TAXPAYER RIGHTS
SARS's new service charter may repair trust, but taxpayer bill of rights is needed
A service charter that will enable taxpayers to keep the South African Revenue Service (SARS) accountable on its service promises will soon be released to the public. But there is still no word on the release of a taxpayer bill of rights proposed by the Davis tax committee in its final report on tax administration. Acting SARS commissioner Mark Kingon has committed the tax authority to releasing the long-overdue service charter on July 1. It has already been released internally to SARS staffers and the Office of the Tax Ombud. SARS is reviewing comments received on the charter and this work should be completed soon. Kingon says it is "a living document" and tweaks can be made if the need arises. South African Institute of Tax Professionals vice-chairwoman of the tax administration committee, Elle-Sarah Rossato, says SARS launched a "basic" charter in 2007. It committed the agency to, among other things, answer 90% of its calls within 20 seconds, attend to 95% of visitors to a SARS o...
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