The Ministry of Finance in South Africa has officially launched a service known as the Tax Ombud, whose main aim is to deal with taxpayer complaints in respect of the procedural and administrative issues arising in their dealings with the South African Revenue Service (SARS). This has been designed along the same lines as similar institutions in Canada and the UK. The Tax Ombud provides a straightforward and free channel for taxpayers with genuine grievances about maladministration, poor service or breach of taxpayer rights to raise an objection. The Ombud is not empowered to review tax policy or legislation or any issues already under appeal, but it can look at administrative aspects of appeals or court proceedings. The Tax Ombud is to report to the Minister of Finance and will produce an annual report summarizing activities in the year.
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