Office of the Tax Ombud

Office of the Tax Ombud The Office of the Tax Ombud aim to provide taxpayers with a free, impartial, fair and expeditious channel for resolving their differences with SARS.

The Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) was established in October 2013 in terms of section 14 and 15 of the Tax Administration Act 208 of 2011, with the aim of providing taxpayers with a free, impartial, fair and expeditious channel for resolving their differences with SARS.

“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.”

Principles

•Accountability - administrative justice requires that taxpayers have a rational and fair reason for decisions made and actions taken by the South African Revenue Service. Our Office also has a duty to provide the same.

•Transparency - fairness requires that information and criteria used by SARS and our Office to inform decision making be made available to taxpayers.

•Efficiency - our Office has a duty to ensure a prompt resolution for complaints by following procedures that do not duplicate or contradict each other and cause additional administrative burden for taxpayers.

•Effectiveness - ensuring that our case management system identifies bona fide cases and adequately reviews them before referring them to SARS will increase the probability of a fair resolution for the taxpayer.

•Honesty - as an independent and impartial redress channel for taxpayers, we assist taxpayers who act honestly in relation to their tax obligations.

•Confidentiality - the Tax Ombud holds all communications with taxpayers in strict confidence unless authorised otherwise. Motto

“Fairness at All Times”

Smart taxpayers act when service delays require independent assistance.If your SARS complaint remains unresolved, the Ta...
15/09/2026

Smart taxpayers act when service delays require independent assistance.

If your SARS complaint remains unresolved, the Tax Ombud may be able to help.

Learn more: www.taxombud.gov.za

Smart taxpayers stay informed and know where to find support.If your SARS complaint remains unresolved, the Tax Ombud ma...
11/09/2026

Smart taxpayers stay informed and know where to find support.

If your SARS complaint remains unresolved, the Tax Ombud may be able to help.

Learn more: www.taxombud.gov.za

SACH Connect 2026 | Rustenburg: Where Business Meets BusinessWhat happens when business leaders, financial stakeholders,...
10/09/2026

SACH Connect 2026 | Rustenburg: Where Business Meets Business
What happens when business leaders, financial stakeholders, tax experts, and taxpayer advocates come together?
The Office of the Tax Ombud was proud to engage delegates at SACH Connect 2026, raising awareness of taxpayer rights and obligations.
Smart Taxpayers Make a Difference

At SACH Connect 2026 in Rustenburg, the Office of the Tax Ombud engaged business leaders and professionals on its servic...
10/09/2026

At SACH Connect 2026 in Rustenburg, the Office of the Tax Ombud engaged business leaders and professionals on its service.
Through ongoing stakeholder engagement, we continue to bring our services closer to taxpayers, ensuring that they know their rights and where to turn when their SARS service, procedural, or administrative complaints remain unresolved.
Smart Taxpayers Make a Difference by knowing their rights and using their voice.

At SACH Connect 2026 in Rustenburg, the Office of the Tax Ombud engaged business leaders and professionals on its servic...
10/09/2026

At SACH Connect 2026 in Rustenburg, the Office of the Tax Ombud engaged business leaders and professionals on its service.
Through ongoing stakeholder engagement, we continue to bring our services closer to taxpayers, ensuring that they know their rights and where to turn when their SARS service, procedural, or administrative complaints remain unresolved.
Smart Taxpayers Make a Difference by knowing their rights and using their voice.

Smart taxpayers take the next step when their complaint remains unresolved.If your SARS service complaint remains unreso...
09/09/2026

Smart taxpayers take the next step when their complaint remains unresolved.

If your SARS service complaint remains unresolved, the Tax Ombud may be able to help.
www.taxombud.gov.za

Building Stronger Ombud Institutions Through Global CollaborationMeaningful engagements are taking place at the 1st Tanz...
08/09/2026

Building Stronger Ombud Institutions Through Global Collaboration
Meaningful engagements are taking place at the 1st Tanzania Ombudsman Forum 2026, where Ombud leaders and experts from across the globe are exchanging insights and sharing best practices on strengthening accountability, fairness, and access to justice.
Pictured are:
• Ms Mmamelao Malakalaka, Acting CEO of the Office of the Tax Ombud, South Africa
• Prof. Ali Noroozi, Former Inspector-General of Taxation and Tax Ombudsman, Australia
• Ms Yanga Mputa, Tax Ombud of South Africa
• Dr. John C. Nwabueze, Tax Ombud and Chief Executive, Nigeria
• Ms. Ipeleng Makaba, Botswana Ombudsman
The Forum provides an important platform for fostering regional and international collaboration among Ombud institutions.
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Investor confidence is built on more than tax rates. It is built on trust, certainty, and fair administration.Speaking a...
08/09/2026

Investor confidence is built on more than tax rates. It is built on trust, certainty, and fair administration.
Speaking at the 1st Tanzania Ombudsman Forum 2026 in Arusha, South Africa's Tax Ombud, Yanga Mputa, highlighted the critical role Ombudsman institutions play in creating investment-friendly environments.
Investors do not only assess tax laws and treaties. They assess how those laws are administered, whether concerns are addressed fairly, and whether administrative challenges are resolved efficiently. Delayed refunds, unclear decisions, and recurring administrative failures can quickly become investment risks.
Drawing on the work of South Africa's Office of the Tax Ombud, she demonstrated how independent oversight strengthens tax administration, improves service delivery, identifies systemic issues, and builds confidence in the system. She also shared how recommendations from an Ombud investigation into eFiling profile hijacking influenced proposed legislative changes aimed at safeguarding taxpayers and protecting the integrity of the tax system.
A key message emerged from the discussion: tax certainty is experienced, not legislated.
As cross-border trade and investment continue to drive economic growth across the continent, Ombudsman institutions remain essential partners in fostering accountability, resolving administrative challenges, and building trust in public institutions.
"Investors do not invest in tax rates alone. They invest in tax certainty."

Tax Ombud Yanga Mputa joined a distinguished panel at the 1st Tanzania Ombudsman Forum 2026 in Arusha, Tanzania, to disc...
08/09/2026

Tax Ombud Yanga Mputa joined a distinguished panel at the 1st Tanzania Ombudsman Forum 2026 in Arusha, Tanzania, to discuss the role of Ombudsman institutions in investment projects and cross-border trade collaboration.
The panel brought together leading voices from business, academia, government, and dispute resolution, including Mr Sabato Mwaliki (KPMG), Dr Stergomena Lawrence Tax, Prof Ali Noroozi, Adv Respicius Emilian Mwijage, Mr Vincent Minja (TNCC), Mr Deogratius Massawe (TPSF), and Ms Emily Mwenewanda (UK-Tanzania Green Growth Facility).
The discussion explored how effective complaint handling, fair dispute resolution, and accountable public institutions contribute to investor confidence, regulatory certainty, and a more enabling environment for investment and trade.

At the 1st Tanzania Ombudsman Forum 2026 in Arusha, Tax Ombud Yanga Mputa is sharing insights on the critical role of ta...
08/09/2026

At the 1st Tanzania Ombudsman Forum 2026 in Arusha, Tax Ombud Yanga Mputa is sharing insights on the critical role of tax complaint and dispute handling in enhancing investment (FDI), and cross-border trade.

Address

2nd Floor, Menlyn Corner, 87 Frikkie De Beer Str, Menlyn
Pretoria
0028

Opening Hours

Monday 08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 16:00
Thursday 08:00 - 16:00
Friday 08:00 - 16:00

Telephone

0800662837

Website

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