Based on recent customer reviews, SARS delivers a sharply divided experience. Individual branch and contact centre staff earn warm, named praise, lifting Service Delivery & Staff Conduct (2.6) above every other theme. However, customers consistently report withheld refunds, endless banking detail verification and a 21 working day clock that keeps restarting, pulling Payments, Benefits & Financial Administration (0.7), Communication & Responsiveness (0.7) and Processing Times & Turnaround (0.7) to the bottom.
Top Strengths:
- •Service Delivery & Staff Conduct: A recurring theme is individual excellence. Consultants such as Gloria Tema, Carla Buys, Rebecca George and Phulani are named and praised for patience and professionalism, and Umhlanga and Alberton walk-in centres are described as surprisingly efficient.
TrustIndex
2.4
Â
NPS Score
-81
Recommended: Unlikely
Nov '25 - Oct '26
Frequently Asked Questions About SARS
What do customers say about SARS?
Based on recent customer reviews, SARS delivers a sharply divided experience. Individual branch and contact centre staff earn warm, named praise, lifting Service Delivery & Staff Conduct (2.6) above every other theme. However, customers consistently report withheld refunds, endless banking detail verification and a 21 working day clock that keeps restarting, pulling Payments, Benefits & Financial Administration (0.7), Communication & Responsiveness (0.7) and Processing Times & Turnaround (0.7) to the bottom.
What is SARS's biggest strength?
SARS's biggest strength, according to Hellopeter's AI analysis, is Service Delivery & Staff Conduct. A recurring theme is individual excellence. Consultants such as Gloria Tema, Carla Buys, Rebecca George and Phulani are named and praised for patience and professionalism, and Umhlanga and Alberton walk-in centres are described as surprisingly efficient.
What are the most common complaints about SARS?
The most common complaint about SARS, based on Hellopeter's AI analysis of recent customer reviews, is Payments, Benefits & Financial Administration. Customers consistently report refunds withheld far beyond stated periods, debit orders and garnishees continuing after debts are settled or arrangements honoured, and two pot or provident payouts absorbed by disputed historic debt without any calculation breakdown.
Is SARS trustworthy?
SARS has a TrustIndex of 2.4 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 255 reviews in the last 12 months. Hellopeter has tracked SARS across 3,911 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (255)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Jul 2021
I've been assessed on 07/09/2026 by a consultant from Sars but my banking details needed to be ve...
I've been assessed on 07/09/2026 by a consultant from Sars but my banking details needed to be verified.Its now more than 21 days and I haven't hear from SARS which is extremly disapointing and frustrating.BAD service from SARS which should review their systems.
1 reviews | Active since Jul 2021
I've been assessed on 07/09/2026 by a consultant from Sars but my banking details needed to be ve...
I've been assessed on 07/09/2026 by a consultant from Sars but my banking details needed to be verified.Its now more than 21 days and I haven't hear from SARS which is extremly disapointing and frustrating.BAD service from SARS which should review their systems.
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2026
Productive call
Thank you so much to Hopotso for his clear explanation and helping me with a solution regarding my eFiling issue! You're awesome!
1 reviews | Active since Jun 2026
Productive call
Thank you so much to Hopotso for his clear explanation and helping me with a solution regarding my eFiling issue! You're awesome!
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2024
Sars is trying not to pay out your refund
I subumetted all documentarmtion at the branch and was told i dont hsve to do the photo withcase number for bsnk verification and more then a month later i was rejected and had to sumbitt al over agsain and noe i need to wait 21 working day again for my return because thecare incompatant. This is bad bad bad service. I will recommend the we all work together in stopping this 21 days verification nonsens
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2024
Sars is trying not to pay out your refund
I subumetted all documentarmtion at the branch and was told i dont hsve to do the photo withcase number for bsnk verification and more then a month later i was rejected and had to sumbitt al over agsain and noe i need to wait 21 working day again for my return because thecare incompatant. This is bad bad bad service. I will recommend the we all work together in stopping this 21 days verification nonsens
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2023
Best service
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent service I received from Phindile Lukhele at SARS JHB NEWTON. She was professional, friendly, patient, and very helpful throughout the process. She explained everything clearly and made sure I understood what needed to be done. Her dedication and excellent customer service made my experience smooth and pleasant. Thank you, Phindile, for your outstanding service. You are truly an asset to SARS! 🌟
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2023
Best service
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent service I received from Phindile Lukhele at SARS JHB NEWTON. She was professional, friendly, patient, and very helpful throughout the process. She explained everything clearly and made sure I understood what needed to be done. Her dedication and excellent customer service made my experience smooth and pleasant. Thank you, Phindile, for your outstanding service. You are truly an asset to SARS! 🌟
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2020
Unsatisfied tax payer
Sizwehosmed provided wrong information to Sars for the 2026 tax year. Sars made auto assessments based on the wrong information provided by Sizwehosmed. Later Sizwehosmed corrected their mistake and sent the correct info to Sars and myself. I corrected my efiling and submitted supporting documents to Sars on the 27 July 2026. I had to wait for 21 business days for the tax submission to be audited. Today is 1st October 2026 and no correspondence is coming from Sars. To me its a negative, poor customer service attitude. According to calculations, I qualify for a refund but they dragging the process too long. There is no correspondence as to why the delay. If it was me who delayed them, I would have been in jail by now.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2020
Unsatisfied tax payer
Sizwehosmed provided wrong information to Sars for the 2026 tax year. Sars made auto assessments based on the wrong information provided by Sizwehosmed. Later Sizwehosmed corrected their mistake and sent the correct info to Sars and myself. I corrected my efiling and submitted supporting documents to Sars on the 27 July 2026. I had to wait for 21 business days for the tax submission to be audited. Today is 1st October 2026 and no correspondence is coming from Sars. To me its a negative, poor customer service attitude. According to calculations, I qualify for a refund but they dragging the process too long. There is no correspondence as to why the delay. If it was me who delayed them, I would have been in jail by now.
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2013
SARS withholding refunds
I completed my Tax submission and then had to sort out one issue this was done in beginning July its now October and they have done nothing to pay the refund as soon as money needs to payout there is a delay and no rush.
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2013
SARS withholding refunds
I completed my Tax submission and then had to sort out one issue this was done in beginning July its now October and they have done nothing to pay the refund as soon as money needs to payout there is a delay and no rush.
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2021
The consultant I spoke to was very efficient and patient
The consultant I spoke to was very efficient and patient. She kindly assisted me with my query and guided me patiently and efficiently through the different steps required to reach a successful conclusion.
1 reviews | Active since Feb 2021
The consultant I spoke to was very efficient and patient
The consultant I spoke to was very efficient and patient. She kindly assisted me with my query and guided me patiently and efficiently through the different steps required to reach a successful conclusion.