Do I need to file old returns to obtain refund, even if I fell below the tax filing threshold?

SARS want to me file all my previous tax returns in order to receive my refund for this year. In 2011 I tutored at a university and earned below the tax filing threshold and therefore did not file my tax return. How do I file my tax return now for 2012 or how do I show SARS that I didn't need to?

Unfortunately if SARS requires you to submit these returns you unfortunately need to. If you are doing the 2012 return via eFiling your IRP5s should already reflect there so you only need to check it and send it off to SARS.