If you’ve filed your tax return with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the next question is when your refund will be paid. SARS doesn’t have a separate “refund tracker” app. You check your refund on SARS eFiling, the SARS MobiApp or SARS’s WhatsApp service.
Last checked: 2 November 2026, against SARS’s Monthly Tax Digest for July 2026.
When SARS finishes your assessment it issues an ITA34 notice of assessment, the document that tells you where you stand. A minus sign next to the amount on your ITA34 means SARS owes you a refund; no minus sign means you owe SARS.
ALSO READ: Why Your SARS Refund Is Delayed – And What You Can Do About It
How long does a SARS refund take?
SARS says a refund is usually paid within 72 hours once it is valid. It can take longer when:
- Your banking details need verification. Checking banking details can take up to 21 business days, and SARS pays within 72 hours once they are validated.
- Your return is selected for verification. SARS may take up to 21 business days to finalise it after SARS receives all documents.
- Your return is selected for an audit. SARS may take up to 90 business days after SARS receives all documents.
- You have outstanding returns, incorrect banking details or tax debt to resolve first.
How to check your SARS refund status
- SARS eFiling: log in at sarsefiling.co.za and open your returns history to see your latest assessment (ITA34) and your statement of account.
- SARS MobiApp: log in on your phone to see your assessment.
- WhatsApp: SARS asks taxpayers to check their refund status on its WhatsApp service, 0800 11 7277, before contacting SARS about a delay.
Make sure your contact details and banking information are correct, because wrong details delay refunds.
What to do if you still haven’t been paid
- Recheck your banking details on eFiling.
- Review your statement of account on eFiling to see if the refund was used to settle a previous debt.
- Respond to any SARS request for documents or verification.
- Call SARS on 0800 00 7277 or book an appointment at a branch.
Tips to get your refund faster
- File your return early in the filing season.
- Make sure your details are accurate, especially your banking information.
- Respond quickly to any SARS request for documents.
READ MORE: Forgot Your SARS Password? Here’s How to Reset It Without Visiting a Branch
For official information, visit sars.gov.za.
