Application for reduced assessments

Where taxpayers are aggrieved by assessments issued by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the Tax Administration Act[1] makes provision for a dispute resolution process, whereby a taxpayer can request reasons for an assessment, object to an assessment, and if necessary, further appeal procedures are available. Dispute resolution is process-orientated, and strict rules prescribe the form, dates and general procedures applicable to both taxpayers and SARS. Given the involved process, dispute resolution is often costly, with professional assistance being required to ensure compliance with the system. When there are obvious mistakes in an assessment (as opposed to matters of substance or interpretation), going through a dispute resolution process can be a frustrating process for taxpayers, since amounts assessed should never have arisen in the first place. 

Fortunately, the Act makes provision (in section 93), for SARS to make reduced assessments if SARS is satisfied that “there is a readily apparent undisputed error in the assessment” by SARS or the taxpayer in a return. SARS may make such reduced assessments even though no objection has been lodged, or no appeal has been noted. There are however some difficulties in applying section 93, both practically and in substance.

 

On a practical level, neither the Act nor any dispute resolution rules make provision for the process to be followed in terms of section 93. In a recent tax court decision,[2] the judge concluded the following regarding the process:

 

However, the basis on which a taxpayer can have a matter considered under s 93(1)(d) is clearly not by way of objection to, or appeal against, an assessment. A separate procedure is available for these. Neither does it envisage a formal application. It seems to me that it is simply by way of a request.

 

The request procedure, unfortunately, leaves the taxpayer out in the cold, since it is doubtful that an outcome to the request would have been obtained within 30 business days after an assessment was issued – the period within which an objection was required to be lodged. An application in terms of section 93 will not suspend the period during which an objection is required to be lodged – should the request ultimately be denied; the taxpayer has severely damaged his chances on success if objection is the next recourse, since the objection may potentially be submitted late.

 

Equally challenging, is that there is no clear indication or definition for what would amount to a “readily apparent undisputed error”. What may be very apparent to the taxpayer, may not be interpreted as such by SARS. Arguably, a “readily apparent undisputed error” would be something along the lines of incorrect tax rates applied, or incorrect penalty percentages applied – requiring minimal (if any) interpretation of tax provisions.

 

Although providing an avenue for the reduced assessments for taxpayers, a request in terms of section 93 should be managed very cautiously, as it may be necessary to run a parallel objection process to ensure that taxpayers are not jeopardised in the other remedies available to them, in the event of an unsuccessful request.

 

[1] No 28 of 2011 (“the Act”).

[2] Rampersadh and Another v Commissioner for the South African Revenue Service and Others (5493/2017) [2018] ZAKZPHC 36 (27 August 2018).

 

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied on as legal or other professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your financial adviser for specific and detailed advice. Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)