Lodging a return with SARS...

Lodging a return with SARS...

Certified a true copy of the original,
I am a Commissioner of Oaths, he whined
Three copies of a unique document stamped,
And stamped and duly signed.

“Take this to the Receiver” he yelled
Take it oh so quick!
Drive there fast, don’t kill yerself,
I noticed your tyres are slick!

Wait in line and don’t complain,
What do think we pay you for?!
Here, take a fiver for a drink,
A long queue will greet you I’m sure…

Look neat and tidy in our uniform,
Don’t be sluggish and stand up straight,
And don’t forget to keep your mobile on,
Just in case we must communicate…

Or…you could just use eFiling…Pffft!
Wow, I’m bored…

Not sure how things work overseas, but in South Africa (Cry, for it is my beloved country - no reference to Alan Paton intended...Ok. ok, maybe there was a LITTLE intent therin...) we are required to submit a tax return if you "earn above the threshhold"...Whatever that means exactly...Pffft! Stats suggest that out of a country of 45 million people, only about 2 million actually pay tax...not counting that fantatstic invention we call VAT nor road and fuel taxes...Which makes me wonder how our country ever survived before our current 'democratic' government...They (*ahem*) claim that revenue from taxes has increased by 100% since the advent of post-apartheid South Africa...Yet department turnaround in terms of service delivery and public-fund utilisation has decreased by a relatively even margin...HOW can this be so?

I will tell you how, and it can be summed up in one word: The mismanagement and misdirected utilisation of public revenue by corrupt government officials who were voted into a position of trust by the 'ignorant' masses...Ok, so that was twenty-four words, but who's counting hey?!

My point? Well, I am about to submit my tax return...and yes, I will dutifully pay my debt...but will it help fix that dangerous pot-hole in the municipal road outside my office? I doubt it...Maybe a tad cynical you might think, but I'm over disappointment for now...and cynicism creates a lowered sense of expectation...

My rant is over for now...Till next time (If that even happens folks!)...