Turnaround times for the assessment of returns were almost 95% of returns processed within 24 hours during Tax Season 2009 compared to 62% a year earlier. In the vast majority of cases this resulted in refunds being paid within 48 hours of submission directly into taxpayers' bank accounts. During the year, SARS refunded R14.8 billion compared to R11.2 billion a year earlier, providing significant and speedy relief to cash-strapped consumers.