South African taxpayers advised to check SARS automatic assessment before accepting reimbursement

Residents of South Africa who are receiving automatic assessments from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in the current tax season are being warned against accepting this information without prior verification.

Scale of the Tax Season

IOL previously reported that SARS paid out R8 billion in tax refunds in just 72 hours after the start of the 2026 tax filing season. According to SARS, by the end of July 1, 2026, over 1.9 million taxpayers had undergone automatic assessment, with approximately R8 billion disbursed in the first three days.

How Automatic Assessment Works

The tax season officially started on July 1, 2026, and already over 1.9 million taxpayers received an automatic assessment at that time. These automatic assessments are generated based on data received from employers, banks, medical scheme administrators, and pension funds. SARS uses this information to pre-fill relevant sections of the tax return.

Importance of Data Verification

Although the automated process is intended to simplify filing, tax experts emphasize that the responsibility for the accuracy of the data used by SARS remains with the taxpayers. The financial company Allan Gray recommended carefully reviewing the automatic assessments before approving them.

Advice from a Tax Expert

Likhle Humalo, a tax expert at Allan Gray, warned that if errors are found in the pre-filled information, it may be necessary to contact the relevant third-party provider (such as an employer or fund administrator) to correct the information at the source. She noted that this could delay the final processing of the return, so it is recommended to check the preliminary data as early as possible.

Humalo added that while automatic assessments are designed to simplify the process, they do not relieve the taxpayer of the obligation to ensure the completeness and accuracy of their return. She concluded that a quick review can determine the difference between a smooth filing process and costly subsequent adjustments, stressing: 'Convenience does not always mean accuracy: it remains your duty to thoroughly check your assessment before accepting it.'

iol.co.zaJuly 6, 13:24

SARS explains why some taxpayers are excluded from automatic tax assessment

The tax season has begun, and the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has already conducted an automatic assessment for approximately 1.9 million taxpayers.

Expansion of the automatic assessment program

Although many citizens receive ready-made calculations, some taxpayers remain outside this system. Previously, IOL reported that around six million taxpayers were expected to be automatically assessed during 2026. SARS Commissioner, Dr. Johnstone Makubu, also stated that the automatic assessment program has been expanded and will now include another 200,000 temporary taxpayers with relatively simple tax affairs.

How automatic assessment works

Automatic assessment allows the revenue service to use data obtained from employers, banks, medical schemes, pension funds, and other third-party data providers to automatically calculate a taxpayer's tax position. Taxpayers selected for this assessment receive notifications from SARS in groups and can view their calculations via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp mobile application.

Financial results and limitations

According to SARS, by the end of July 1, 2026, over 1.9 million taxpayers had undergone automatic determination, and approximately 8 billion in tax refunds were paid within the first 72 hours after the start of the tax season.

However, not everyone will be able to utilize the automatic assessment system. The service indicated that the process only functions if the taxpayer's information is complete, consistent, and verified through third-party data sources, such as banks and employers.

Reasons for exclusion from the system

SARS emphasized that automatic assessment will not be provided if personal information is incomplete (details can be updated on eFiling). Furthermore, automatic assessment does not apply if income is not derived from employment and investments, such as rental income. In fact, automatic assessment is intended for taxpayers with simple financial matters whose income can be verified by third parties. Taxpayers with complex financial affairs, missing information, or income that SARS cannot automatically verify will generally have to file a tax return during the regular season.

Specifically, taxpayers receiving business income or foreign income, having capital gains, multiple sources of income, or other information that cannot be verified through third-party data, are generally not suitable for automatic assessment.

iol.co.zaJuly 5, 09:00

SARS begins 2026 tax season: over 1.9 million taxpayers receive automatic assessment

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has officially launched the 2026 tax filing season. Within the first 72 hours of the start, repayments totaling approximately 8 billion rand were disbursed, and over 1.9 million taxpayers underwent automatic assessment.

Deadlines and Assessment Process

The tax season commenced on July 1st, coinciding with the start of the automatic assessment period, which will run until July 12th. During this time, eligible taxpayers will receive their assessments automatically. Those not included in the automatic assessment list can begin filing income tax returns from July 13th.

