How to Submit a Payment Allocation to SARS

Submitting a payment allocation request asks the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to assign a payment already made to the correct tax type, tax period or account liability. You will generally need your SARS eFiling access, payment details and proof of payment; the available request options can depend on the tax type and the status of the payment.

What You’ll Need

• Your SARS eFiling username and password, and access to any required authentication method.
• The payment date, amount, payment reference number (PRN) and relevant tax type and tax period.
• A bank confirmation, receipt or other proof showing that the payment left your account.
• Details of how the payment should be allocated, such as the correct tax account or period, and the reason it needs correction.
• Any supporting documents requested by SARS. Save clear copies before starting.

Step-by-Step

1. Confirm the payment is with SARS. Check your bank statement and payment confirmation for the amount, date and SARS payment reference. A payment that is still processing or was sent to the wrong beneficiary may not be available to allocate. If the money did not reach SARS, contact your bank about tracing or correcting the transfer rather than requesting an allocation.
2. Check the SARS account first. Sign in to SARS eFiling through the official SARS website. Open the relevant tax type or account and review its statement of account, payment history or transaction details. Names and menu positions can change. Confirm whether the payment is missing, appears under another period, or is sitting as an unallocated credit.
3. Identify the precise correction. Write down the payment reference, amount and date, where SARS currently shows the credit, and where it should be allocated. If the payment was split across liabilities, specify the intended amounts and periods, ensuring they add up to the payment total. Do not guess a reference number or tax period.
4. Open the relevant payment-allocation service. In eFiling, select the correct taxpayer profile and tax type. Look for the account, payments or payment allocation area and follow the option for a payment allocation or reallocation request. The exact wording and availability may differ by tax product and account. If no suitable option appears, use SARS’s official contact channels to ask which process applies to that account.
5. Enter the payment and requested allocation. Provide the details requested on the screen, matching them exactly to your proof of payment. Select or enter the correct tax type and period, then state briefly why the current allocation is incorrect. If the form asks for a PRN, use the reference shown on the SARS payment instruction or receipt; a bank transaction number is not necessarily the SARS PRN.
6. Attach supporting evidence. Upload the bank proof or payment receipt and any requested account information. Make sure documents are legible, complete and show the payment amount and date. Do not include unrelated personal or financial information unless SARS requests it.
7. Review before submitting. Check the taxpayer profile, tax type, period, payment reference, amount and requested destination. Confirm the allocation amounts total the payment amount. A typo can delay review or direct the credit to the wrong liability.
8. Submit and keep the reference. Submit the request and save the confirmation screen, case or query number, and a copy of the documents sent. A submission confirmation means SARS received the request; it does not mean the allocation has been approved or completed.
9. Monitor the account and respond if asked. Check eFiling messages and the account statement for updates. If SARS requests more information, respond through the stated channel and include the case reference. After the decision, verify that the payment appears against the intended tax type and period. Keep paying any separate liability by its due date; a pending request should not be treated as an automatic extension or correction.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong reference: A bank confirmation number, tax reference number and SARS PRN are different identifiers. Use the one the form requests.
• Choosing the wrong period or tax type: Check the account statement and original payment instruction before submitting.
• Requesting an allocation for a payment that has not cleared: Wait until payment status can be confirmed, or ask the bank to trace it.
• Sending incomplete proof: A cropped image that hides the date, amount or reference may not establish which payment is involved.
• Submitting duplicate requests: Repeated requests can make follow-up confusing. Check for an existing case before creating another.
• Assuming a request pauses collection or deadlines: Do not rely on an allocation request to change a payment due date or the status of an outstanding balance.

Tips

• Use the relevant taxpayer profile, especially if you manage more than one person or business on eFiling.
• Keep the explanation short and factual: say what the payment is, where it currently appears and where it should go.
• Use a consistent file name for the proof, such as the payment date and tax type, and retain the original.
• Record the submission date and case number. If you contact SARS, have these and the payment details ready.
• Use only official SARS channels. Do not send passwords, one-time PINs or full banking credentials in a message or attachment.

Troubleshooting

The payment is not visible: Check that the bank transfer cleared, allow for processing time, and confirm the beneficiary and reference used. If the details were wrong or the payment cannot be traced, contact the bank and SARS through official channels with proof.

The allocation option is missing: Confirm you selected the right profile and tax type. Some requests may not be available online for every account or situation. Ask SARS which current process applies rather than selecting an unrelated form.

The form rejects the reference or period: Compare the entry with the payment instruction and account statement, including digits and date format. If the details match but validation still fails, save a screenshot without exposing sensitive information and contact SARS.

The request is pending or declined: Check eFiling correspondence for a request for evidence or an explanation. Reply against the existing case if instructed. If declined, read the reason and ask SARS how to correct the information or submit the appropriate follow-up; do not simply resend the same request.

The payment went to the wrong beneficiary: An allocation request may not resolve a transfer that SARS never received. Ask your bank whether the payment can be traced or recalled, and follow SARS guidance for the specific transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is payment allocation the same as making a payment?
No. Allocation concerns how SARS records a payment already made. It does not send money to SARS or replace a payment instruction.

Can I move a payment from one tax period to another?
You can request a correction where appropriate, but SARS must assess the request and the available process may differ. Give the exact current and intended periods.

What is a SARS payment reference number?
The PRN is a reference used to identify a SARS payment. Use the reference specified for the payment and do not substitute a bank transaction ID unless the form explicitly requests it.

How long does reallocation take?
Processing times can vary with the request, tax type and any information SARS needs. Check your eFiling messages and case status for updates rather than assuming a fixed timeframe.

Does submitting a request stop interest, penalties or collection activity?
Do not assume that it does. Check your account and contact SARS about any outstanding amount or deadline while the request is being considered.

Can someone else submit the request for me?
They should use only the access and authorisation arrangements accepted by SARS for the taxpayer. Never share your eFiling password or authentication codes.

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