How to Appeal Against SARS Penalties

By Enk Kabng •  Updated: 10/03/24 •  5 min read

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is responsible for collecting taxes in South Africa. SARS may impose penalties and interest to encourage compliance when taxpayers fail to comply with their tax obligations. However, sometimes these penalties may be unwarranted or excessive, and taxpayers may want to appeal against them.

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Appealing against SARS penalties can be a daunting task, but it is important to understand the process and the grounds on which penalties can be appealed. In this blog post, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to appeal against SARS penalties in South Africa, as well as tips on how to increase your chances of success. Whether you are a business owner or an individual taxpayer, this guide will help you navigate the appeals process and protect your rights.

How do I appeal against SARS penalties?

If you want to appeal against a penalty imposed by the South African Revenue Service (SARS), you can follow the steps below:

Remember that penalties may continue to accrue while the objection and appeal process is underway. Therefore, acting quickly to lodge your objection and provide any necessary information and documents is important.

How do I submit a formal dispute to SARS?
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If you want to submit a formal dispute to the South African Revenue Service (SARS), you can follow the steps below:

It is important to note that the deadline for submitting a dispute is typically within 30 business days from the assessment date. You may lose your right to dispute the assessment if you miss this deadline. 

How do you get tax penalties waived?

In South Africa, tax penalties may be waived if you have a valid reason or grounds for the penalty to be waived. You can request the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to waive the penalty by following the steps below:

How do I get rid of tax penalties?

One can get rid of tax penalties for any valid reason by following the steps described above. However, SARS has strict requirements for granting penalty waivers, and each case is evaluated based on its merits. As a result, be as thorough as possible in your disclosures and consult experts as needed. If you have already paid the penalty, you can apply for a refund if SARS agrees to waive the penalty. Alternatively, you can request SARS to offset the penalty against any tax refunds you may be entitled to.

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