Taxpayer frustrations have been increasing recently. For one thing, the SARS e-filing system is not as user-friendly as you would think it should be. If a taxpayer is outside of the system or is returning to South Africa after an absence, I can vouch for the fact that it is extremely difficult to re-register and become compliant.
READ:How SARS hampers your lawyers
This is because the old security information still sits on the SARS computers. Most returnees cannot remember old cell numbers and other outdated information, thus are effectively blocked. The call centres cannot help and a visit to the nearest SARS branch will quickly show that the powers of counsellors are very limited. Many of the attorneys, taxpayers and accountants I’ve spoken to complain of the extreme difficulty of getting reasonable results out of the new system.
Honestly, it was easier to submit forms and get issues resolved in the days before e-filing was introduced.
Indignation at corruption
Another disconcerting trend I’ve noticed is that certain companies and some professionals have become somewhat…
well, institutionalised. They seem very much in favour of the new style of doing things and have a puzzling attitude that is decidedly in favour of SARS. Obviously we have to pay our taxes, but in light of acknowledged corruption and misuse of public funding, one would surely expect a little sympathy and consideration for the taxpayer.
The wave of letters generated by the recent announcement of increases in taxation had a common thread: indignation at the fact that the shortfall required to be made good in terms of taxes seems less than some analysts’ projections of the amount of money lost to corruption!
Do your homework every time
My advice is to find a sympathetic tax practitioner and keep a meticulous record of personal details in case you ever have to provide proof to a call centre. When filing objections, in particular, take care to ensure that the taxpayer has proof of the office to which and the date upon which the objection was lodged, as there is a danger of time-barring if this is not done.
SARS tax assessments should be directed to an address where you can get the assessment, otherwise, once again, time barring can result. Use the tax practitioner’s address for this purpose and, when changing addresses, obtain a proper acknowledgment that the new address is in the system.
Use remote data storage
Keep all your information ‘in the cloud’, so that in the event of a computer malfunction, the data is still available. It is also a good idea to ensure that the information on the SARS system is correct and up to date. Once it is in order, keep it that way, otherwise frustration and delays will dog your efforts to remain compliant.