SARS refunds to take longer to pay out this year
SARS has an obligation to both taxpayers as well as to the fiscus to ensure that fraudulent and invalid claims are stopped
TAXPAYERS may have to wait longer for refunds from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) this tax season.
According to SARS, it has implemented additional risk processes in the way that it pays out refunds to taxpayers.
“It is important for taxpayers expecting a refund to note that SARS has this year implemented additional risk processes to ensure both the legitimacy and accuracy of the refunds paid. SARS has an obligation to both taxpayers as well as to the fiscus to ensure that fraudulent and invalid claims are stopped,” SARS said in a statement on Thursday last week.
SARS is committed to ensure that legitimate refunds are paid as soon as possible.
As of 8am on Thursday last week, SARS had received 341 356 returns. The majority, 243 388, were submitted using eFiling, while 97 968 have submitted at a SARS branch.
The 2017 tax season opened on July 1 for eFilers, while it opened on July 3 for those filing their tax returns at SARS branches.
In the meantime, following numerous complaints by taxpayers not receiving their refunds for last year’s tax season, the tax ombudsman has prepared a provisional report following his investigation into the matter.
This follows hot on the heels of SARS warning taxpayers they will have to wait longer for their refunds this tax season.
Judge Bernard Ngoepe investigated alleged undue delays in the payments of refunds by the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
A provisional report has now been produced, a copy of which was given to SARS on July 3 for comment, the office of the ombud said in a statement issued on Thursday last week.
“We expect to receive SARS’s comments within three weeks, after which we would work towards producing a final report.”
Details of the report have not been released.
