Tax Ombud urges early preparation as 2026 tax season approaches

Spokesperson Russell Mamabolo said preparation is the most important factor in ensuring a smooth filing process.

For individual taxpayers, the 2026 tax filing season will officially open on July 13 for non-provisional taxpayers who have not been self-assessed.

Mamabolo has encouraged taxpayers to update their personal and financial details, including contact information and banking details, on the e-filing system in advance.

He also stressed the importance of ensuring that key documents such as IRP5 certificate, medical aid records and retirement annuity statements are ready before filing.

Taxpayers should also check for any outstanding debts with the South African Revenue Service.

“Many people procrastinate and submit too late, and you find the system is clogged, resulting in late submissions and unnecessary errors,” Mamabolo explains.

According to Mamabolo, one of the biggest challenges taxpayers face is failing to manage their e-filing profiles properly.

He said many people do not update their contact details or engage in communications from SARS, which often leads to delays in processing returns and refunds.

Mamabolo also reminded taxpayers that they have rights when dealing with SARS, including the right to access information, dispute assessment and request clarification where necessary.

She said taxpayers should feel confident in challenging decisions they believe to be wrong and seeking support where they experience unfair treatment or lack of assistance.

“You have the right to dispute SARS decisions… you can make proposals and you must not ignore SARS communications,” he said.

Mamabolo warned that submitting returns at the last minute could clog the system, incur penalties and create unnecessary financial stress, adding that the goal is to ensure fairness, protect taxpayers' rights and resolve disputes efficiently, so that the tax season remains manageable when approached with proper preparation.

Read also