Overview

As the 2026 Tax Filing Season approaches, tax practitioners face increasing pressure to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and compliance from the outset. This session, presented in collaboration with the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO), provides practical guidance drawn from real complaint trends, case insights, and recurring administrative challenges experienced during filing periods.

Led by Mr Frik Pretorius, Senior Manager: Legal Support Services at the OTO, the session equips practitioners with the knowledge and tools to proactively address common issues, resolve matters at SARS level, and avoid unnecessary escalation. Emphasis is placed on getting submissions right the first time, strengthening client processes, and improving overall filing season outcomes.

Webinar Content

Common Filing Season Challenges

• Causes of processing delays and backlogs within SARS systems, and how to minimise turnaround times
• Frequent triggers of incorrect or disputed assessments, including data mismatches and missing documentation
• Communication challenges with SARS and strategies to improve response and follow-up processes
• Common procedural errors and how to ensure full compliance with SARS requirements

Insights from the Office of the Tax Ombud

• Key complaint trends observed during previous filing seasons
• Root causes of disputes and practical measures to prevent escalation
• Real-life case examples illustrating how issues develop and how they could have been resolved earlier

Best Practices for Practitioners

• Techniques to ensure complete and accurate submissions “first time right”
• Improving client onboarding, verification, and document management processes
• Proactive communication strategies to manage client expectations and engage effectively with SARS

Competencies Developed

• Technical competence: Improved understanding of tax administration processes and SARS system navigation
• Risk management: Ability to identify and mitigate filing risks early in the process
• Compliance and accuracy: Enhanced capability to prepare and submit accurate, compliant tax returns
• Problem-solving and escalation awareness: Structured approaches to resolving issues and knowing when to escalate
• Client advisory skills: Strengthened ability to guide clients and manage expectations effectively
• Professional judgement: Enhanced decision-making in complex and compliance-driven scenarios

Presenters

Frik Pretorius

Acting Senior Manager: Legal Services and Systemic Investigations

Frik Pretorius was in private practice for six years before joining SARS as an Attorney in 1999. He was one of the first attorneys to start the Legal Department of SARS.

In 2006, he was appointed as the Legal Specialist of Gauteng South and was also involved in establishing the Alternative Dispute Resolution process as we know it today.

In his current role at the Office of the Tax Ombud, Pretorius is a Specialist: Legal Services, and provides comprehensive legal services across the organisation and is a member of the Operations Complaints Evaluation Committee and Dispute Resolution processes.

Yolisa Dyasi

Yolisa is a seasoned Tax Specialist and registered General Tax Practitioner (SA) with extensive experience at SARS, the Office of the Tax Ombud, and in private practice. She holds a B.Com Honours in Taxation from the University of Johannesburg and currently serves as National Tax Manager for one of South Africa’s largest property management companies, overseeing tax compliance for over 2,500 commercial clients. Yolisa is a respected authority in Tax Administration, known for her strong stakeholder engagement and dispute resolution skills. She regularly contributes to tax education through webinars, publications, and media appearances.

CPD

Attending this webinar and the successful completion of the online assessment will secure a certificate of completion for 1 hour of Tax CPD.

Event Investment

Complimentary access.