What does a SARS completion/verification letter mean?
What is a verification:
Being selected for an audit and verification are two different processes. With a verification, SARS is doing a face-value verification of the information declared by the taxpayer on the declaration or in a return. This involves the comparison of the information on the return against the financial and accounting records and/or other supporting documents. All this is to ensure that the declaration/return is a fair and accurate representation of the taxpayer’s tax position.
Remember, in terms of the Tax Administration Act, the onus is on the taxpayer to provide supporting documentation in order to prove that the deductions and information on their declaration are reasonable, fair and accurate.
Who can be selected for verification:
Any taxpayers can be selected for a verification process for the purpose of proper administration of tax. The selection can also be done on a risk basis.
What should I do if I am selected for verification:
SARS will notify the taxpayer if they have selected them for verification. The letter issued will state what the taxpayer must do or provide to SARS. The letter will also notify the taxpayer to check their tax return and to make any corrections if there are any discrepancies on their tax return. The taxpayer will be given 21 business days from the date of the letter in which to provide the supporting documents and schedules.
The supporting documents or schedules can be submitted via eFiling or manually at the SARS branch near you.
During the verification, you can expect to get another letter requesting additional information if the relevant material initially supplied was not sufficient to finalize the verification. If you are due for a refund, you may not get this until the verification process is finalised.
What happens if you do not respond to the verification:
If you choose not to respond, SARS may:
- Issue a second letter reminding you to submit relevant information
- Issue a final request for relevant information
- If you still do not respond, a SARS official will contact you telephonically and request that you submit the necessary relevant material within 5 business days.
- Should you still not respond, SARS may raise an assessment based on information readily available or obtain from a third party.
NB: It is always best to respond to all queries as quickly as possible. There is a possibility of penalties and interests
SARS verification finalised with changes meaning
A SARS “Verification Finalised with Changes” letter typically means that SARS has completed the verification process of your tax return and found discrepancies or issues that required adjustments. Here’s a breakdown of what this could mean for you:
- Verification Process Complete: SARS has reviewed the information and documentation you submitted to verify the accuracy of your tax return.
- Changes Made: During this review, SARS identified errors, omissions, or discrepancies in your return. They have made adjustments to correct these issues.
- Impact on Tax Liability: The changes may affect your tax liability or reduce your refund. This means you might owe additional taxes, be entitled to a refund, or have a change in the amount of the refund you were expecting.
- Next Steps: The letter should outline the specific changes made and any actions you need to take. This might include paying additional taxes, receiving a refund, or providing further documentation.
- Appeal Process: If you disagree with the changes, the letter will usually provide information on how to dispute the findings or request a review.
What to expect when verification is completed:
You will receive a completion letter notifying you of the verification outcome. If all goes well, this letter will normally notify you that no adjustments have been made. In that case, SARS will not be making adjustments to their assessments. If you are due for a refund, it should be paid out in 7 working days (provided you have no tax debt due or outstanding tax returns from prior years). If you were the one owing SARS, the amount due will remain payable.
You can contact us for:
- Ta submission
- Help with Objection of assessment
- Help with the interpretation of your assessment
- Help with the interpretation of your statement of account
- Tax return submission (corrections or new submissions)
Has SARS selected you for a verification process? Stay informed and respond promptly!
A SARS verification is a review of your tax return against your supporting documents to ensure everything is accurate. If selected, you’ll need to submit all relevant material within 21 business days to avoid penalties. Whether it’s understanding your verification outcome or handling adjustments made by SARS, don’t get caught off guard.
Need assistance with objections, interpretations, or tax return corrections? Contact us today for expert guidance.
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Can you please send me a letter for my tax number. My ID no 8807150919082
Email is pchidzumba@gmail.com
I’m trying to log in but it doesn’t go through.
Thank you 🙏
Hi Phumudzo,
You can only get this letter on your eFiling.
If you have forgotten your eFiling details try resetting your password or calling sars.
Alternatively, find your tax number here: https://tools.sars.gov.za/SOQS/?queryType=11
Regards
Tax number Verification letter
Hi Wandie,
We would love to help. Please provide more details to your request.
Do you want to check what your tax number is?
I forget my password so I need the letter on my tax number
You will need to reset your password first by clicking “forgot my password”
https://secure.sarsefiling.co.za/app/forgotdetails/password
Once you reset your password, you should be able to log in and print the letter.
Otherwise call SARS as we are not able to help with passwords resets, we can help you with your tax submission and consultation
Sars number with PDF
Hi Duncan,
How may we help?
Hi.. Please help on how I can get my tax confirmation letter on e-filing? Please show me the instructions because am struggling to get to the right option
Hi.. what does this..”INCOME TAX VERIFICATION FINALISE – FINALISED WITHOUT CHANGES 394341616 2021/11/10 “Please note that your verification has been finalised and correspondence has been issued.” Mean?
Hi.. what does this..”INCOME TAX VERIFICATION FINALISE – FINALISED WITHOUT CHANGES 2021/11/10 “Please note that your verification has been finalised and correspondence has been issued.” Mean?
Good day,
This means that an assessment has been issued and no changes have been made to your tax return. In other words, they have accepted what you submitted and the evidence you provided.
Please remember to check the letter they issued, the assessment and the statement of account to see if you have a refund or if you need to pay anything to SARS.
does this help?
