The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has processed billions in tax refunds since the start of the 2026 filing season, with over 1.9 million taxpayers auto-assessed and R8 billion paid out within 72 hours.SARS aims to simplify tax filing by using third-party data to pre-populate returns, allowing taxpayers to review and confirm accuracy.While this system benefits those with complete and verified information, some may still wait for manual processing.Taxpayers can check refund statuses via SARS WhatsApp, MobiApp, or USSD by providing personal details and tax references.The auto-assessment process excludes individuals with incomplete data or non-employment/investment income, such as rental income.SARS emphasizes the importance of verifying information before accepting assessments, ensuring taxpayers remain responsible for accuracy.The initiative reflects broader efforts to improve tax administration and public service efficiency in South Africa.