SARS has started issuing six million auto-assessments from 1 July 2026. Find out if you qualify, key filing deadlines, and what to do if your tax assessment is incorrect.
Tax season is almost here, and for millions of South Africans, it may be the easiest filing season yet.
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) will begin issuing approximately six million auto-assessments from 1 July 2026, making the tax process faster and simpler for eligible taxpayers.
However, not everyone qualifies, so here's everything you need to know before officially filing for the season.
Also read: SARS is coming for influencers in 2026. Here's what content creators need to know
How do SARS auto-assessments work?
If you are selected, SARS will notify you between 1 and 12 July via SMS, email or WhatsApp. Your notification will tell you whether:
- You are owed a tax refund, or
- You owe SARS money.
A new feature for 2026 allows taxpayers to receive their Notice of Assessment (ITA34) through WhatsApp.
You can also check your status using the SARS online query system without waiting for your notification.
Do you need to accept the appraisal?
No, there are no buttons to click and no forms for approval.
If you're happy that the appraisal is accurate, just do nothing. SARS considers this to be your approval, and if you are due a refund, it will usually be paid to your registered bank account within 48 hours.
Who is eligible for SARS Auto-Assessment?
Auto-assessment is designed for taxpayers with straightforward tax matters. You may qualify if you:
- Earn a salary from an employer.
- Deduct PAYE (Pay As You Earn) from your salary.
- There are no significant additional sources of income.
- Tax information has already been submitted to SARS by your employer, Medicare, superannuation fund or financial institution.
SARS uses information it receives from third-party providers to automatically calculate your tax position.
Who will not be automatically assessed?
You will still have to submit a tax return manually if you:
- Are freelance or self-employed.
- run a business.
- Earn rental income.
- Receive significant investment income.
- Are registered as provisional taxpayers.
If your tax matters are more complex, you will need to file your return through SARS eFiling or SARS MobiApp.
Do you need to file at all?
If you earn less than R500,000 per year (about R41,666 per month) from a single employer, your PAYE has been deducted and you have no other sources of income, you usually do not need to lodge a tax return.
Also read: SARS adds WhatsApp feature to make tax deposits easier
Important SARS filing dates for 2026
self assessment
non-provisional taxpayer
- 13 July – 23 October 2026
provisional taxpayer
- 13 July 2026 – 22 January 2027
trust
- 19 September 2026 – 22 January 2027
Check your assessment carefully
Even though you've been self-assessed, don't assume everything is correct.
Review your assessment to make sure it includes:
- rental income.
- Side hustle or freelance income.
- Car allowances.
- Additional medical expenses.
- Retirement annuity contributions.
- Any other deductions or income that is not automatically reported.
If something is missing or incorrect, you can submit the correct ITR12 through e-filing or SARS MobiApp.
The deadline to make corrections for non-provisional taxpayers is October 23, 2026.
East Coast Breakfast New Podcast Banner / ECR Images
How to listen to East Coast Radio
1. Listen to East Coast Radio on FM (frequency modulation) spectrum between 94 and 95 FM on your radio.
2. Listen to ECR live By click here Or Download ECR App (iOS/Android).
3. Listen East Coast Radio on DStv Audio Bouquet
4. Switch to Audio Bouquet on your OpenView decoder and browse to channel 606.
5. Listen to us amazon alexa
Follow us on Social Media:
· tiktok