How to Update Your Banking Details with SARS

Last Updated: September 2026 | Reading Time: 7 minutes

SARS will not pay your refund until your bank account passes verification – and since the anti-fraud crackdown you can only change banking details through specific, verified channels. Here is the safe route.

Bank card and South African rand notes for SARS banking details update

Quick Answer

Update your SARS banking details on eFiling under Home > User > Banking Details, or at a SARS branch with your ID, proof of bank account (stamped statement under 3 months old) and – if it is a new account – proof of residence. SARS verifies the account with your bank before paying any refund, which can take a few days.

Why SARS Verifies Bank Accounts

Refund fraud forced SARS to verify every bank account against bank records before paying out. If your status shows ‘banking details pending verification’ or your refund is stuck, the account failed or is awaiting verification – usually because of a name mismatch, a closed account, or a joint account SARS cannot confirm.

Method 1: Update on eFiling

Log in at SARS eFiling.
Go to Home > User > Banking Details > Maintain Bank Details.
Enter the account in your own name exactly as the bank holds it (initials and surname must match your ID).
Submit and wait for the verification status to change – normally within 2 to 5 business days.

Note: eFiling sometimes refuses online changes for higher-risk profiles and directs you to a branch instead.

Method 2: At a SARS Branch

Book an appointment on the SARS website or via the SARS USSD channel, and take:

Original ID or passport
Original bank statement or bank confirmation letter, stamped, not older than 3 months
Proof of residence (for first-time or flagged changes)
Your tax reference number – lost it? See how to get your tax number

Refund Stuck? Checklist

Account holder name must match SARS records exactly – no business accounts for personal refunds, no third-party accounts.
The account must be open and active.
Check eFiling for a ‘verify banking details’ outstanding action.
If verification fails repeatedly, visit a branch – the online loop will not clear it.

Once verified, refunds of R100 or more pay within about 72 hours – more in our refund optimisation guide and the refund timeline explainer.

Important: this is not a free service. TaxSeason2026.online is the website of Admin Boss – Tax division, a private South African tax practice that assists individuals with the preparation and filing of their SARS tax returns for a professional fee. We are not SARS and we are not affiliated with SARS or any government body. SARS eFiling itself is a free government channel – our fee covers expert review, deduction optimisation and done-for-you filing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can SARS pay my refund into someone else’s account?

No. SARS only pays refunds into a bank account in the taxpayer’s own name. This is an anti-fraud rule with no exceptions – not even a spouse’s account.

How long does SARS bank verification take?

Usually 2 to 5 business days after you capture the details, but flagged profiles can take longer or require a branch visit. Your refund is only released once the status shows verified.

Why did SARS reject my banking details?

The common reasons: the account name does not match your ID exactly, the account is closed or dormant, it is a credit card or bond account, or the bank could not confirm the account. Capture the details exactly as on your bank statement.

Need Help?

Admin Boss – Tax division prepares and files personal income tax returns for clients across South Africa – 100% remote, no office visit needed. Contact us for a quote or call 074 918 7130 (Mon-Fri 08:00-16:00).

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