Filing Season for Individuals

Income Tax return filing dates 

• Auto-assessments: 7 – 20 July 2025
• Filing season opens for non-provisional taxpayers who were not auto-assessed: 21 July – 20 October 2025
• Provisional taxpayers: 21 July – 19 January 2026

See the definition of provisional taxpayers here.

Are your SARS details up to date?

Make sure everything is up to date for a hassle-free filing experience.

This year we will again issue auto-assessments to taxpayers whose tax affairs are less complicated.  If you are in agreement with your auto-assessment, then there is no need to ‘accept’ the assessment. If a refund is due to you, it will automatically be paid into your bank account.

When we start issuing the auto-assessments, you will be able to check your auto-assessment status here but wait for the SMS/email notice before you login to eFiling or MobiApp. 

How does Auto-Assessment work?

This year we will again issue auto-assessments to taxpayers whose tax affairs are less complicated. The first thing to do is to log into eFiling or the SARS MobiApp and view your assessment. You will see all the data we used to calculate your assessment.

If you agree with the assessment, check if a refund is due to you or if you owe SARS. If a refund is due, then there is nothing more you have to do — you can log out and wait for the refund, which you can expect within approximately 72 hours, provided your banking details with SARS are correct. If you owe SARS, then make the payment via eFiling or SARS MobiApp on or before the payment due date. The payment due date of the amount owed to SARS is displayed on the “Notice of Assessment” (ITA34).

If you do not agree with the assessment, you can access your tax return via eFiling or SARS MobiApp, complete the return, and file it on or before the due date.

See all the frequently asked questions on auto-assessments here.

When we start issuing auto-assessments, you will be able to check your auto-assessment status here but wait for the SMS/email notice before you login to eFiling or MobiApp. 

Scams and Phishing awareness

You need to be aware of email and SMS scams. In the run up to Filing Season there will be many attempts from scammers to mimic what we do and try and get your personal details, or to pay money into an account. See the latest scams here. To report or to get more information on phishing, please send an email to [email protected].

See our YouTube videos on how to protect yourself from scammers:

• Protect yourself from Scams and Phishing
• Protect your eFiling login details

No need to call

Taxpayers, your tax matters are in better hands when you make use of eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. Register your profile now to ensure a smooth filing experience.  No need to call us, you can register online or download the MobiApp on your phone or tablet. To make an appointment with SARS is now easier, click here to make an appointment. 

You can send us a query via  SARS Online Query System (SOQS) if you have forgotten your tax reference number, to submit supporting material and more. The SARS Online Query System (SOQS) assists taxpayers who wish to raise queries with SARS without going into a SARS branch. 

Need help?

• Unsure if you need to submit a return? See our helpful online tool Do you need to submit a return?
• The SARS YouTube channel  – watch our helpful tutorial video on the SARS YouTube channel to provide detailed guidance on how to file. 
• If you have no other choice but to visit a SARS branch, ensure that you have booked your appointment before your visit. 
• You may also visit our Mobile Tax Units and pop-ups in the different regions, see the schedule here.
• If you have forgotten your password you can reset it online through the eFiling website by clicking on Forgot Password or Forgot Username.