Visit the national COVID-19 Online Resource and News Portal at www.sacoronavirus.co.za or see SARS COVID-19 news items and tax relief measures here.

Home » Types of Tax » Personal Income Tax » Tax Season

Tax Season

Filing Season 2021 for Individuals

Individual income tax return filing dates

1 July to 23 November 2021:
- Taxpayers who file online
- Taxpayers who cannot file online can do so at a SARS branch by appointment only.
1 July to 31 January 2022: Provisional taxpayers including Trusts may file via eFiling or SARS MobiApp.

Individual filing opening

Taxpayers, your turn to file your tax return starts on 1 July this year. The good news is that a significant number of individual taxpayers will be auto-assessed again this year, and this process will start in July. No need to call us, we will send you an SMS if you are selected to be auto-assessed. If you accept your auto-assessment, any under or overpayment of tax will be processed as normal. If you want to edit your return, you can file your return on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. See our leaflet on how to prepare for the 2021 Filing Season.

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.

We have made it easier for you

Taxpayers, your tax matters, we continue to make it easier for you to comply. Starting July, we will be assessing a significant number of taxpayers automatically. If you accept the outcome you do not have to file a tax return at all. We auto-assess based on the data we receive from employers, financial institutions, medical schemes, retirement annuity fund administrators and other 3rd party data providers. If you have not yet received your IRP5/IT3(a)s and other tax certificates like medical certificate, retirement annuity fund certificate and other 3rd party data that are relevant in determining your tax obligations, you should immediately approach your employer or medical scheme or retirement annuity fund or other 3rd party data providers to make sure that they have complied with their submission requirements.

Starting July you can view the auto-assessment by:

Logging on to eFiling
Logging on to the SARS MobiApp
Booking an appointment with a SARS branch for assistance.

See more info on Auto Assessment.

What to prepare before filing starts

Now is a good time to get your tax matters ready to ensure a smooth filing experience! Make sure that you have received your IRP5/IT3(a)s and other tax certificates like medical certificate, retirement annuity fund certificate and any other 3rd party data that are relevant in determining your tax obligations. Reset your eFiling username and password if you have forgotten them. Update your personal information such as banking details, address and contact details online on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.

See the prototype/example ITR12 form – coming soon.

Making it easy for taxpayers

Through the increased use of third-party data, SARS will be completing your tax return for you more accurately than ever. Where we have the required information, we will provide you with a proposed assessment without the need to file a tax return. This enables you to view, accept or edit your proposed assessment from the comfort of your home or place of work using eFiling or SARS MobiApp.

Auto registration for Personal Income Tax:

When you register for SARS eFiling for the first time and you do not yet have a personal income tax number, SARS will automatically register you and issue a tax reference number. Note that you must have a valid South African. Read more.

Need help?

Our online service Help you eFile is available. The SARS YouTube channel as well as this website provide detailed guidance on how to file. If you have no other choice but to visit a SARS branch by appointment to assist you to file, you can do so until 23 November 2021.
If you have forgotten your password you can reset it by calling our SARS Contact Centre and following a simple procedure. See our simple self-service process.
Not sure whether you must submit an Income Tax Return (ITR12)? Answer the simple questions on our Do you need to submit a return webpage.
If you are not sure whether you meet the requirements to claim home office expenses complete our easy questionnaire. For more information click here.
If you need help to submit your Personal Income Tax Return, watch our helpful tutorial video on the SARS YouTube channel by clicking on the image below.

To see all current SARS surveys, emails and SMSs, click here.

21/06/2021
12:54

Tax Season

Filing Season 2021 for Individuals

Individual income tax return filing dates

Individual filing opening

No need to call

We have made it easier for you

What to prepare before filing starts

Making it easy for taxpayers

Auto registration for Personal Income Tax:

Need help?

Related Documents

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ: Why must I register for Income Tax?

FAQ: What is remuneration for tax purposes?

FAQ: What is the foreign tax credit limit for individuals?

FAQ: What are penalties for not submitting my income tax return?

FAQ: Can a registration for income tax be backdated?

Table of Contents