💵 SARS Tax Refund Estimator

Tax Refund Calculator
South Africa 2025

Estimate your SARS tax refund or amount owing. Include retirement contributions, medical aid credits, and other deductions for accurate results.

R17,235
Primary Rebate
R364/pm
Medical Credit
27.5%
Pension Deduction
Free
Calculator

Tax Refund Calculator

Estimate your SARS tax refund for 2024/2025 tax year

From your IRP5 certificate

65+ and 75+ get additional rebates

Deductions

R25/day deduction (max 210 days)

Maximize Your Tax Refund

Retirement Contributions

Contribute up to 27.5% of salary (max R350,000/year) to pension, provident, or RA funds. Get immediate tax savings at your marginal rate.

Medical Expenses

Claim medical aid credits + additional medical expenses above threshold. Keep all receipts for out-of-pocket medical costs.

Travel & Home Office

Log business kilometers if you have travel allowance. Claim home office deduction if you work from home regularly.

Filing Deadline

Non-provisional taxpayers: 21 October 2025 (eFiling), 23 October 2025 (auto assessment).
Provisional taxpayers: 20 January 2026 (eFiling).

How Tax Refunds Work

Your employer deducts PAYE (Pay As You Earn) from your salary monthly based on estimated tax. When you file your tax return, SARS calculates your actual tax. If you overpaid, you get a refund. If you underpaid, you owe SARS.

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File Your Return

Submit IRP5 and deductions on eFiling or SARS MobiApp

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SARS Calculates

Your actual tax is calculated with all deductions

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Refund or Owing

Difference between tax paid and tax owed

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Get Paid

Refunds usually paid within 72 hours if no audit

Common Deductions

Retirement Contributions

Up to 27.5% of salary (max R350,000/year) for pension, provident, and RA funds.

Medical Aid Credits

R364/month for main member, R364 for first dependent, R246 for each additional.

Travel Allowance

Claim R4.64/km for business travel if you have travel allowance and keep a logbook.

Home Office

R25/day worked from home (simplified method) or actual costs if dedicated office.

2025 Filing Deadlines

  • Auto Assessment: Accept by 21 Oct 2025
  • Non-Provisional: 21 Oct 2025 (eFiling)
  • Provisional: 20 Jan 2026 (eFiling)

Frequently Asked Questions

How long until I get my refund?

SARS aims to pay refunds within 72 hours of assessment if your return is not selected for verification. Audited returns can take 21 business days or longer.

What if I owe SARS money?

You must pay within the due date shown on your assessment. Late payment incurs interest and penalties. You can request a payment plan through eFiling if needed.

Do I need to file if I only have one employer?

If you earn under R500,000 from one employer with no other income or deductions, you may not need to file. Check if you can accept an auto-assessment instead.

What documents do I need?

IRP5 from employer(s), retirement fund certificate (IT3a), medical aid certificate, logbook for travel claims, bank statements for interest earned.

Important Notice

This calculator provides an estimate only. Your actual assessment from SARS may differ based on additional factors. Consult a tax practitioner for complex tax situations.