What to Do When SARS Sends a Verification Letter

The short answer: a SARS verification letter is a request for proof, not an accusation. Read it carefully, gather exactly the documents it asks for, upload them on eFiling before the due date on the letter, and keep a copy of everything you send. Most verifications close quietly once SARS can match your claims to your paperwork. That said, the letter tends to land at a bad moment, and the wording can feel heavier than it is. Here is how I would work through one, step by step. ## What is the difference between a verification and an audit? A verification is the lighter of the two. SARS has picked out one or more items on your return, often a deduction such as medical expenses, retirement annuity contributions, travel or home office costs, and wants supporting documents before it finalises your assessment. It is common, and being selected does not mean SARS thinks you did anything wrong. Some returns are picked at random. An audit is broader. SARS looks more deeply at your affairs, may cover more than one tax year, and will usually tell you the scope of what it is looking at. If your letter uses the word "audit" rather than "verification", that is the point to think seriously about getting a registered tax practitioner involved. ## What does the letter actually ask for? Open the letter on eFiling (it usually sits under your correspondence for that tax year) and read three things before you do anything else: - **The items being checked.** The letter lists the specific fields or deductions. You only need to support those, not your whole return. - **The documents requested.** SARS normally spells out what counts as proof, for example a certificate from your medical scheme or retirement fund, a logbook, or invoices. - **The due date.** Write it down somewhere you will see it. Missing it is the most common way a simple verification turns into a reduced claim. If something in the letter is unclear, you can phone SARS or book an appointment at a branch and ask. It is better to ask than to guess and upload the wrong thing. ## How do I gather the right documents? Start with the certificates third parties issue, because they are the easiest to get and the most persuasive: - **Medical aid:** your scheme's annual tax certificate, plus receipts for out-of-pocket medical costs you claimed. - **Retirement annuity:** the contribution certificate from your fund. - **Travel allowance:** a logbook showing business trips, dates, destinations and kilometres, plus vehicle cost records if you claimed actual costs. - **Home office or business expenses:** invoices, receipts and anything showing why the expense was for earning income. - **Donations:** the section 18A receipts from the organisations you gave to. Bank statements on their own are usually not enough. They show money left your account, but not what it bought or why it qualifies. Pair them with the actual invoice or receipt. If you are missing a certificate, ask the issuer for a copy straight away. Medical schemes and retirement funds can usually resend them quickly, often through their own app or website. ## How do I upload documents on eFiling? On the return for that tax year, look for the option to upload supporting documents. Name each file clearly (for example "Medical aid certificate 2026.pdf") so the person reviewing it can see at a glance what it is. Keep the files readable: a clear scan or a sharp phone photo is fine, a blurry one is not. A few habits that help: - Upload only what was asked for, but upload all of it. - Add a short covering note if a document needs explaining, such as a logbook kept in a spreadsheet. - Save a copy of the confirmation or the case number after submitting. ## What happens after I submit? SARS reviews the documents and then issues an assessment. If everything matches, the assessment usually reflects your return as filed and any refund is processed. If SARS disallows part of a claim, the assessment will show the adjusted amount and the reasons should be available on eFiling. If you disagree with the outcome, you can ask SARS for the reasons behind the assessment and then lodge an objection. Generally you have 80 business days from the date of the assessment to object, or from when SARS sends its reasons if you asked for them first. Keep your objection factual and attach the documents that support your position. ## What if I cannot meet the deadline? Contact SARS before the date passes, not after. Explain what is holding you up, for example that you are waiting for a certificate, and ask whether more time is possible. Doing nothing is the worst option, because SARS may finalise the assessment based only on what it has, which can mean claims are disallowed. ## When should I get professional help? Bring in a registered tax practitioner if the letter is an audit rather than a verification, if it covers several tax years, if large amounts are involved, or if you simply do not feel confident about the paperwork. This article is general information, not tax advice for your situation, and a practitioner can look at your actual figures. ## How do I make the next one easier? The simplest fix is to keep your documents together during the year rather than hunting for them after a letter arrives. One folder per tax year, with certificates, receipts and logbooks saved as they come in, turns a stressful week into an afternoon. For a fuller checklist of what to keep, see [What Documents Do I Need for My SARS Income Tax Return?](/blog/what-documents-do-i-need-for-my-sars-income-tax-return). If you are a freelancer, [What South African Freelancers Can Actually Claim from SARS](/blog/what-south-african-freelancers-can-claim-from-sars) covers which expenses tend to get queried. If you would like one place to track SARS deadlines, get plain-English answers and store your tax documents by year, [Taxza](/apps/taxza) was built for exactly that. ## FAQ ### Does a verification letter mean I am in trouble? No. It means SARS wants proof for specific items before finalising your assessment. Many returns are selected, some at random. ### Do I need to send my whole tax file? No. Send the documents for the items listed in the letter. Sending everything can slow the review down. ### Will my refund be delayed? Usually yes, until the verification is finished. Submitting complete, clearly named documents quickly is the best way to shorten the wait. ### Can I still object if SARS reduces my claim? Yes. You can request reasons and lodge an objection, generally within 80 business days. A tax practitioner can help if the amounts are significant.