What is means (fanalised with change)
That means SARS has made some adjustments to your original assessment.
You have an option to accept the changes or object to the changes.
How can we help you?
Good day i’ve been calling SARS, ive been emailing SARS… But no one gets back to me, i called again and spoke to Ntombi, she said i have to email you again.. so let’s try again…
I did a return on 12 April 2022 i received a ITA34 and it says SARS owes me money, and payment date is 1May 2022 and Grace period 31 May 2022.. but i didn’t receive any payment yet(it wasn’t sent for Audit so i don’t understand why its not been paid out to me yet) please help me..
Good day,
We have sent you an email. Please check your inbox for further action
On my T34 on the far right on top is a -ve red amount,
There is also amount patable to Sars .
Is it possible to have both on the same T34
Hi Vuyo,
If the number is minus, that means SARS owes you. If it is a positive number, you owe them
Please send a screenshot (without personal details) to evatax@evacfo.com and we will interpret it for you
So it will take how long for sars to pay refund after issuing finalization without change
Hi Blessing,
It will take up to ten business days.
If nothing comes after this call them and ask why. They could be a stopper on your account that would need to be lifted
Hello
SARS completed a auto- assessment for me , then i resubmitted my return . i have ”INCOME TAX VERIFICATION FINALISE – FINALISED WITHOUT CHANGES 2022/08/30 “Please note that your verification has been finalised and correspondence has been issued. What does this mean ? Will i be getting the balanced owed to me ?
Hi Bryson,
That means SASRS was happy with the additional documents you sent them.
If there is a refund, it should be in the process of being processed. Unless there is a refund stopper on your account, this should be processed within 10 business days from you receiving that letter.
Regards
Hi this is Charl Barry Sars said I am going for an audit I must wait 21 days and then a lady phoned and said another 21 days everything will be finalized the 19 December 2022 it the 20th today and I am still waiting can someone just help me they received all my documents but no one is comeing back to me
Good day,
I am not sure I follow
are you saying that the 21 days they gave you elapsed and they asked for another 21 days, which have also now gone by?
You have two options:
1. Calls SARS and ask them to explain and/or escalate the matter
2.Raise the matter with the SARS complains office
Hi I received a letter after submitting supporting documents that income tax verification complete-finalised with changes.
There is a negative balance on SOA.
What does this mean
This means that SARS did not agree with certain aspects of your tax return. When you view the additional assessment, you may notice the reason for the adjustment(change.) If not available, you may opt to ask for reasons.
If you do not agree, you can object within 80 days of the assessment.
The negative balance on the SOA implies a refund due to you.
Good day, last year i didnt get a refund becouse i filled wrong on Efiling, i was supposed to click yes on the question of irp5 but instead i said no, sars said they need documents which ididnt have and i failed to submit, can that be rectified or what, becouse sars is owing money?
check if you can can still request a correction for that tax return, if so resubmit and submit the relevant documents
Hi i got a letter saying verification has been finalized with changes i am disputing the amount and i want to know when i will get my refund.
Hi i got a letter saying verification has been finalized with changes i am not disputing the amount and i want to know when i will get my refund.
It takes SARS up to 10 Business day to process your refund after this process.
Just curious, what’s your reason for not disputing the assessment? Are you comfortable accepting the change to the tax return and what it could mean for you going forward?
Hi. The verification have been finalised and I received a letter stating that. But still my SOA doesnt show date of refund. When will the date of refund reflect on SOA.
if there is no special stopper on your account, it would take up to ten business days.
You may call to find out if they (SARS) do not have a special stopper on your account, which may need you to verify your bank details.
Hello, I have submitted my documents as I was selected for verification and it’s 21 days passed still no communication from SARS and I have 3 additional assessments done but they are not mine could it mean that they have done the additional assessments themselves but what do I do … been calling but no answer even on emails
I’m unsure how it’s possible to not get any communication but simultaneously receive further assessments.
We kindly request you to reach out to us and establish contact with us, enabling us to gain a clearer understanding of your circumstances.
Hi. I’ve been selected for a verification when i submitted my vat 201 in July, it’s over 21 days since I’ve submitted all relevant documents they requested but i still haven’t received a finished letter. My partner went to sars offices and they said everything is in order and we should receive the letter soon but that was also about 2 weeks ago and still no letter. How can I resolve this?
The correct procedure is to raise a rule 56 against sars
The alternative is to raise and/lodge a complaint.
Do you need assistance?
Hi. I received an sms that says, your verification has been finalized and a notice of assessment has been issued.
And when I check SOA there’s still negative sign on the amount. But no refund date
Hi Vusi,
As we discussed on WhatsApp, the negative balance indicates that you have a refund due.
SARS typically takes up to 10 business days to process a refund. If you haven’t received your refund after this period, please give them a call. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to ensure that SARS has your current banking details. Without the correct information, they may not be able to process your refund on time.
Let us know if we can help further with this or any other concerns.
Hi, I received message that says verification finalised with changes but when I check my statement of account the amount is still the same negative . The date of transaction shows 2024 – 09-01.
Hi,
Please check the additional assessment issued against your account and then rerun a statement of account to check what may have changed.
You are welcome to send us the original and additional assessment to check for you.
Regards