Sars gives service providers a headache
A number of bookkeepers and auditors are up in arms with the current service they are receiving from Sars Benoni branch.
These service providers who are trying to obtain VAT numbers for their clients are claiming to have to wait for over two months, for a procedure that should only take two to three weeks.
“We are losing business, our clients think we are messing them around because with all the paper work submitted we tell them that the process should not take long, but it takes long,” said a furious practitioner, who did not want to be named for fear of being victimised.
He also added that their clients can’t operate without VAT numbers, so the clients and service providers are both losing.
According to Marika Muller Sars marketing manager, the standard turn-around time for processing a VAT registration request is 21 working days.
“When an applicant comes into a Sars branch, their application is reviewed for completeness, and the Sars official also conducts an interview with the applicant.
“The documents are then passed on for data screening which checks the level of risk which might be attached to a particular application.
“If the application is considered low-risk it then goes through the standard approval process.
“Only VAT applications considered to be high-risk are identified for physical verification, this process is more intensive and may include ‘site visits’ by the verification team,” said Muller.
She added it is impossible to comment further without the details of the individual cases which the City Times referred to.
“If these individuals would like to contact us via your reporter, Sars will look into the matter and report back to them, ” said Muller.
Taxpayers who have complaints or concerns should contact their contact centre on 0800 00 7277 or visit www.sars.gov.za for a detailed outline on the process to follow.
