How to Get Your Diesel SARS Rebate with Best GPS Logbook: Get All the Answers

To claim the diesel rebate, you first have to be part of (and use) the diesel for your primary production business, which includes fishing, mining, forestry, and agriculture.

Following this, you should:

• Ensure you’re a VAT-registered vendor
• Register on SARS e-filing for the refund
• Keep a comprehensive logbook that records everything for at least the last 5 years
• Submit your claim and wait for approval

To check your SARS rebate, you can:

• Check the status of the refund form (VAT 201) via the SARS website
• Look under ‘refund status’ on the homepage of the SARS phone app
• Send a WhatsApp with the word ‘Hi’, then ‘Refund Status’, and follow the prompts
• Dial *134*7277#, then select option 3

The best logbook to get your diesel fleet rebate from SARS is one that helps you record all the asset data in in-depth, comprehensive detail.

Your logbook should:

• Ideally be automated for convenience and to avoid human error
• Allow for individual logs with strict and detailed notes
• Distinguish between eligible and non-eligible diesel use
• Allow you to export SARS-ready reports

Cartrack’s logbook function offers all of the above and more.

A diesel rebate is a tax refund initiative propelled by the government to provide financial relief for businesses in primary production. These are businesses that require diesel but typically don’t use public roads, i.e., machines used for mining, harvesting food items, and the like. This is especially needed during times when fuel price fluctuations are rife.

According to research, diesel may take about 21 days to be refunded. This can take much longer–years, in fact–if your logbooks aren’t up to par and an audit needs to be conducted. To avoid delays, ensure everything is up-to-date, that you’re not in any other tax debt, and that your invoices are in order.

You can claim a diesel rebate within two years of the date of your invoice, although it’s important you keep business logs for at least 5 years for auditing purposes.

The primary fuel that qualifies for a tax credit is diesel, although electric and solar (not fuel, but an energy source nonetheless) count as well. Regarding electric incentives, the government has recently introduced benefits for people who invest in electric vehicles.

Additionally, if you purchased solar panels between 1 March 2023 and 29 February 2024, you may be eligible for a rebate of 25% of the cost of solar panels.

The eligibility requirements for the SARS diesel refund include:

• Being a VAT-registered vendor
• Working within the primary production
• Being registered for the diesel refund system via SARS
• Third parties aren’t being used by your business to purchase the diesel
• Logbooks are detailed and thorough
• Your invoices are in order

The industries that qualify for the diesel fuel tax refund are primary production companies. These include:

• Forestry
• On land, such as mining and agriculture
• Offshore, such as marine research and fishing
• Rail transport

The percent claim you can get from SARS is 100% for diesel rebates. This change came into effect on 1 April 2026, and is an increase from the previous 80% percentage claim.

The price of the logbook solution from Cartrack for your fleet depends on your package plan. Cartrack’s e-logbook comes standard with your fleet package options, and the total is based on the size of your fleet, your chosen package plan, and your choice of add-ons. Monthly subscriptions start at R119.

It’s critical to get a rebate now more than ever because of the current fuel price hike. When there’s uncertainty that comes with geopolitics and the impact it has on fuel prices, this kind of rebate is a lifeline. Moreover, fuel is typically the biggest expense anyway, so this rebate can add a massive financial benefit.