Independent SARS refund guide
SARS Auto-Assessment Refund
If you receive a SARS auto-assessment and agree with it, check whether a refund is due and whether your banking details are correct. SARS guidance says a due refund can be expected within approximately 72 hours when the relevant conditions are met.
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What an auto-assessment refund is
Auto-assessment is a SARS process where SARS uses information it already has from third-party data providers to issue an assessment for taxpayers whose affairs are less complicated. If you receive an auto-assessment notice, the first step is to log into eFiling or the SARS MobiApp through official routes and view the assessment.
If you agree with the assessment and it shows a refund due, SARS guidance says there may be nothing more to do except wait for payment, provided the relevant conditions are met. If you owe SARS, the assessment should show payment information. If you do not agree, you must follow the official process to file or correct the return.
Refund timing after auto-assessment
The phrase “approximately 72 hours” often appears around auto-assessment refunds, but it still depends on the same practical checks:
- The assessment must show a refund is due.
- Banking details with SARS must be correct.
- SARS must not need verification, audit, or other account action.
- Debt or outstanding returns must not block the refund.
If one of those items is not clear, use official SARS status channels rather than assuming the refund is simply late.
What to check before waiting
Use this order:
- Confirm the auto-assessment notice through eFiling or SARS MobiApp.
- Check whether the assessment shows a refund or an amount payable.
- Check whether SARS shows any verification, audit, or supporting-material request.
- Confirm that bank details are current through SARS official systems.
- Watch for scam messages that imitate auto-assessment or refund wording.
If you disagree with the auto-assessment
Do not ignore it and do not rely on an unofficial guide for account action. SARS guidance says taxpayers who do not agree can access the return through eFiling or the SARS MobiApp and follow the official process. Deadlines can matter, so use SARS directly for the current tax-year rules.
This site can explain the route, but it cannot decide whether your assessment is correct.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need to accept an auto-assessment to get a refund?
SARS guidance says if you agree with an auto-assessment and a refund is due, there may be nothing more to do except monitor official channels. Check the current SARS wording for your tax year.
What if I do not agree with the auto-assessment?
Use eFiling or the SARS MobiApp to review the assessment and follow official SARS instructions for filing or correcting the return.
Can scammers fake auto-assessment messages?
Yes. Always compare messages with SARS official scam guidance and avoid links that ask for private information.
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