The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has commenced the 2026 tax filing season by rolling out innovative digital tools aimed at making the tax filing process more straightforward and secure for taxpayers. Since the start on July 1, 2026, SARS has auto-assessed over 1.9 million taxpayers and disbursed roughly R8 billion in tax refunds within the first three days. The agency projects that more than six million auto-assessments will be completed by the end of this filing period.
Among the new features introduced are enhancements that leverage expanded third-party data to produce more accurate auto-assessments. Improvements in self-service capabilities through eFiling and the SARS MobiApp have been made, alongside the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as biometric verification and two-factor authentication. Additionally, taxpayers can now benefit from AI-powered assistance, upload documents via WhatsApp, and receive tax notices digitally.
SARS has emphasized the convenience of digital platforms for taxpayers selected for auto-assessment, advising them to check their assessments online rather than visiting service centers unnecessarily. This move is part of the agency’s effort to streamline processes and reduce physical interactions, thereby enhancing efficiency and security.
Moreover, SARS has issued a caution to the public to remain vigilant against phishing scams and fraudulent refund schemes. Taxpayers are reminded that SARS will never request personal information such as passwords, OTPs, or banking details through email, SMS, phone calls, or social media. This advisory is part of an ongoing effort to protect taxpayers from potential cyber threats and ensure the integrity of the tax filing process.