Pretoria, 22 July 2019 – SARS has already paid out R3.5 billion worth in refunds during Tax Season for eFilers and users of the SARS MobiApp between 01 July to date. During the first week of July, R1.5 billion in refunds were validated and released.

With two weeks left before branch filing opens, taxpayers are encouraged to beat the queues, file their returns on the SARS MobiApp and eFiling, and their claim will be attended to and resolved swiftly, if it is not flagged for audit. Even after the Opening of Branch Filing Season on 1 August 2019, SARS encourages taxpayers to use MobiApp and eFiling for a faster and efficient service. 

Tax filing season opened earlier for users of eFiling and the MobiApp allowing a speedier and convenient filing experience without the need to queue at a branch, offering digital support and services such as Help-You-eFilers that connects the taxpayer to a SARS tax agent for further guidance on eFiling, the call-back functionality on MobiApp and our Chat-Bot that provide real-time answers to Income Tax specific questions.

Once a tax return is assessed and a refund is due, it will take an average of seven days to be paid out, provided that no debt is due, all obligations have been met, and no verification or audit is required. 

To avoid delays, taxpayers are urged to respond to requests for supporting documents and confirmation of banking details.  These are validations that SARS must adhere to.

Taxpayers are also requested to ensure that third-party data from their service providers is correct and where such information is incorrect, it be raised with their service provider for re-submission.

Taxpayers may refer to the SARS Service Charter for service turnaround times.

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