SARS announces start of 2026 tax filing season

South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu has confirmed that the 2026 tax filing season will get underway on 1 July with the commencement of the Auto Assessment period.

The Auto Assessment process will run from 1 to 12 July 2026 and is aimed at taxpayers with relatively simple tax affairs whose information has already been submitted to SARS by employers and other third-party institutions.

“While today’s launch marks the continuation of the filing season communication campaign, filing season does not open to everyone at the same time,” Makhubu said during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.

Following the Auto Assessment phase, the general filing season for taxpayers required to submit returns will run from 13 July until 23 October 2026. Provisional taxpayers will have until 22 January 2027 to complete their submissions.

Makhubu said the staggered approach is intended to ease pressure on SARS service channels and provide taxpayers with greater certainty regarding when they need to take action.

“Taxpayers are urged not to come to SARS’s Service Centres during the Auto Assessment period. This year, SARS expects to issue approximately six million Auto Assessments during this period,” he said.

The Commissioner encouraged taxpayers to conduct a pre-filing season review of their personal and tax information to avoid unnecessary delays.

“Our point of departure this year is our recognition that behind every tax number is a person trying to get it right while managing the pressures of daily life. With that in mind, SARS encourages taxpayers to do a pre-Filing Season health check by confirming that their personal details, banking particulars, contact information, and tax affairs are up to date,” Makhubu said.

He cautioned that issues such as outdated banking details, missing third-party information, or outstanding returns from previous years could delay the assessment process.

“By resolving these matters early through SARS’s digital channels, taxpayers place themselves in the best position for a seamless Filing Season experience.

“If you are chosen for Auto Assessment, like millions of other taxpayers, wait for a notification from SARS to see if you are part of that population. By using third-party data, SARS can reconcile and automatically assess these taxpayers,” he said.

Taxpayers who receive notifications confirming they have been auto-assessed are advised not to visit SARS offices unless necessary.

“If they are satisfied that the information reflected is complete and correct, they do not need to do anything tax just happens for them. SARS will process the outcome accordingly, and if a refund is due and all details are in order, it will be issued within 72 hours.

"This is the convenience SARS is building into the tax system, with fewer forms, less manual intervention, and a more seamless experience for compliant taxpayers whose information is already available to SARS,” Makhubu explained.

To accommodate increased demand during filing season, SARS has strengthened its systems and introduced a virtual waiting room on eFiling and the SARS MobiApp to manage high traffic volumes. Users may be placed in a temporary queue if too many people access the platforms at the same time.

SARS Contact Centres and Service Centres will continue operating during normal weekday hours from 08:00 to 16:00.

“There is no need for taxpayers to take a day off work or take a taxi to visit a SARS Service Centre. Taxpayers are encouraged to use enhanced digital channels first before considering a visit to a SARS Service Centre,” Makhubu said.

For those who need in-person assistance, appointments can be booked online, by calling the SARS contact centre, or via SMS.

Makhubu reiterated that paying tax remains both a legal responsibility and an important civic duty that supports the delivery of public services and infrastructure across the country.

“We understand that Filing Season involves more than just deadlines and forms; it is about creating certainty, reducing unnecessary effort, and assisting taxpayers in complying in a manner that is easier, faster, and more seamless.

“SARS last year paid more than R35 billion during Filing Season. If there is a refund, it will be paid within 72 hours if all is in order. I wish to urge taxpayers to be truthful in their declaration,” he said.