SARS tax season 2026: Three weeks until auto assessments start
· The South African
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced the filing dates for the 2026 tax season, while unveiling several enhancements designed to make the filing process easier and more efficient for taxpayers.
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The revenue service said it will continue to expand the use of auto assessments and digital services, reducing the need for many taxpayers to manually complete and submit tax returns.
Auto assessment dates
Taxpayers selected for auto assessments will receive notifications from SARS between Wednesday, 1 and Sunday, 12 July 2026.
That kicks off in exactly three weeks’ time.
The filing periods for the various taxpayer categories are as follows:
- Auto assessments: 1 July to 12 July 2026
- Non-provisional taxpayers: 13 July to 23 October 2026
- Provisional taxpayers: 13 July 2026 to 22 January 2027
- Trusts: 13 July 2026 to 22 January 2027
SARS has encouraged taxpayers to avoid last-minute submissions and ensure all necessary information and supporting documents are available before filing.
The revenue service explained that non-provisional taxpayers are generally salaried employees whose employers deduct Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax on their behalf. These taxpayers often have simpler tax affairs and may qualify for auto assessments.
Provisional taxpayers include individuals who earn income from sources such as businesses, freelance work, rental properties or investments and are required to make provisional tax payments during the year.
Key focus
Auto assessments remain a key focus of SARS’s strategy.
Using information obtained from employers, banks, medical schemes, retirement funds and insurers, SARS automatically calculates tax returns for qualifying taxpayers.
Those selected will receive an SMS or email indicating whether they are due a refund or owe money to SARS. Taxpayers are encouraged to review the assessment on SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp and only submit an updated Income Tax Return (ITR12) if information is missing or incorrect.
SARS noted that taxpayers who agree with their auto assessment do not need to formally accept it. Any refund due will automatically be paid into their registered bank account.
What’s changed?
For the 2026 filing season, SARS has introduced several changes aimed at improving the taxpayer experience.
These include additional prefilled information on returns, simplified questions, clearer wording on tax forms and improved guidance relating to tax residency declarations.
Other enhancements include easier medical aid scheme selection through dropdown menus, expanded WhatsApp services, a redesigned eFiling platform with improved navigation and new declaration alerts intended to reduce errors and verification delays.
SARS has also reminded taxpayers to verify that their banking and contact details are up to date before filing season begins.
Remain alert to scams
The revenue service further warned taxpayers to remain alert to scams and phishing attempts, which typically increase during filing season.
Taxpayers are encouraged to use SARS’s digital platforms, including eFiling, the SARS MobiApp and the SARS Online Query System, to access services quickly and securely.
According to SARS, the ongoing modernisation of its systems is intended to make tax compliance simpler, faster and more convenient for all taxpayers.
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