Tax Ombud enlightens public on its services

Tax Ombud Bernard Ngoepe is confident that more people from Limpopo will make use of the services of the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) after representatives of the institution conducted a six days’ awareness campaign focused on the promotion of the institution’s services in the city since last Wednesday.
Officials of the OTO were deployed at Mall of the North at the Game foyer as well as at Mugg & Bean in Savannah Mall from last Wednesday until Sunday and the campaign culminated in a dialogue between Ngoepe and tax practitioners and interested persons at Fusion Boutique Hotel on Monday. Ngoepe, accompanied by Communications Senior Manager in the Office of the OTO Pearl Seopela also took the opportunity to pay a visit to the offices of Polokwane Observer last Wednesday.
Ngoepe indicated that the OTO works specifically with taxpayers who have been unable to resolve a service, procedural or administrative complaint through the normal complaints management channels of SARS. It does its utmost to assist taxpayers to resolve their concerns speedily and amicably before it becomes necessary for them to consider entering into protracted court processes. In this way, the OTO facilitates access to justice in South Africa and contributes to a culture of respect for the tax system and for taxpayers’ rights.
Ngoepe reiterated that the services of the OTO are free and that it offers an independent and impartial platform to engage with SARS. “All taxpayers are equally important to us, regardless of the amount involved and our values are accountability, independence, efficiency, fairness and confidentiality,” Ngoepe emphasised.
He said that only one complaint was received from Limpopo over the last year and that it was therefore indicative that taxpayers were not aware of the services offered by the OTO, hence the resolution to bring the campaign to Limpopo. “During the campaign our officials strived to create an interactive experience for taxpayers, coaching them on how to lodge a complaint against SARS and to provide information on the services of the OTO in general,” Ngoepe said.
Ngoepe explained that the OTO is built on a structure supported by four pillars, namely the Operations, Communication and Outreach, Office Enablement and Legal Services. Each is led and supported by hard-working and committed experts in their fields pursuing excellence to ensure delivery on the mandate of the institution.

Story, photos and videos: BARRY VILJOEN
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