Waiting for your SARS refund? These are the reasons your payment could have been delayed

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has already paid out billions in tax refunds during the 2026 filing season, but some individuals may have to wait longer before receiving their money.

The revenue service has paid around R8 billion in refunds, with many taxpayers receiving their money within 72 hours of their assessments being completed.

The taxman has auto-assessed around 1.9 million people so far and expects to auto-assess about six million taxpayers during the 2026 filing season.

"As at the end of July 1, 2026, more than 1.9 million taxpayers were auto-assessed, with about R8 billion in refunds paid out in 72 hours," SARS said.

However, not all taxpayers will receive their refunds immediately, as several factors can delay payments. According to SARS, several issues can delay payments, including:

• When your banking details have been identified for verification, the process can take up to 21 business days from the date all required supporting documents are received. Once the bank details validation process has been completed, the refund should be paid within 72 hours.
• If your Income Tax return is selected for verification, it may take up to 21 business days from the date all required supporting documents are received to conclude a verification, whereafter the refund should be paid within 72 hours.
• Where multiple tax years are submitted and are selected for the audit verification, the verification process will be finalised within 90 business days from the date all required supporting documents were received for all the tax years being verified.
• If your return is selected for audit, it could take up to 90 business days from the date of receipt of all the required supporting documents in a complete and correct manner unless alternative arrangements are communicated, whereafter the refund should be paid within 72 hours.

• If you have outstanding returns the refund will not be paid until all outstanding tax returns have been submitted.
• If your banking details are incorrect.
• If you have outstanding debt on your account, the debt equalisation process may be initiated to deduct an amount from your refund and pay towards any outstanding tax debt prior to release of any credit available thereafter.

[email protected]

IOL Business

Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS now