For the 2026 filing season, a SARS refund is usually paid within 72 hours when your assessment is valid, your bank details are verified and there are no outstanding issues. That 72-hour target does not mean every refund arrives three days after filing.
The normal SARS refund timeline
For a valid refund of R100 or more, SARS says payment should generally follow within 72 hours. A refund below R100 is carried forward on your SARS account until the balance exceeds R100.
The clock starts after SARS has processed the assessment and cleared any required checks. It does not necessarily start when you press Submit on eFiling. You can use the SARS refund-status service to see what is happening.
Why is my SARS refund delayed?
The most common reason is bank-account verification. SARS may take up to 21 business days to verify changed or unverified banking details. Once the verification is complete, payment should follow within 72 hours if there is no other hold.
A tax return selected for verification can also take up to 21 business days after SARS receives the required supporting documents. An audit can take up to 90 business days after SARS receives complete and correct documents.
- Your banking details are wrong or still awaiting verification.
- You have an outstanding tax return.
- SARS selected the return for verification or audit.
- You owe SARS money and debt equalisation may reduce the refund.
- Documents are missing, incomplete or not linked to the correct case.
How to check the refund
You can check through SARS WhatsApp on 0800 11 7277, the SARS MobiApp or USSD by dialling *134*7277#. You will need to authenticate with your identity details and tax reference number.
Also review CodeCash’s guide to delays in SARS bank-account verification. If SARS requested documents, upload exactly what the correspondence asks for and keep the submission confirmation.
When should you contact SARS?
First check the assessment status, banking details, outstanding returns and correspondence. Contact SARS if the relevant waiting period has passed, your documents were submitted correctly and the status still does not make sense. Never pay a third party to release a refund.