SARS refund

SARS refund can be requested by completing Part A of the REV1600 form by emailing it to the following email address: lbqueries@sars.gov.za.

The following documents must be sent together with the signed REV1600:

  • Proof of payment – eSTT receipt printed from the eFiling website;
  • A signed letter from you asking for a refund from SARS;
  • Certified copy of identity document; and
  • Original bank statement or ATM/internet generated statement or ABSA eStamped statement not more than three months old that confirms the account holder’s name, bank name, account number, account type and branch code.

How SARS refund works

In South Africa, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) processes tax refunds. Below is how it works:

Refund Processing Time: SARS is aware that some refunds may take longer than the 72 hours initially communicated to taxpayers. They are currently processing large volumes of refunds and expect to have processed these refunds by the following week.

Checking Refund Status: You can check the status of your tax refund by visiting the official SARS website or by contacting the SARS call center. You will need your unique taxpayer reference number (ITIN) to check the status of your refund.

Refund Amount and Payment Date: The refund amount (if any) and refund payment date can be seen on the ‘Income Tax Statement of Account’ (ITSA) on eFiling. The refund date displayed next to ‘Electronic refund’ and the amount (if a refund) in the ‘Transaction value’ column on the ITSA is the date the amount will be paid into your bank account.

Claiming a Refund: To claim a refund, the withholding agent must complete the Claim for Refund out of Revenue (REV16) form. If you need any help with filling in the form, you may call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277 or go to your nearest SARS branch.

Non-resident Individuals: Non-resident individuals may qualify for a tax refund in South Africa, where they submit an RST01 application to SARS. This is an application made by a tax non-resident seeking relief for tax on pensions and annuities that are made in terms of a Double Taxation Agreement. You will need to apply anew to use this relief every year.

Overview of Public Universities in South Africa

Here's an overview of some public universities in South Africa, including general admissions requirements and estimated application periods. Keep in mind, specific program requirements and dates can vary significantly, so it's important to check each university's official website for the most current information.

University of Pretoria

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with minimum scores in specific subjects related to the chosen program; for international students, equivalent qualifications.
  • Application Period: Usually opens in March and closes at the end of July for most programs.

University of Cape Town

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with pass levels required for degree study; subject-specific requirements depending on the program.
  • Application Period: Application opens in April and closes at the end of July.

Stellenbosch University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required marks; some programs have additional testing.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and typically closes at the end of June.

University of the Witwatersrand

  • Admissions Requirements: Matriculation certificate with university exemption; required scores vary by faculty.
  • Application Period: Begins in March and ends on the 30th of September.

University of Johannesburg

  • Admissions Requirements: Matric exemption with a minimum APS score; specific subject requirements based on the faculty.
  • Application Period: Opens in April and generally closes by the 30th of September.

University of the Free State

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific marks for the program applied to; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Typically opens in April and closes at the end of August.

University of Venda

  • Admissions Requirements: Completion of the National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for diploma or degree studies; specific APS scores needed.
  • Application Period: Usually from May to September.

University of Fort Hare

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; certain programs may have specific requirements.
  • Application Period: Opens around May and closes at the end of September.

University of the Western Cape

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific performance levels; additional requirements for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Generally from May to September.

North-West University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with university exemption; program-specific requirements may apply.
  • Application Period: Opens in March and usually closes by the end of August.

Rhodes University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate or equivalent; minimum academic performance in certain subjects.
  • Application Period: Applications open in April and close at the end of September.

Nelson Mandela University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; portfolio or additional tests for some faculties.
  • Application Period: Opens in April, with a deadline at the end of August for most programs.

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores; additional requirements for certain courses.
  • Application Period: Opens in May and typically closes by the end of September.

University of Limpopo

  • Admissions Requirements: Senior Certificate with endorsement for diploma or degree courses; specific APS scores for different programs.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

University of Zululand

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with an endorsement for bachelor’s degree studies; specific score requirements for various programs.
  • Application Period: Usually between April and November.

Central University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with specific scores for the chosen field of study; additional criteria for certain programs.
  • Application Period: Application period generally starts in May and ends in October.

Vaal University of Technology

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with a pass that qualifies for admission to bachelor’s degree, diploma, or higher certificate programs.
  • Application Period: Typically from May to September.

Walter Sisulu University

  • Admissions Requirements: National Senior Certificate with required scores for chosen programs; additional criteria for certain faculties.
  • Application Period: From April to September.

This list provides a starting point for understanding the admissions landscape across South Africa's diverse higher education institutions. Given the variability in programs and requirements, it's crucial to consult each university's website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

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