SARS Withholding My Tax Refund

Title: SARS Withholding My Tax Refund Since 2023 Despite Multiple Proof Submissions and Numerous Case Numbers

I am extremely frustrated and disappointed with the way SARS has handled my tax matter.

This issue has been ongoing since 2023, and despite my full cooperation, repeated submissions of supporting documents, branch visits, phone calls, and even appointing a tax practitioner at my own expense, my matter remains unresolved.

My tax reference number is *** and over the years SARS has opened numerous cases on my account, including:

******************464

Every time I follow up, a new case number is created, but no actual resolution is provided.

The issue originated after my lawful surname change from Linda Botha to Linda Noppé following marriage, together with banking verification concerns relating to bank accounts that have always belonged to me personally. I supp**** my old and new ID documents, banking confirmations, proof of address, and every document requested by SARS.

SARS also requested proof of payments of R179.88. I provided proof from both my FNB and Standard Bank accounts showing these payments were made by me.

My 2026 assessment reflects a refund due of R9,275.52, with:

No outstanding returns No unprocessed payments No audit or verification selected

Yet SARS still has not released the money.

To make matters worse, the Office of the Tax Ombud recently terminated its review because SARS advised that there was supposedly no indication that proof of payment had been submitted, despite the fact that this proof has been provided multiple times over several years.

I find it unacceptable that SARS expects taxpayers to pay immediately when money is owed to SARS, yet can withhold a taxpayer's refund for years without accountability.

After more than three years, countless emails, branch visits, telephone calls, multiple complaint cases and significant personal expense, I am simply asking for:

A clear explanation of what is still outstanding. Confirmation that all requested documents have been received. Confirmation that my banking details are valid. Immediate release of the assessed refund of R9,275.52.

I hope a senior SARS official reviews this matter urgently because the current process appears to involve creating new case numbers instead of resolving the actual issue.

Linda Noppé Tax ***