The office of the tax ombud (OTO) issued its annual report for 2021/22

12 October 2022

OTO celebrates nine years of ensuring fairness by helping hundreds of taxpayers secure their refunds from SARS. This includes R215 million in top 10 tax refunds collectively paid to taxpayers through the intervention of the OTO. 

This is one of the many highlights discussed at the launch of the Tax Ombud Annual Report 2021/22.

Prof Legwaila, who was last week appointed the Acting Tax Ombud said he was pleased that the OTO had made a tangible difference in taxpayers’ lives, helping resolve 1 561 taxpayer complaints during the reporting period.

Read more in the Tax Ombud Annual Report 2021/22 here.

How does the OTO assist taxpayers?

The mandate of the Tax Ombud is to review and address any complaint by a taxpayer regarding a service matter or a procedural or administrative matter arising from the application of the provisions of a Tax Act by SARS; and review, systemic and emerging issues related to a service matter or the application of the provisions of this Act or procedural or administrative provisions of a tax Act.

How does the OTO process work?

OTO offers an independent and impartial platform to engage SARS as a redress channel for taxpayers. Before approaching the Tax Ombud, taxpayers should ensure that they have exhausted SARS’ internal complaint resolution mechanisms unless there are compelling circumstances for not doing so. If you are still not satisfied with the way SARS has handled your complaint, you may approach the OTO. If your complaint falls within our mandate, OTO will do everything possible to find a solution to your problem.

Learn more about this process from the OTO’s website here.