SARS, going backwards fast and furiously.

Submitted my 2024 tax return + required evidance in Aug of same year. No feedback re rebate within the stipulated 21 days. Escalated twice through call centre - without positive outcome. This took me to Dec 2024. Decided then to lodge a compliant, and the call centre guided me through the process. Received letter from complaints dept. ons same day, saying I havent given SARS enough time (the 21 days). Figured out one must use your orginal case #, not your esclation/s case#'s. Decided to rather book a face-to-face at the Ashley Gardens office, with the intent to speak to a human being and get the issue resolved, exacerbated by the fact that in Dec the SARS office customer line kept on saying they dont take any more calls since they are overloaded!

Arrived in Jan at the Ashley Gardens office in great spirit believing an in-person meeting will close this simple matter. Was received by a consultant who tried her best, but she could only escalate again....she then advised I speak to her team leader. What is dissapointment: was met by a condencending team leader who first walked aorund talking to everyone and filling up his water bottle and eventually though it worth his time to address my concern. He started by explaining (and drawing) the process of escalation - compliant - ombudsmen, to me. When he eventually stopped drawing pictures, I asked him to look at my case file. He then said I must lodge another compliant and give SARS 15 days (which is actually incorrect, its 21 days, but when I asked him isnt it 21 days, he told me in no uncertain terms he knows his work - only to be told by the Compliants dept supervisor later he was actually wrong).

After some back and forth he offered to lodge the complaint for me and also escalate again...but only after I gave him the feedback that he is dismissive of me and displays disrespect. So, I am back at waiting another 21 days!

After this indaba, I am sad to say that the great SARS I have known and was proud of until 2023, is quickly regresssing to be a great dissapointment...whilst earning interest on my rebate monies...