Dear Sir/Madam,
Please be advised that SARS has recently tightened its verification requirements for banking details linked to refund processing. This measure has been introduced to strengthen taxpayer protection and prevent fraudulent refund payments.
As a result, where a refund is due, SARS may require extensive supporting documentation before banking details can be verified and the refund released. The documentation requested will depend on the type of taxpayer, but may include the following:
- A stamped bank letter or bank statement not older than three months confirming the account holder’s legal name, account number, account type and branch code
- Proof of identity
- Proof of residential or business address not older than three months
- Company registration and authority documents
- Trust documents or letters of authority
- Affidavits, powers of attorney, or other supporting documents where applicable
- For electronic submissions, a clear image of the requestor holding their identification document together with a handwritten note reflecting the SARS case number and date of submission
Please note that this is not a simple once-off submission. In many cases, the matter requires careful document preparation, repeated verification, follow-up correspondence, and engagement with SARS until the refund is finalised. The process is therefore time-consuming and administrative in nature.
Accordingly, should you require our assistance with compiling, submitting, and following up on the verification request, an additional fee will be charged for this work. This fee covers the time required to prepare the documentation, liaise with SARS, address queries, and manage the matter through to completion.
If a refund becomes due, we will notify you of the specific documentation required at that time. We strongly recommend that you keep the relevant documents readily available so that any future refund verification process may be handled without unnecessary delay.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Yours faithfully,
Denise Gengan-Meeran
Chartered Accountant CA (SA)
Tax Manager
VHA Accounting Solutions Inc
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