‘write off’ means to reverse an outstanding tax debt either in whole or in part.
“Debtor” definition of section 192 of TAA
‘debtor’ means a taxpayer with a tax debt; and
“Compromise” definition of section 192 of TAA
‘compromise’ means an agreement entered into between SARS and a ‘debtor’ in respect of a tax debt in terms of which-
(a) the ‘debtor’ undertakes to pay an amount which is less than the full amount of the tax debt due by that ‘debtor’ in full satisfaction of the tax debt; and
(b) SARS undertakes to permanently ‘write off’ the remaining portion of the tax debt on the condition that the ‘debtor’ complies with the undertaking referred to in paragraph (a) and any further conditions as may be imposed by SARS;
“Companies Act” definition of section 192 of TAA
‘Companies Act’ means the Companies Act, 2008 (Act No. 71 of 2008);
Section 192 (TAA) – Definitions
192. Definitions
In this Chapter, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following terms, if in single quotation marks, have the following meanings:
Part A – General provisions (TAA)
Part A
General provisions
Chapter 14 – Write off or compromise of tax debts (TAA)
CHAPTER 14
WRITE OFF OR COMPROMISE OF TAX DEBTS
Section 191 (TAA) – Refunds subject to set-off and deferral
191. Refunds subject to set-off and deferral
(1) An amount refundable under section 190, including interest thereon under section 188(3)(a), must be treated as a payment by the taxpayer that is recorded in the taxpayer’s account under section 165, of an outstanding tax debt, if any, and any remaining amount must be set off against any outstanding debt under customs and excise legislation.
[Subsection (1) substituted by section 61 of Act 23 of 2015 and by section 39 of Act 33 of 2019]
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a tax debt-
(a) for which the period referred to in section 164(6) has not expired or suspension of payment under section 164 exists; or
(b) in respect of which an instalment payment agreement under section 167 or a compromise agreement under section 204 applies.
(3) An amount is not refundable if the amount is less than R100 or any other amount that the Commissioner may determine by public notice, but the amount must be carried forward in the taxpayer account.
Section 190 (TAA) – Refunds of excess payments
190. Refunds of excess payments
(1) SARS must pay a refund if a person is entitled to a refund, including interest thereon under section 188(3)(a), of-
[Words preceding paragraph (a) substituted by section 60 of Act 23 of 2015 effective on 1 October 2012]
(a) an amount properly refundable under a tax Act and if so reflected in an assessment; or
(b) the amount erroneously paid in respect of an assessment in excess of the amount payable in terms of the assessment.
(2) SARS need not authorise a refund as referred to in subsection (1) until such time that a verification, inspection, audit or criminal investigation of the refund in accordance with Chapter 5 has been finalised.
[Subsection (2) substituted by section 34(a) of Act 24 of 2020]
(3) SARS must authorise the payment of a refund before the finalisation of the verification, inspection, audit or criminal investigation if security in a form acceptable to a senior SARS official is provided by the taxpayer.
[Subsection (3) substituted by section 34(b) of Act 24 of 2020]
(4) An amount under subsection (1)(b) is regarded as a payment to the National Revenue Fund unless a refund is made in the case of—
(a) an assessment by SARS, within three years from the later of the date of the assessment or the erroneous payment;
[Paragraph (a) amended by section 21(a) of Act 22 of 2018]
(b) self-assessment, within five years from the later of the date the return had to be submitted or, if no return is required, payment had to be made in terms of the relevant tax Act or the erroneous payment was made; or
[Paragraph (b) amended by section 21(b) of Act 22 of 2018]
(c) an erroneous payment claimed by a taxpayer within the period referred to in paragraph (a) or (b), but not paid by SARS within the period.
[Paragraph (c) added by section 21(c) of Act 22 of 2018]
[Subsection (4) substituted by section 53 of Act 44 of 2014 and by section 60(1)(b) of Act 23 of 2015]
(5) If SARS pays to a person by way of a refund any amount which is not properly payable to the person under a tax Act, the amount, including interest thereon under section 187(1), is regarded as an outstanding tax debt from the date on which it is paid to the person.
[Subsection (5) substituted by section 71 of Act 39 of 2013 effective on 1 October 2012 and by section 60 of Act 23 of 2015 effective on 1 October 2012]
(5A) If a person who carries on the ‘business of a bank’ as defined in the Banks Act, 1990 (Act No. 94 of 1990), holds an account on behalf of a client into which an amount referred to in subsection (5) is deposited, reasonably suspects that the payment of the amount is related to a tax offence, the person must immediately report the suspicion to SARS in the prescribed form and manner and not proceed with the carrying out of any transaction in respect of the amount for a period not exceeding two business days unless-
(a) SARS or a High Court directs otherwise; or
(b) SARS issues a notice under section 179.
[Subsection (5A) inserted by section 60 of Act 23 of 2015 and substituted by section 28 of Act 13 of 2017 effective on 18 December 2017]
(6) A decision not to authorise a refund under subsection (1)(b) is subject to objection and appeal.
[Subsection (6) substituted by section 60 of Act 23 of 2015 effective on 8 January 2016]
Chapter 13 – Refunds (TAA)
CHAPTER 13
REFUNDS