfully with the contents of the report and provide a comprehensive response, thereby contributing to a more balanced and robust outcome.
The OTO assures all taxpayers and stakeholders that the investigation and the resulting report remain a top priority. The OTO continues to take this matter seriously and reaffirms its mandate to address systemic issues and promote fairness in the tax administration system.
The final draft report will be released for public comment shortly after 31 August 2025.