SARS - Looking for excuses not to pay out, never the same story....
SARS is absolutely slow and seeking excuses not to pay out refunds.  

On the 28th of June 2021 I submitted my 2021 Tax return. And on my Original Tax Assessment it showed that I was NOT selected for audit or verification. So on morning the 29th of June I requested a Statement of Account to see if the Refund has been Allocated, as like most people during this pandemic, I need my Refund ASAP.   To my delight, on the Statement of Account I saw the refund was allocated to be paid out on the next day. I was glad to see this.    HOWEVER ! On the same day I requested the Statement of Account, late that afternoon I received a letter from SARS, that all of the Sudden I am now selected for Verification, and I am required to upload my supporting documentation, which I did that same day. My Documents was uploaded an hour after I received the letter, on the 29th of June. I also requested a new Statement of account, and saw that my refund was CANCELD. On the 21 July 2021 (3weeks later) I called SARS as I have NOT received ANY new correspondence since the upload of supporting documentation. The lady told me, that audits/verifications take 21 working days, so she can't help yet, the audit is still busy, and if I have not received any new correspondence on the 29th Of July, (which is after the 21 working days) I must call SARS again, and ask them to escalate the case.   SO today is the 29th of July, and I called to do exactly that, BUT the lady I spoke with today had a slight different story !! SHE said that my "Refund" it self is under audit, and it take 60days. I must just "wait" she cant help me or escalate the case.  SARS is so incompetent, and ALWAYS looking for excuses not to pay out. And why do we as taxpayers always have to call to follow up on what going on ? I have not received ANY correspondence from SARS. Today is a month since I uploaded my Documents. My documents are in order, and can't possibly take so long ?????  And why decide to audit me after I initially was not selected for audit ? SUCH BULL****.  SARS IS SLOW AND ALWAYS FULL OF EXCUSES. Not the first time I see this either. I work for a tax Practitioner for 11 years now, and SARS is just getting worse and worse over the years.......