According to the revenue service, by the end of July 1st, 2026, automatic determination had been conducted for more than 1.9 million filers, with repayments amounting to approximately 8 billion rand paid out in the first three days. SARS plans to conduct automatic assessments for over six million taxpayers this year, continuing to expand the use of digital services and automated tax administration.

Goals of Modernization and Service Improvement

The revenue service emphasized that the 2026 season is part of efforts to modernize tax administration through digital transformation, expanded data usage, and automated checks, aiming to reduce the administrative burden on citizens. SARS Commissioner, Dr. Johnston Makubu, stated that the goal is to make tax compliance easy for honest taxpayers.

He added that every improvement implemented this season is aimed at enhancing service quality, reducing complexity, and strengthening taxpayer trust in interactions with SARS. The objective is to allow taxpayers to spend less time on administrative matters and more time utilizing modern digital services.

What to Do After Receiving an Assessment

Many South Africans are already receiving automatic assessments as the season begins. The service urges taxpayers to carefully review the received notifications before making any decisions. Automatic assessments are generated based on information collected by employers, banks, medical schemes, and pension fund administrators, which is used for pre-filling tax returns.

If the assessment is correct, no further action is required, and any due refund will be automatically transferred to the taxpayer's registered bank account.

Digital Enhancements for 2026

According to SARS, several key improvements have been introduced for the 2026 season. These include more accurate automatic assessments based on expanded sources of third-party data. Digital self-service capabilities have also been extended through eFiling, the SARS MobiApp, and the SARS Online Query System.

Profile security has been strengthened through biometric authentication, two-factor authentication, and device-level security controls. Technical support has been expanded via the virtual assistant Lwazi AI, and the option to upload supporting documents via WhatsApp has become available. Data integration for taxpayers has been improved, and pre-filling of returns has been enhanced. SARS has also ensured the necessary capacity to handle the increased volume of interaction across various channels.

Fraud Warning

The revenue service also strongly advised South Africans to remain cautious regarding fraud. Scammers frequently target taxpayers during the filing season, using fake SMS messages, emails, and refund schemes to obtain personal or banking information. Makubu warned that taxpayers must be vigilant against anyone guaranteeing refunds or requesting confidential information without proper verification. He stressed that protecting personal data remains a shared responsibility between SARS and taxpayers.

iol.co.zaJuly 2, 11:49

SARS advises taxpayers to carefully check automatic assessments before submitting changes

With the start of the 2026 tax filing season, many South Africans have begun receiving automatic assessments from the South African Revenue Service (SARS). Taxpayers are strongly urged to thoroughly review the received notifications before taking any action.

Expansion of the Automatic Assessment Program

Previously, IOL reported that the revenue service expects to conduct automatic assessments for about six million taxpayers during the 2026 season. SARS Commissioner, Dr. Johnston Makubu, stated that the automatic assessment program has been expanded and will now include an additional 200,000 temporary taxpayers with relatively simple tax affairs.

How the Automatic Assessment Works

Automatic assessments are part of SARS's efforts to simplify tax compliance. This is achieved by using data already provided by employers, banks, medical aid schemes, and pension fund administrators to pre-fill tax returns.

Actions Upon Receiving an Assessment

The revenue service emphasized that recipients of an automatic assessment must carefully verify it before accepting it. If the assessment is correct, no further action is required. However, if discrepancies are found—such as missing income, incorrect deductions, or additional receipts not reflected in the system—taxpayers must make adjustments and submit an updated return via SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp before the deadline.

Information on Refunds

IOL previously informed that taxpayers eligible for refunds this season can expect faster payments. Refunds of R100 and more will be automatically processed within approximately 72 hours after the assessment is completed. SARS clarified that refunds of less than R100 will be added to the account and paid out when the account balance exceeds R100.

Methods to Check Status

Furthermore, taxpayers can track the status of their refund and check account details through SARS digital platforms, including SARS eFiling and SARS MobiApp. SARS announced that the refund status can be checked via WhatsApp at 0800 11 72777, through the SARS MobiApp, or by dialing *134*7277#.