SARS Penalties ****

Got an SMS stating a 2019 return that had to e submitted and i thought it was a "****" Then received an email of penalties that were levied. I loggen onto efiling and found it to be true. From their assessment, I owed them R3500 which included the penalty fee's. I tried phoniing and making contact witht them and on the few times I succeeded, I managed to upload supporting documents and the amount owing did not change. I lodged a request for re-assesment. I got a "final demand" letter, I borrowed the money and deposited the amount to their account. Two days ago I receive a letter stating that the verification was complete and they now owe me R2500. A day ago, they thank me for my submission and now list supporting documents (which they already have). If the documents are not provided to them, they will make an adjusted assessment and that would not be appealable and thus be final. I estimate the amount of time and telephone calls and trying to navigate their efiling site to be more than 12 hours.

In conclusion: They demand actions and payments but are unable to assist you to get it done, just so that they can claim, "penalties". The reason to question historic outstanding or mis-represented returns are just an automated process to identify people to target. They have all the information submitted by employers and medical aids and insurance companies and then still require you to re-submit this! I cannot imagine how many taxpayers have been caught with this **** but a simple calculation of a minimum of R250 for minimal amout of 200 000 taxpayers caught amounts to 50 million rand. This is hopefully going to be used productively, like they do with all government money.