SARS self-assesses 1.9 million taxpayers, pays R8b in refunds

As the 2026 tax filing season begins, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced a series of digital tools to improve the taxpayer experience, with millions of South Africans being automatically assessed.

In a statement released on July 2, SARS said the enhancements are designed to make tax compliance simpler, faster and more secure for millions of taxpayers.

“By the end of July 1, 2026, more than 1.9 million taxpayers had been self-assessed, with approximately R8b of refunds paid in 72 hours.

“The reforms are part of SARS's commitment to excellent service and vision to create a smart, modern SARS with unquestionable integrity. SARS aims to deliver clarity and certainty and make it easier for taxpayers to comply with their obligations,” the Revenue Collector said.

SARS said the enhancements are aimed at “creating a seamless end-to-end filing experience that covers every step of the taxpayer journey”.

“The reforms are expected to reduce administrative burden, reduce turnaround time and improve taxpayer satisfaction.

“SARS expects more than six million taxpayers to receive auto assessments this year. By using information from employers, banks, medical plans, superannuation funds and other third-party providers, SARS can pre-populate returns and significantly reduce the amount of information taxpayers need to do themselves.

“Taxpayers selected for auto assessment between July 1 and 12 should not visit SARS service centres. Instead, they should wait for official SARS communication and review their assessments through eFiling, SARS MobiApp or other authorized digital channels,” the Revenue Service said.

Major enhancements introduced include:

• More accurate auto assessment powered by expanded third-party data sources.

• Digital self-service capabilities expanded through e-filing, SARS MobiApp and SARS Online Query System.

• Enhanced profile security through biometric authentication, two-factor authentication, and device-level security controls.

• Extended support through Lavazy AI Virtual Assistant.

• Ability to upload supporting documents via WhatsApp.

• Delivery of assessment notices and account statements through WhatsApp and other digital channels.

• Better integration of taxpayer information and increased pre-population of returns.

SARS has created the necessary capacity to cater to the increased number of taxpayers interacting with it through various channels.

“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,” said SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu.

The Commissioner warned that although security systems have been strengthened, taxpayers should remain vigilant against scams and criminality.

“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.

“Filing Season 2026 shows that SARS is making progress in modernizing tax administration and improving the taxpayer experience.

“Through innovative solutions like advanced auto assessment, robust digital platforms, enhanced security, expanded self-service channels and WhatsApp functionality, we are making compliance easier than ever,” Makhubu said.