Parliament hears of complaints against SARS's and perceived 'heavy-handedness'
Some of the complaints against SARS are from professional bodies like the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).
Outside the South African Revenue Service's Tshwane headquarters. Picture: X/@CityTshwane
CAPE TOWN - Complaints against the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and perceived “heavy-handedness” by the tax collector have come under the spotlight in Parliament.
The office of the tax ombud briefed the standing committee on finance on its strategic plan on Wednesday, and highlighted how it was working on resolving taxpayer complaints, including those of unprofessional conduct by SARS officials.
Some of the complaints against SARS are from professional bodies like the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA).
Tax ombud, Yanga Mputa, told the committee the institution’s strategic focus for the next five years is to promote a fair and accountable tax administration system, and to resolve taxpayer complaints efficiently and impartially.
She said on the issue of taxpayer trust, they noted concerns raised during the 2025 budget hearings, regarding perceived heavy-handedness by SARS in enforcing tax compliance.
"In particular, SAICA’s observations regarding perceived heavy-handedness by SARS in enforcing tax compliance. These concerns raised by SAICA resonated patterns we have also observed through complaints submitted to the tax ombud, including instances of unprofessional conduct by the SARS officials."
Mputa also told the committee that the Minister of Finance, in August last year, also granted the tax ombud approval to do a systemic investigation into SARS on the hijacking of taxpayer profiles.
She says once they receive comments from SARS by 4 July 2025, their report will be open for public comments.