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SARS Tax Refund Calculator (South Africa)

Short answer: Your refund is the PAYE your employer already paid over (on your IRP5) minus the tax you actually owe for the year. Put in your taxable income and PAYE below for an estimate using the SARS tax tables.

Try it

Tax year Taxable income for the year (R) PAYE paid, from your IRP5 code 4102 (R) Age at the end of the tax year People on your medical aid (you included)

An estimate, worked out in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere or saved.

How it works

Find your taxable income and the PAYE figure (code 4102) on your IRP5.
Put them in below with your age and the number of people on your medical aid.
For a figure built from all your slips and certificates, ask "what do I owe" on WhatsApp.

Do it on WhatsApp

Once you are set up, just say: "what is my tax refund"

Do it on WhatsApp OptiTax, from R99 a month

Frequently asked questions

Why is my refund smaller than I expected?

Common reasons: a second income with no PAYE, a missing medical or retirement annuity certificate, or interest above the exemption. The estimate here covers salary, rebates and the medical scheme credit only.

When does SARS pay a refund?

After your assessment, into the bank account on your eFiling profile. SARS can verify a return first, which takes longer.

Do you claim the refund for me?

No. We estimate it and organise the paperwork. You or your registered tax practitioner file the return with SARS.

Income Tax Calculator South Africa (2026/27 and 2025/26)Work out South African income tax for a year: SARS brackets, the primary, secondary and tertiary rebates, and the medical scheme fees credit.Medical Tax Credit Calculator (South Africa)Work out the SARS medical scheme fees tax credit for you and your dependants, per month and per year, for 2026/27 and 2025/26.Tax Return Documents Checklist (South Africa)The documents to gather before you file an ITR12 in South Africa: IRP5, IT3(a), medical, retirement annuity, logbook, donation receipts and slips.

All tools and answers

General information and estimates, not tax advice. OptiTax prepares and organises; you or your registered tax practitioner submit to SARS. Last checked 19/10/2026.