You can determine whether the South African Revenue Service (SARS) will refund you by following these steps:
- Submit your Tax Return: Ensure that you have submitted your tax return for the relevant tax year accurately and on time. This is a crucial step because SARS initiates the refund process after reviewing your return and confirming that you are owed a refund.
- Check Your Assessment: After submitting your tax return, SARS will assess it to determine if you are eligible for a refund. You will receive an assessment from SARS, either through your eFiling account or via other communication methods.
- Review the Assessment: When you receive your assessment, review it carefully. The assessment will clearly indicate whether you have a refund due to you or if you have a tax liability. If you have a refund due, the assessment will specify the amount.
- Accept the Assessment: If the assessment indicates that you have a refund, you will need to accept the assessment on the eFiling platform. This is essentially your agreement with the assessment results and the refund amount.
- Provide Bank Details: During the eFiling process, you would have provided SARS with your bank account details for the refund to be deposited into your account. Ensure that these details are accurate to avoid any delays in receiving your refund.
- Wait for the Refund: Once you have accepted the assessment, SARS will process your refund. The processing time can vary, and SARS will communicate with you about the estimated time frame for the refund to be deposited into your bank account.
- Check Communication: Keep an eye on your eFiling account and any other communication channels you have with SARS. They may send notifications or updates about the status of your refund.
It’s important to note that SARS follows a systematic process to determine refunds, and they will notify you of any issues or discrepancies if they arise during their assessment. If you have concerns or questions about your refund status, it’s best to contact SARS directly or consult their official website for guidance.