JOHANNESBURG - SARS is encouraging taxpayers to check their SMS or email notifications and log in via eFiling, the SARS MobiApp or WhatsApp to view their assessments.
If any refunds are due, the money will be reflected in bank accounts within three business days
Keitumetse Sasana of the South African Institute of Taxation said members of the public can look out for the messages.
“So between 31 April and 31 May, third-party providers had to provide data to SARS, your banks, your medical aid, your retirement annuity fund, your pension scheme, attorneys, trustees etc and even crypto service providers had to provide information to SARS.
“SARS then pre-populated six million auto assessments in this regard with that information received from those third-party providers.
“What then happens is you get an sms from SARS, or you can log into eFiling or use the mobi app using the WhatsApp number you will receive in that sms or even the USSD stream where you can then view your auto assessment.
“If you're happy with your auto-assessment and the information is populated correctly, you simply don't have to do anything. SARS will, in a couple of days, accept that on your behalf and if you're due a refund, that will be paid within 72 hours,” Sasana said.