SARS

I have always had a healthy respect for SARS and I have always submitted my returns on time, coughed up the dosh when asked and generally been a model citizen in this regard.

Last year when we could register for e-filing, I left it a bit late and try as might, I couldn't register because of my name. I tried every conceivable combination of "d'Oger de Speville" you can think of but still got the message - number does not match surname. So, due to the time constraints and my desire to be a goodie two shoes, I downloaded the form, filled it in, printed it off, attached all the documentation I could think of to substantiate the information I had supplied, got in my car and zipped off to my local SARS office.

SARS are in an exceptionally grim building in Germiston. Goodness knows which school that architect went to. The queue was out the front door and round the corner but moving at a reasonable pace. So I stood in it cursing myself for not registering and sorting out my electronic name. Once inside, it is not too bad. The staff has really tried to jolly the place up with posters showing exotic holiday locations and little waterfall things in the corners - even a couple of little fairies perched on artificial rocks. I handed in my form and got a stamp to prove it and went home.

In April this year, I received a query from them. They returned my completed form with ticks all over the place and one big cross - reminiscent of homework assignments. And they returned all my documentation with a big note that they didn't need and if I read the form properly I would see that they hadn't even asked for it. So, I figured out what I had done wrong filling out the form, got in my car and headed off to the SARS office again. I also took all my documentation so that I could show the assessor how I had just put something in the wrong place.

The SARS people in my local are really nice, friendly and helpful - and always have been. I met with a pleasant young woman who listened to my story, grabbed all my papers, went through them and then pushed all this supporting documentation back to me. She corrected my error online and re-submitted my return. And gave me a little lecture about only submitting supporting documentation if they needed it and I should read the form thoroughly before sending it in. I told her that "I got the message" - and clutching the wad of paper and a receipt, left the office.

So yesterday, I received this large letter from SARS - they only seem to ever use A4 size stationery. And guess what, they have asked me to submit all my supporting documentation.