This letter serves to inform fellow citizens of our rights.
Being a good citizen we filed our returns when filing season opened at the beginning of July.
Due to the economic climate, we had a refund for the company and I was requested to verify the banking details in person.
This to eliminate fraudulent elements. I accept that.
Yesterday I went in and a very pleasant and polite lady reminded me of something else I needed.
I got it together, ticking it off a list on the letter we had received from SARS Alberton.
This morning I again queued at SARS Benoni and waited my turn.
This time, as my number was called, another lady next to the waiting group bellowed my number again.
As I sat down I was told in a very gruff and rude manner that she could not help me as one copy was not certified.
(And this, the copy I had to get after yesterday’s visit, it was not on the list.)
I kindly reminded her that, according to SARS, they MUST certify what is not certified.
She said she must produce!
I told her not to make her problem mine, and to do her job and sort out my query.
She stormed off and got the copy certified, screaming to the people at the entrance that they were not to allow anyone in unless all documents were correct and certified.
When she returned she had calmed down and did help me sort out my verification request.
She also apologised for earlier on.
I accepted the apology and told her she was not helping us and that her health would suffer if that was how she started the day.
As I left I reminded the two stern gentlemen at the door that SARS said they would certify what was not certified and showed them the letter.
Neither was aware of it. The older man still said he certifies documents for the “older” ones (I’m grey so I qualified), but the young ones he sends to the bank around the corner.
That is not what SARS says.
If you have to leave your place in the queue and queue at the bank and then return and queue again at SARS, your whole morning is wasted by rules that some personnel are making up and not according to what SARS allows.
Know your rights. After all, we pay their salaries.
