Delays in the payment of tax refunds are still the most frequent complaints lodgedwith the Office of the Tax Ombud. This is despite the OTO previously compiling ahard-hitting report on the issue, together with recommendations on how the SouthAfrican Revenue Service (SARS) could resolve the matter. Now the OTO has identifiedanother SARS practice that contributes […]
Fairness for all: Case 20
Some taxpayers may be under the impression that the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) onlyassists taxpayers with complaints against the South African Revenue Service (SARS) if there aretax refunds at stake. The case featured in this issue illustrates the OTO’s commitment to helpingresolve all complaints received, even those many taxpayers might consider insignificant.
NINE YEARS OF ENSURING FAIRNESS
MEDIA STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE OFFICE OF THE TAX OMBUD FOR RELEASE ON 12 OCTOBER 2022 PRETORIA: OTO celebrates nine years of ensuring fairness by helping hundreds of taxpayers secure their refunds from SARS. This includes R215 million in top 10 tax refunds collectively paid to taxpayers through the intervention of the OTO. This is […]
Tax Ombud’s Annual Report 2021/22
Media Statement: Designation of Prof. Thabo Legwaila as Acting Tax Ombud
Media Statement by the Office of the Minister of Finance, Mr Enoch Godongwana regarding the appointment of the Acting Tax Ombud, following the expiry of the term of office of the first and only Tax Ombud, Honourable Judge Bernard Makgabo Ngoepe.
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Nine years have passed in a flash and the Fair Play editorial team is grateful to have been part of the Office of the Tax Ombud’s success over the years. With the support of stakeholders at large, the OTO has positioned itself as a brand that promotes a fair tax administration system, with taxpayers’ rights […]
Fairness for all: Case 19
In July 2022, SARS issued more than three million income tax auto-assessments to individual non-provisional taxpayers. It is crucial to understand that the process for dealing with auto-assessments is slightly different from when an income tax return is submitted manually. If the wrong procedure is followed, it could have serious consequences for taxpayers.
STEP UP TO THE MARK AND PUT CITIZENS FIRST
Comments delivered by Tax Ombud, Judge Bernard M. Ngoepe at the SAIGA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2022. The theme of your conference is; “Step up to the mark and put citizens first”. Within the context of the above theme, the question I am asked to address specifically is: “How can South Africa overcome its obstacles”. Both the […]
Fairness for all: Case 18
When a tax complaint deals with more than one issue, it may lead to confusion at the South African Revenue Service (SARS), as the case below shows.
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Welcome to our second quarter issue of Fair Play! We are excited about this issue because the Office of the Tax Ombud’s educational campaign continues to provide insights on promoting Taxpayers’ rights during the SARS’s Tax Season. The OTO’s #TaxpayersRightsMatter campaign aims to educate taxpayers about their rights, what they mean, and when they should […]