SARS taking over two months to verify bank account number

I am lodging a formal complaint regarding SARS’s failure to verify my banking details for a confirmed tax refund, despite this being outstanding for almost two months.

I first attempted to verify my banking details with a Tymebank account on 29 June 2026, which went unresolved. I then switched to a Standard Bank account on 26 July 2026 and submitted all required supporting documents the same day. As of 29 August 2026 — two months later — verification remains incomplete, with no clear explanation for the delay.

During this period, I have been treated horribly by SARS call centre agents, including having calls ended abruptly while I was still explaining my case.

After speaking to at least ten agents, including a supervisor, the first person who actually listened and made me feel heard was an agent named Jabulani — though he sadly gave me wrong information, which led to another case being cancelled. The second agent who treated me decently was named Blessing, who told me my case had never been escalated in over two months. Can you believe that?

On one call, I even spoke to a supervisor who assured me she was personally escalating my case and would call me back that same day with feedback. That call never came, and it’s been more than a month.

I have repeatedly asked SARS to pull up and listen to the calls where I was given wrong information and treated badly. I’ve completed the surveys they send after every call. Not once has anyone confirmed that a call was actually reviewed or come back to me with feedback.

Over two months of headache and heartache — for ten digits.

I have also filed a complaint with their internal systems, but I’m not holding my breath.

SARS, If this is not resolved urgently, I’m going to escalate it to the Tax Ombudsman.