If you’re unhappy with your 2024 tax refund, the good news is you do have recourse with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). For many, with relatively straightforward 2024 tax returns, the process takes mere minutes through the SARS eFiling or MobiApp portals. In fact, for the vast majority of South African taxpayers, the trickiest task is remembering or changing your SARS username and password.
Moreover, the revenue service has already boasted its efficient payout of more than R10 billion to 1.6 million taxpayers through its SARS auto-assessment programme. However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing this season for SARS, with tens of thousands complaining of tax refunds being inexplicably reversed with zero warning. The revenue service subsequently apologised, citing a systems glitch that confirmed approval of tax refunds.
UNHAPPY WITH YOUR 2024 TAX REFUND?
However, we asked the tax experts at TaxTim if you have any recourse if you’re unhappy with your 2024 tax refund. The main course of action if you’ve been paid a refund but are unhappy with the amount is to lodge a complaint with the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) free of charge.
According to the OTO website, it is independent, impartial and committed to improve South Africa’s tax administration. Likewise, the OTO insists all information is treated in strict confidence and will not impact any future dealings with SARS. Therefore, if you are unhappy with your 2024 tax return, the complaint process goes like so:
- Email: [email protected]
- Or telephone: 0800 662 837 to receive a complaint form.
- You may also visit in person at Menlyn Corner, 2nd Floor, 87 Frikkie de Beer Street, Menlyn, Pretoria.
WHAT THE OTO WILL NEED FROM YOU
If you’re unhappy with your 2024 tax refund, it is critical you complete the complaint form correctly. And make sure to include the following information to back up your argument:
- Document the situation of your complaint in chronological order.
- Indicate clearly the tax period of your complaint and your desired outcome.
- Include the case number relevant to your complaint with SARS.
- Attach all relevant supporting documents.
- Quote your tax reference number clearly.
- You may have a representation do this for you, but only with a valid power of attorney in place.
Once all of the above has been captured, the OTO will issue a letter of acknowledgement. From there it will check the validity of the complaint and recommend a course of action to you. If there is insufficient evidence to go with your complaint, the OTO may terminate the matter. Or it may give you another opportunity to provide evidence for your case.
If the OTO sees your complaint is valid, it will check if you have exhausted all avenues of recourse with the SARS complaints mechanism. Remember, the Ombud’s mandate is to find if SARS’ service, procedure or administration have failed you in some way. If so, the OTO will recommend to SARS through a letter how to remedy the situation.
HOW HAVE YOU FOUND 2024 TAX SEASON?
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