Cape Town: Tax filing season is approaching, and South Africans are expected to settle their financial obligations with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) from 7 July to 20 October 2025.
According to South African Government News Agency, taxpayers who are automatically assessed will start receiving notifications from July.
Taxpayers who do not receive automatic assessment notifications from SARS are encouraged to submit their tax returns promptly and accurately from 21 July 2025. The filing season for non-provisional individuals will close on 20 October 2025. Taxpayers are advised to prepare necessary documentation in advance and review their assessments to prevent last-minute delays for those required to file an income return.
SARS emphasizes the importance of keeping banking details correct and updated to ensure efficient processing of any refunds. Taxpayers needing to update their bank details must first confirm that their security contact details, such as email and cell phone number, on the SARS
eFiling platform are current. No action is required if these details have not changed.
SARS has identified a segment of provisional and non-provisional taxpayers for auto-assessment. This initiative targets individuals with one or more income sources from formal or other employment and “whose tax affairs are not complicated.”
From 7 July, SARS will directly communicate with affected taxpayers via SMS and/or email, notifying them of their auto-assessed tax returns. If a refund is due, it will be paid directly to the taxpayer’s bank account within 72 business hours post-notification. Conversely, if there is an amount owed to SARS, it must be paid to SARS’ Bank Account, eFiling, or through the SARS MobiApp by the specified date.
Taxpayers can access their auto-assessed income tax returns through SARS’s channels, such as the SARS MobiApp or SARS eFiling, to review and verify the accuracy of the information resulting in the auto-assessment. If satisfied with the auto-assessment, no further action is required.
The automatic assessment process relies on third-party data from employers, pension fund administrators, medical aid schemes, and others, allowing SARS to complete the tax declaration for this group of taxpayers and issue an Auto Assessment. Taxpayers satisfied with the calculations need not take further steps unless they believe necessary information has not been captured. In such cases, they can update their returns via eFiling by 20 October 2025. Refunds will be processed within 72 hours if information is accurate, while any owed amounts must be settled through respective banks.
Complex tax matters will allow taxpayers to begin filing returns from 21 July until 20 October. This period also applies to provisional taxpayers and trust submissions. SARS has enhanced its support services, including more information on interactive channels, extended customer service hours, updated online filing platforms for easier submission, comprehensive guidance on their website, and increased security measures to protect s
ensitive information.
Taxpayers are reminded to comply with current regulations and deadlines to avoid penalties. For assistance, they are encouraged to visit the SARS website or utilize digital channels such as eFiling and the SARS MobiApp. Visiting branches should be a last resort, and appointments must be booked if necessary.