What to prepare when asking about a delayed SARS refund
Before paying for professional follow-up on a delayed refund, gather the evidence that explains where the refund is. This guide lists what to prepare - the assessment, the relevant statement, correspondence, your submission record and a follow-up timeline - so the enquiry can identify the stage and the cause. It is an initial-assessment checklist - our team advises what to gather and how to share it.
Published by Tax Relief SAEditorial policy
Describe first - the team advises what to prepare
A refund enquiry begins with a description of the delay, not a batch of documents. The checklist below is what to gather so the enquiry can identify the stage - it is an initial-assessment checklist - our team advises what to gather and how to share it.
A follow-up evidence checklist
Each item answers a different question about where the refund is and why it may be delayed. Gather them in advance so the enquiry can move straight to the cause.
The assessment
What: The assessment showing the refund as a credit, including the tax type and period.
Why it helps: Confirms a refund was raised and shows the amount and period it relates to - the starting point for any follow-up.
The relevant statement
What: A current statement of account for the same tax type.
Why it helps: Shows whether the credit has been offset against debt, paid, or is still showing as owing to you. The statement explains the movement the assessment alone cannot.
Correspondence
What: Any verification request, audit notice, or SARS letter about the return or refund.
Why it helps: Identifies whether a specific stage - verification, audit, or a document request - is holding the refund. The notice often names the documents SARS is waiting for.
Requested-document record
What: A record of what you have already submitted and when, including reference numbers.
Why it helps: Prevents resending the same documents and shows SARS what has been provided. A clear submission record shortens follow-up.
A follow-up timeline
What: Dates of filing, submission, and each contact or query about the refund.
Why it helps: Establishes how long the delay has lasted and whether a stage has stalled. A timeline helps distinguish a normal stage from a stuck one.
Do not resend - record instead
Resending the same documents rarely moves a refund forward and can restart a queue. The better approach is to record what you have already submitted, when, and under which reference, so follow-up points to the existing submission rather than creating a new one.
Secure handoff only: documents are shared through a verified, agreed channel. The The how it works page explains the document stage.
Keep a simple follow-up log
Date each contact: note when you filed, when you submitted documents, and when you last queried the refund. A timeline distinguishes a normal stage from a stuck one.
Keep reference numbers: record any case, reference or correspondence number SARS provides. It helps follow-up locate the existing submission rather than starting again.
Verify on the official source: confirm the current refund status and any requested documents on the official SARS website before acting on this checklist.
What this guide provides
- A follow-up evidence checklist - assessment, statement, correspondence, submission record, timeline.
- Pointers to refund assistance, verification and delayed-refund routes.
What is not promised
- A request to act before the refund stage is confirmed.
- A guaranteed refund date or amount. The checklist identifies the stage, not the outcome.
Questions about delayed-refund documents
Which notices help identify the delay?
The assessment showing the credit, the current statement of account, and any verification or audit notice. The notice often names the documents SARS is waiting for, which tells you which stage is holding the refund. The refund process guide maps the stages.
Should I resend documents repeatedly?
No. Resending the same documents rarely moves a refund forward and can restart a queue. Record what you have already submitted, when, and under which reference, so follow-up points to the existing submission. The verification assistance route explains what helped review involves.
How should I record follow-ups?
Keep a simple log: dates of filing, submission and each query, plus any reference numbers SARS provides. The timeline distinguishes a normal stage from a stuck one and helps the refund assistance review locate the cause without resending everything.
Use this as a checklist
Optionally mark a record category as prepared as you gather it. Preparation aid only; selecting an item does not send anything to SARS or Tax Relief SA. Selections are held in memory for this page only and reset when you reload — they are not saved or shared.
Delayed refund evidence
Each item answers a different question about where the refund is and why it may be delayed.
A checked box means you marked the item yourself — it does not verify the record, confirm a refund, or accept a service. Selections are held in memory for this page only and reset on reload.
Source
The verification/audit distinction and refund follow-up are described on SARS's published page, checked on 2026-09-19. This guide lists follow-up evidence in general terms; it does not request document uploads and is not a determination of your refund's status or date.
- Being audited or selected for verification
South African Revenue Service — Verification vs audit distinction and the 21-business-day verification attempt after requested documents · checked 2026-09-19
Primary sources are listed so you can verify the underlying material. Listing a source is a check of the reference, not professional advice on your matter.
Prepare before you pay for follow-up
A confidential assessment identifies which stage your refund is at, what evidence explains the delay, and whether follow-up is worthwhile. No outcome is promised. No our team will advise what is needed to begin.