Issue 66 - September 2025
As the 2025 tax season is nearing its deadlines, staying up to date with the latest tools and deadlines is essential for efficient tax management. In this edition, we introduce the innovative SARS Tax Return Status Dashboard, designed to give taxpayers, representatives, and practitioners real-time insight into the progress of Personal Income Tax returns – eliminating the need for lengthy calls or in-person visits. You’ll also find important information regarding Trust Income Tax updates, including key dates and procedural details to ensure you remain compliant and prepared. Read on for a streamlined overview of these essential topics and make the most of the resources available to you this tax season.
- Real-Time Return Updates via SARS Tax Return Status Dashboard
- Trust Income Tax: 2025 Tax Season Updates
- Updating of Security Contact Details via Facial Biometric Authentication
- Media release: SARS works with Recognised Controlling Bodies to Strengthen Voluntary Compliance
- SARS warns against using non-registered individuals to provide tax services
Real-Time Return Updates via SARS Tax Return Status Dashboard
The SARS Tax Return Status Dashboard makes it easy for taxpayers to track the progress of their Personal Income Tax returns in real time. Thus, there is no need to call the Contact Centre or visit a branch.
Accessible via the SARS Online Query System, eFiling, and the SARS MobiApp, the dashboard provides a visual display of:
- Return submission status
- Verification or audit progress
- Refund processing
- Outstanding supporting documents
Whether it’s a taxpayer, a registered representative, or a practitioner, this tool presents key information in an organised and easily digestible format.
Click here to access the Tax Return Status Dashboard.
Trust Income Tax: 2025 Tax Season Updates
Please find information on the key dates for Trust tax matters:
- 31 August 2025: first provisional tax payment for the 2026 assessment year.
- 20 September 2025: opening date for ITR12T submissions.
- 30 September 2025: deadline for IT3(t) return submissions.
- 30 September 2025: top-up provisional tax payment for the 2025 assessment year.
- 19 January 2026: final deadline for provisional and non-provisional Trust Tax Return (ITR12T) submissions.
- 28 February 2026: second provisional tax payment for the 2026 assessment year.
For more information, go to:Â Trusts
Updating of Security Contact Details via Facial Biometric Authentication
Taxpayers can now update their security contact details using the link from the SARS website homepage www.sars.gov.za. When a request is made to update these details from the pre-login option, the facial biometric authentication feature is activated to verify the user’s identity. This ensures that updates are securely authorised and applied to the correct eFiler. In addition, this new quick link will help taxpayers who have challenges with receiving an OTP.
Direct link:Â Update contact Details.
This is where you can locate the link on the SARS website homepage:
For more information, go to: Maintain personal details on eFiling vs Branch.
Beware of the latest scam!
The latest scam is an email prompting the recipient to click on a document to view it. The email subject line is ‘Administrative Penalty Charges’. Please do not click on the link as it links to a phishing website asking for your personal details.
If in doubt, look at our Scams webpage with the latest examples and what to do when you receive a suspicious email.
Media release: SARS works with Recognised Controlling Bodies to Strengthen Voluntary Compliance
In pursuing SARS’s strategic objective to work with and through stakeholders to improve the tax ecosystem, Commissioner Kieswetter and his team held a consultative meeting with the Recognised Controlling Bodies. SARS sees this engagement crucial to its higher Purpose: to help build a capable state and uplift South Africans.Â
For the media release, click here: Media release: SARS works with the Tax Practitioners segment to strengthen voluntary compliance | South African Revenue Service.
SARS warns against using non- registered individuals to provide tax services
SARS advises taxpayers to only use registered tax practitioners. Always confirm a practitioner’s registration by checking their PR number.Â
To confirm a practitioner’s registration, click here: Tax Practitioner Registration Status.
Reminder
Employer Interim Reconciliation opening soon
Employers, in both the private and public sectors, must reconcile their declarations for the first six months of the reconciliation year (1 March to 31 August) and submit their Employer Reconciliation Declaration (EMP501) via eFiling or e@syFileâ„¢ Employer. Submissions for Interim Employer Reconciliations will open 22 September until 31 October.
Income Tax return filing dates
The deadline for non-provisional taxpayers who were not auto assessed is 20 October 2025. Provisional taxpayers must file by 19 January 2026.Â
For assistance view our easy, step-by-step videos.
