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A wave of SMS and email scams titled "Tax Return Notification" tells people they are owed a tax refund and sends them to a fake website to claim it. SARS first warned about the scam on 28 July 2026 and repeated the warning in its October 2026 Monthly Tax Digest, published on 15 October. SARS advises anyone who receives the message to delete it and block the sender.
What the scam looks like
An SMS or email says the recipient is owed a refund. SARS's example quotes R48,900.
A link leads to a fraudulent website made to look like SARS, where the victim is asked to "claim" the refund.
SARS warns that scammers now use AI to write professional-looking emails, which makes them harder to spot.
What SARS will never do
According to SARS's scams and phishing page, SARS will never:
ask for passwords, one-time pins (OTPs), banking PINs or eFiling login details by email, SMS, social media or telephone
ask for banking details in any communication sent by post, email or SMS
send hyperlinks to other websites, including bank websites
send .htm or .html attachments
ask for credit card details
Who it affects
All taxpayers, and accountants and tax practitioners whose clients and staff may receive these messages.
What this means for accountants and finance professionals
Clients will forward these messages. A short client alert now saves calls later and positions the practice as the trusted source on SARS matters.
Practice access is a target. eFiling credentials for a practice give access to many clients. Staff should know that SARS never asks for passwords or OTPs.
Check refunds in eFiling. A genuine refund shows in the taxpayer's eFiling profile. If a message claims a refund that eFiling does not show, treat it as a scam.
This is a repeat warning. AW covered a similar refund scam on 21 July 2026. The pattern continues, so build scam awareness into onboarding and annual client communication.
What to do
Delete and block any "Tax Return Notification" SMS or email.
Do not click links or enter login, banking or card details.
Check refunds only by logging in to eFiling directly.
If unsure, check SARS's Scams and Phishing page or report it to the SARS Fraud and Anti-Corruption Hotline on 0800 00 2870.
Send clients a short alert with the list of what SARS will never do.
Sources: SARS scam alert: Tax Return Notification, 28 July 2026 · SARS Monthly Tax Digest, October 2026 · SARS: Scams and phishing · AW, 21 July 2026
