Madam – Do you have any complaints about SARS (The South African Revenue Services)?
THERE IS HELP….
My complaint is a long and frustrating one but with a happy ending! Please note I completed my 2013 tax return on time. In December 2013, I received my assessment; they were owing me a refund.
In February 2014 a letter saying they disallowed my deductions and therefore an assessment in which I owed them money. Then several letters and phone calls later I asked for a Notice of Objection (N.O.O.).
At the beginning of August 2014 I returned the N.O.O with:
1. Copies of medical aid deductions;
2. A letter from my doctor stating the need for certain tablets;
3. A letter from the chemist with the amount it costs me.
In September 2014 I received an SMS saying the “change was approved”. In October 2014 I received my 2014 assessment again owing me a refund. In January 2015, I asked them to please finalise 2013 and 2014 with a summary of all our letters. However there was still no response.
In February 2015 I completed a Complaints Form from the Tax Board (Office of the Tax Ombud) and hey presto!!
On the 7th May 2015 I received a message from my bank – the South African Revenue Services had refunded all they owed me for 2013 and 2014.
I wish to thank the Office of the Tax Ombud – Tollfree Number 0800 662 837.
Gideon Booysen – Utrecht
