Getting your taxes sorted with SARS can sometimes feel like a puzzle, especially when it comes to making payments. If you've just filed your tax return and owe SARS some money, you'll likely need to authorise a "Credit Push" payment through your bank.

To authorise a SARS payment on the Absa app, you first need to initiate the payment on the SARS eFiling website using the "Credit Push" option. Once that's done, you'll need to log into your Absa online banking platform to find and approve the pending payment request. While the Absa app handles many transactions smoothly, some users find the "Authorisations" tab for SARS payments more readily accessible on the desktop version of Absa Online Banking.

Starting Your SARS Payment on eFiling

Before you even open your Absa app, the first step is always on the SARS eFiling website. This is where you tell SARS you want to pay and choose the "Credit Push" method. This method sends a payment instruction to your bank, which you then need to approve. It's like SARS sending a digital bill directly to your bank account, waiting for your nod.

Here's a quick look at what you'll do on eFiling:

• Log in to SARS eFiling: Go to the official SARS eFiling website and log in with your credentials.
• Find your assessment: Navigate to your tax assessment (like an ITA34) or statement of account that shows the amount you owe.
• Initiate payment: Select the option to make a payment and choose "Credit Push" as your payment method.
• Select your bank: Pick Absa from the list of banks provided.
• Confirm details: Make sure the payment amount and your tax reference number are correct. You'll get a unique Payment Reference Number (PRN).
• Submit payment request: This sends the payment instruction to Absa.

Authorising the Payment on Absa Online Banking

Now for the Absa part. After you've sent the payment request from eFiling, it's time to log in to Absa to give the final approval.

For authorising SARS payments specifically, many users find the desktop version of Absa Online Banking more straightforward than the app. So, it's a good idea to access your Absa account through a web browser on your computer.

Here’s how you generally do it:

• Log in to Absa Online Banking: Go to the Absa website and log into your online banking profile. Make sure you use your usual access number.
• Navigate to Payments: Look for a "Payments" or "Pay" tab.
• Find Authorisations: Within the payments section, you'll typically find a tab or option for "Authorisations" or "Tax/UIF". This is where pending payments, like your SARS eFiling request, will show up.
• Select the SARS payment: You should see the SARS payment request listed there, with the amount and details you initiated on eFiling.
• Verify and Approve: Carefully check all the details to ensure they match what you submitted to SARS. Once everything looks correct, select the payment and click to "Approve" or "Release" it.
• Confirmation: You'll likely receive a confirmation message that the payment has been authorised.

I remember the first time I had to do a SARS payment. I was trying to find the authorisation option everywhere on my Absa app, tapping through menus like crazy. After a good 15 minutes of searching, I called a friend who casually told me, "Oh, for SARS, just use the desktop site. It's much easier to find the 'Authorisations' section there." He was absolutely right! The desktop interface just laid it out clearly.

Always double-check your payment reference number. A while back, I helped my uncle with his tax payment, and he accidentally typed in a wrong digit in the reference. The payment went through, but SARS couldn't allocate it correctly. It took ages to sort out, proving that those little numbers are super important. Ensuring your payment is correctly referenced means SARS can quickly match it to your account.

After you approve the payment, Absa will process it and send the funds to SARS. Remember to keep an eye on your eFiling account in a day or two to confirm the payment has reflected.

Making sure your SARS payments are authorised correctly means you avoid any late payment penalties. It's a quick process once you know where to look.

Speaking of payments, did you know you can earn rewards just for everyday tasks? Check out the Points Castle App to discover how you can get free vouchers and more while going about your daily life.