SAIPA warns South African taxpayers against blindly relying on SARS auto-assessment

Automated tax filing provides convenience for millions of South Africans, but taxpayers are legally responsible for ensuring that each statement is complete and accurate.

The auto-assessment window ran from July 1 to July 12, with taxpayers agreeing with the results requiring no action. Those who disagree can edit and submit their returns till October 23. Provisional taxpayers have time till January 22, 2027, while the filing window for trusts will open on September 19.

Taxpayers can file their returns or check their auto-assessment status securely on the SARS e-filing platform or SARS Mobi App.

SAIPA warns on self-assessment

In a statement released by SAIPA on Tuesday, July 14, the organisation's Center of Tax Excellence Manager, Malesela Letoala, said taxpayers should not assume that an auto-assessment is automatically correct.

Letoala said SARS has issued auto-assessments to taxpayers whose information has been obtained from employers, medical schemes, fund administrators, financial institutions and other third-party data providers. Although many taxpayers may not be required to lodge a tax return, they are still responsible for ensuring that the information reflected in their assessment is complete and accurate.

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He said taxpayers should also note that auto-assessment is not an indication that SARS has verified every aspect of their tax affairs. If there is no income, deductions or tax credits reported, they will not automatically be reflected in the assessment.

“It is the responsibility of the taxpayer to ensure that all taxable income is declared and any additional deductions or credits they are entitled to claim are included before the filing deadline,” he said.

Before relying on auto-assessment, Letoala said taxpayers should confirm:

• All employment, investment, rent, foreign and other income has been declared
• Banking details are current and correct
• Medical aid contributions and superannuation fund contributions are accurate
• Any additional deductible expenses or tax credits not reflected by third parties are considered
• Supporting documentation is retained in case SARS requests verification at a later stage

SAIPA warns against tax scams

Letoala urges taxpayers to be cautious when receiving any communication claiming to be from SARS.

Tax filing season is also a peak period for cybercrime and phishing scams. Criminals often impersonate SARS through fake emails, SMS, WhatsApp messages and telephone calls, using fake tax refunds, settlement notifications, demand letters, audit notices and even summons to create urgency and induce taxpayers to reveal confidential information or make payments into fraudulent bank accounts.

“Taxpayers should verify all SARS correspondence by logging into SARS e-filing or the SARS Mobi app directly, rather than clicking on links in emails or SMS. If you are unsure whether a communication is genuine, contact SARS through its official channels before taking any action.”

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Tips to stay safe this tax season

• Never share your e-filing login details, banking information, OTP or password in response to unexpected messages.
• SARS will never ask for banking details via email, SMS or WhatsApp, nor will they send links to banking sites or ask for payments into private accounts.
• Pay through official methods. Most South African banks come pre-loaded with SARS as a verified beneficiary.
• Do not open, reply to, or forward suspicious emails or texts.
• Report suspected phishing attempts directly to SARS and check the Known Scams Register on the official SARS website. To report phishing or get more information, send an email to phishing@sars.gov.za or call the anti-fraud and corruption hotline 0800 00 2870.