By: Garrin Lambley – The South African

SARS has launched a new WhatsApp channel for taxpayers to access information regarding their tax refunds quicker than before.

SARS has launched a new WhatsApp channel for taxpayers to access information regarding their tax refunds quicker than before. Image: SARS

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has launched a new WhatsApp channel for taxpayers to access information regarding their tax refunds and other tax-related queries quicker than before.

The channel is specifically for tax queries related to personal income tax, the service said, and is available on both the mobile and desktop versions of WhatsApp.

SAVE THE WHATSAPP NUMBER

To initiate an interaction, taxpayers should simply text a greeting i.e., “Hi or Hello”.

SARS will respond with a description of the service offerings and a service request menu.

To engage SARS via WhatsApp:

• From your mobile phone: save the SARS WhatsApp number, 0800 11 7277, in your contact list;
• From your desktop: Click here to launch the SARS WhatsApp desktop version and follow the prompts.

You can do the following via WhatsApp:

• Request your Tax Reference Number
• Request your Statement of Account
• Request your Return Refund Status
• Request your Audit Status
• Request your Notice of Assessment

To authenticate you successfully, you will need to WhatsApp us from your mobile device number registered on the SARS systems.

For more information, see the Mobile Services webpage and the Guide to SARS Mobile Tax Services.

AUTO-ASSESSMENTS

Meanwhile, as reported by The South African website, SARS has calmed fears over auto-assessment notifications

SARS has reminded those taxpayers who haven’t received an auto-assessment notification that the process will take two weeks.

Auto-assessments started on Monday, 1 July and will continue until the opening of the 2024 tax season on Monday, 15 July.

Those taxpayers who haven’t received a notification can check to see if they are due to receive one – or not – by checking their status on the SARS Online Query System (SOQS).