SARS refund estimator
Medical aid, retirement and PAYE in, estimated refund out. Know roughly what to expect before you file your return for the 2026/27 tax year. No signup, nothing leaves this page.
How this works
A refund is not a bonus from SARS; it is your own money back. Your employer deducts PAYE every month based on your salary alone. When you file, SARS recalculates your tax for the whole year with everything included: your retirement deductions, medical scheme credits and rebates. If more was deducted than the recalculated amount, the difference comes back to you.
This estimator applies the official 2026/27 tables: tax brackets from 18% to 45%, the primary rebate of R17 820 (more if you are 65 or 75), medical scheme credits of R376 a month for you, R376 for your first dependant and R254 for each one after that, and the retirement deduction of up to 27.5% of income capped at R430 000.
It does not cover the additional medical expenses credit for out of pocket costs, travel allowances, capital gains or provisional tax, so treat the result as a guide. If those apply to you, your actual assessment can differ.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if SARS owes me money?
If your recalculated annual tax, after deductions, credits and rebates, is less than the PAYE your employer took off, SARS owes you the difference. This usually happens when you have a retirement annuity or medical aid your employer did not factor into payroll.
When will I get my SARS refund in 2026?
If you are auto assessed or file early in the season and nothing is flagged, refunds are typically paid within 72 hours of assessment. Verification or audit can stretch that to 21 business days or longer.
Why do I owe SARS money instead of getting a refund?
The usual causes are two employers or income sources each deducting PAYE as if they were your only income, a travel allowance taxed at 80%, or bonus months pushing you into a higher bracket than your monthly PAYE assumed.
Does medical aid give you money back from SARS?
Yes, through the medical scheme fees tax credit: R376 a month for the main member, R376 for the first dependant and R254 for each additional dependant in 2026/27. A family of four on medical aid all year gets R15 120 off their tax bill.
Do I need to file a tax return if I earn under R500 000?
Not always. If you earn under R500 000 from one employer, with no allowances or extra deductions to claim, you may not have to file. File anyway if you have medical aid or retirement contributions that were not in your payroll; that is often where refunds hide.
What documents do I need to claim a refund?
Your IRP5 from your employer, medical scheme tax certificate, retirement annuity contribution certificate, and logbook if you claim travel. SARS pre-loads most of these, but check they are complete before you accept an auto assessment.
Need your tax affairs in order for tenders?
The Tender ready pack covers CSD registration and tax compliance PIN guidance. Fixed price, R890.
View the packThis estimate uses the SARS 2026/27 tax tables, rebates and medical credits (checked August 2026) and excludes the additional medical expenses credit, travel claims, capital gains and provisional tax. Your final assessment comes from SARS. Free tools are estimates. Packs are templates and guidance, not legal or financial advice.