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Could SARS refund my tax to a UK bank account or does it have to be to a SA account?

Posted 28 August 2013

Hi Tim,
I worked in South Africa last year as UK citizen and have put in a tax return. It's calculated quite a bit back but now I have a message that reads 'AVS Bank with AVS verification pass'. I am back in the UK and SARS have said I can make someone power of attorney on my behalf, which I have duly done. They have agreed to take my paperwork to the SARS office with certified copy of my passport and my last ABSA bank statement.

My question is, to make life easier could SARS refund my tax to a UK bank account or does it have to be to my South Africa ABSA account?

Am I likely to get my tax back whilst I am back in the UK, despite the fact I have a South African bank account?

TaxTim TaxTim says:
28 August 2013 at 23:52

It would be better to refund into the SA account as SARS are not happy to have foreign bank accounts listed. Are you an SA resident?

Wilson333 says:
29 August 2013 at 0:33

No I'm a UK resident who worked in SA between Sept 2012 and June 2012. They want me to prove my bank account in SA but I'm not sure when I am due back. They said I can appoint someone power of attorney so I have done that. I had to give my physical address as my current UK one which I think has generated the query.

TaxTim TaxTim says:
30 August 2013 at 0:24

It would bring up a query, but if you have a power of attorney taking in all your documents for you then it will be resolved, but just would take extra time. You could send a sworn letter stating you wish to have the amount paid into your foreign account, this may help.

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