Why Your SARS Refund Is Delayed — And What You Can Do About It

It’s tax season in South Africa, and if you’re expecting money back from the South African Revenue Service (SARS), you’re not alone. But what happens when that refund doesn’t show up? Many South Africans are asking the same thing: Why is my SARS refund delayed?

If your SARS refund is delayed, it could be for several reasons. In this article, we’ll break down the most common causes and tell you what steps you can take to fix it.

ALSO READ: SARS Warns Taxpayers to Double-Check Banking Details Before the 2025 Tax Season

1. Your Return Is Being Verified

One of the most common reasons your SARS refund is delayed is because your tax return was selected for verification. This means SARS is double-checking your details before they can process your refund.

If you claimed things like

Medical expenses
Retirement annuity contributions
Travel deductions

SARS might ask you to upload supporting documents. According to SARS, this can take up to 21 working days from the day you submit the documents.

What you should do:

Log in to your SARS eFiling profile or MobiApp.
Check if you have a verification or audit notice.
Upload all documents clearly and quickly.

2. You Have Outstanding Returns or Debt

Even if your current return shows a refund, SARS won’t pay it if:

You haven’t filed past returns.
You owe money to SARS.

What you should do:

Check your compliance status on SARS eFiling.
File any missing returns.
Pay any outstanding tax or arrange a payment plan.
Call SARS at 0800 00 7277 if you’re unsure.

3. Your Banking Details Need to Be Verified

SARS only pays refunds into verified South African bank accounts in your name. If the name on your account doesn’t match your tax profile, your SARS refund will be delayed.

What you should do:

Make sure your banking details on eFiling are correct.
If SARS asks, upload proof of account ownership.
You can also use this banking details guide to help.

4. SARS Is Processing Too Many Returns

During peak tax season, SARS receives thousands of returns every day. If yours needs manual checking, it might be delayed simply because of a backlog.

What you should do:

Be patient if your return is clean and no documents are requested.
Keep checking the SARS Newsroom or their official social media pages for updates.

5. SARS Is Checking for Fraud

To stop fraud, SARS checks returns for suspicious activity. If anything looks unusual, like large or unusual deductions, they might delay your refund while they investigate.

What you should do:

Only claim deductions you can back up.
Double-check your return before you submit.
If you think your identity has been used without your permission, report it on the SARS fraud page.

6. Your Employer or Medical Aid Sent Wrong Info

SARS compares your return with data from employers, medical aid funds, and banks. If something doesn’t match, your refund might be held up.

What you should do:

Wait for all third-party data to reflect on eFiling before you submit.
Use auto-assessment if it’s available to you; it’s faster and more accurate.

How Long Does an SARS Refund Take?

If everything is in order, SARS may pay your refund within 72 hours. But if your return is selected for verification, it could take up to 21 working days or more.

Refunds are only paid into a verified South African bank account that matches your name.

Still Waiting for Your Refund?

If your SARS refund is delayed and it’s been longer than expected, here’s what you can do:

Call SARS: 0800 00 7277
Book an appointment: Use the SARS eBooking system to visit a branch.
Complain through eFiling: If your issue is unresolved, submit a complaint via your eFiling account.
Contact the Tax Ombud: If SARS delays your refund without good reason, reach out to the Tax Ombud.

How to Avoid Delays Next Time

File early in the season.
Keep your details and bank account info up to date.
Only claim deductions you can prove.
Keep all receipts and documents.
Review your return before clicking “submit”.

Disclaimer: This article is based on SARS processes as of 2025. For the latest updates, visit the official SARS website or call their contact centre.