Tax season is upon us, and the need to pay your dues to SARS (South African Revenue Service) has become imminent. With long lines and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, you’re looking for a safer and more efficient payment method. For FNB (First National Bank) account holders, there are several convenient avenues to make your payment to SARS.
As an FNB account holder, you have various options at your disposal:
- FNB online Banking’s eFiling (Fastest method)
- EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer)
- Payment through an FNB ATM
- Payment at an FNB branch
These steps are suitable for tax payments for individuals and small businesses. Attention corporations and medium to large enterprises: kindly consult the ‘eFiling Payment Method for Corporates’ section available on the FNB eFiling page.
Let’s delve into the specifics of each method, along with their limitations and potential obstacles.
Expedited SARS Payment via FNB’s eFiling (Fastest Method)
Among the available methods, eFiling stands out for its convenience. To use this method, you need to set up ‘Credit Push’ on your SARS eFiling site (refer to SARS website on how to set up “Credit Push”). This ensures all your eFiling payments automatically appear in your FNB online banking account.
The eFiling process involves the following steps:
- Log in to your FNB online banking.
- Click on the ‘Payments’ tab or icon displayed on the FNB homepage.
- Choose the ‘eFiling + Smart IDs’ subtab on the ‘Pay Recipient’ page.
- A list of eFiling Payment requests (created on the SARS site) will appear with ‘Pay’ and ‘Delete’ buttons.
- Click on the ‘Pay’ button.
- Verify the transaction details on the ‘Please Confirm’ page.
- Finalize the payment, and you’re done.
This method reduces chances of errors, as payment details are automatically populated.
SARS Payments via EFT Through FNB
In contrast to eFiling, SARS payments can be made via EFT. The ‘Public Recipient Search’ page allows you to search for SARS followed by your tax payment prefix. Be sure to use the correct ‘Payment Reference Number’ (PRN) to allow SARS to identify your payment accurately. This can be completed on the FNB online website or the FNB app.
Making SARS Payments at an FNB ATM
Payments can also be made at select FNB ATMs. To do this, you need to add ‘SARS-‘ as a beneficiary and include the PRN. Find your nearest ATM that allows transfers and payments, and follow these steps:
- Insert your FNB bank card and input your PIN.
- Select ‘More Options’ on the main menu.
- Choose ‘Transfers and Payments’ on the ‘Service Menu’.
- On the following menu, select ‘Make a Transfer or Payment’.
- Choose the account for the transaction.
- Select the beneficiary account, ‘SARS-‘.
- Enter the amount to be paid and proceed.
- Review and confirm the payment details.
Despite some hiccups in recognizing ‘SAR’ as a public recipient, the direct deposit option via FNB’s cardless services allows public recipient payments.
SARS Payments at FNB Branch
A less convenient method is to make payments at an FNB branch by referencing ‘SARS-‘ and the PRN on your deposit slip. Given the ongoing pandemic, it’s safer to use home-based payment methods.
It’s important to be aware of the limitations when making payments via eFiling or EFT. Payments are limited to Mondays through Saturdays, with a daily cut-off time. Incorrect references can’t be reversed easily, necessitating careful verification of payment details. Additionally, eFiling is only accessible through the main FNB online banking website, not through the mobile app.
To sum up, several methods are available to make SARS payments via FNB, with eFiling proving the most efficient. However, improvements such as enabling eFiling on the FNB app and simplifying ATM deposits would enhance the user experience. Remember, precise information is crucial when making payments, and the FNB customer service can redirect you to SARS for assistance.
