The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has introduced a series of advanced digital services for the 2026 tax filing season, aimed at making tax compliance simpler, faster and more secure.
In a statement, SARS said that as of July 1, more than 1.9 million taxpayers had already been auto-assessed, with more than R8b in refunds paid within 72 hours.
The revenue service said these reforms are part of its commitment to improve service delivery and build a smart, modern organization with 'unquestionable integrity'.
Also read: SARS announces phased rollout for 2026 tax filing season
SARS expects more than six million taxpayers to receive auto-assessments this year. Using information provided by employers, banks, medical plans, retirement funds, and other third-party providers, tax returns can be filled out in advance, reducing the amount of information taxpayers need to obtain on their own.
Taxpayers selected for auto-assessment between July 1 and 12 have been advised not to visit SARS service centers unless absolutely necessary. Instead, they should wait for official communication and review their assessments through e-filing, SARS MobiApp or other authorized digital channels.
Enhancements introduced this filing season include more accurate auto-assessment, expanded digital self-service through e-filing, enhanced security through SARS MobiApp and SARS Online Query System, biometric and two-factor authentication, expanded support through Lwazi AI Virtual Assistant, ability to upload supporting documents through WhatsApp, and delivery of notices of assessment and account statements through WhatsApp and other digital platforms.
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SARS said it has also increased its capacity to manage the large number of taxpayers using its digital services.
SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu said the changes were aimed at simplifying compliance.
“Our goal is to make compliance easier for honest taxpayers. Each of the improvements introduced this filing season are designed to improve service, reduce complexity, and give taxpayers more confidence when dealing with SARS.
“We want taxpayers to spend less time dealing with administration and more time benefiting from our modern digital services.”
Makhubu also urged taxpayers to remain vigilant against scams despite stringent security measures.
“Taxpayers should be wary of anyone who guarantees refunds or requests sensitive information without proper verification. The security of personal information remains a shared responsibility between SARS and taxpayers.”
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