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SARS Refund Delayed? 7 Reasons and What to Do
Waiting for a SARS tax refund? See seven common reasons for delays, how to check your refund status and when to lodge a complaint
August 21, 2026 at 1:59:55 PM
August 21, 2026 at 1:59:55 PM
🕒 15 min read
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A tax assessment showing money owed to you does not always mean SARS will pay it immediately. Your refund may be held while SARS checks your return, validates your bank account, waits for old returns or applies part of the credit to tax debt.
SARS says it aims to pay nine out of every ten refunds due within 72 hours when the refund exceeds R100. That is a service target, not a guarantee. It applies only when the refund has passed the required checks and there is nothing else blocking payment.
This guide explains the seven main reasons a SARS refund may be delayed, how to identify the problem and what to do next.
Quick answer: Check the refund through the SARS MobiApp or the official SARS WhatsApp service on 0800 11 7277. Then open your Income Tax Statement of Account and SARS correspondence on eFiling. These should show whether the delay involves bank verification, return verification, an audit, outstanding returns or tax debt.
How long should a SARS refund take?
The normal 72-hour target should not be confused with the time allowed for verification or an audit.
The clock normally depends on SARS receiving all requested documents in a complete and correct form. Merely uploading a file is not enough if you did not click Submit or if SARS later asks for more information.
Seven reasons your SARS refund is delayed
1. Your banking details are incorrect
SARS cannot pay a refund into an invalid account. Problems may arise when an account number or branch code is wrong, an account is closed, or the account is not registered in the taxpayer's name.
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