Latest news with #sars.gov.za
The South African
18-07-2025
- Business
- The South African
SARS refunds R10.6 billion to 5.8 million auto assessed SA tax payers
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has hailed a significant milestone in its digital transformation drive, confirming that 5.8 million taxpayers were issued auto assessments this year – an increase from 5 million in 2024. According to SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter, 99.6% of these assessments remained unchanged by taxpayers, underscoring the growing accuracy and public trust in the automated system. So far, R10.6 billion in refunds have been paid to qualifying taxpayers – within 72 hours of assessment. That's an average refund of R1 828. 'Auto assessment has truly been a game changer,' Kieswetter said. 'We are delivering faster, more efficient services that remove the need for in-person visits, making it easier for taxpayers to comply.' SARS auto assessment is a system where SARS pre-fills tax returns using third-party data, such as salary, medical aid, and retirement contributions. For most taxpayers, no action is required, unless they need to add missing information via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. The auto assessment period ran from 7 to 20 July 2025, ahead of the manual filing season opening on 21 July. SARS also reported a dramatic increase in the use of digital platforms: 10.2 million unique logins to SARS platforms since 4 July 2.1 million digital queries processed 1.1 million handled via the SARS Online Query System (SOQS) 707 000 via WhatsApp 290 000 through the Lwazi Chat Bot 'Ultimately, our aim is to make the best service to be no service at all,' Kieswetter said, reiterating SARS's vision to make tax compliance seamless and digital-first. Auto-assessments : 7–20 July 2025 : 7–20 July 2025 Individual Taxpayers : 21 July – 20 October 2025 : 21 July – 20 October 2025 Provisional Taxpayers and Trusts: 21 July 2025 – 19 January 2026 Most online submissions now receive an assessment outcome in under 5 seconds, supported by AI-driven risk detection tools that help block fraudulent or impermissible refunds. With the growing use of online services, SARS is also warning taxpayers to remain alert for scams. They stressed that SARS will never send clickable links via email or SMS. Phishing attempts should be reported to phishing@ SARS reminded those who owe tax to make payment arrangements promptly to avoid penalties and interest. Only refunds over R100 will be automatically paid into taxpayer accounts. As the 2025 filing season officially begins, SARS is encouraging all taxpayers to use digital channels rather than visiting physical service centres. 'There is no need to queue. Use our digital tools to get assessed and stay compliant,' Kieswetter concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
What to do after receiving your SARS auto-assessment notice
Tax season has officially started, and many South Africans have already received their auto-assessment notices Image: Supplied Tax season has officially commenced, and many South Africans have already received their auto-assessment notices from the South African Revenue Service (SARS). If you've received one by SMS or email, here's what you need to know and do. According to the revenue service, "this season marks an important period in which the income tax returns of most taxpayers will be automatically assessed." What is auto assessment? SARS uses information from employers, banks, pension funds, and medical aids to fill in your tax return automatically. According to the revenue collector, if everything looks correct, you don't need to submit anything. What to do if you're auto-assessed 1. Review your return Visit log in to eFiling, the MobiApp, or use the SARS Online Query System. 'Upon receiving your notice of assessment, you may review the details through various channels, including e-filing, the SARS online query system and the SARS Mobi app.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 2. Happy with it? If everything looks correct, you don't need to do anything further. SARS will finalise your return. 3. Need to fix something? If anything is missing or incorrect, you must log in and submit your own return before the deadline. 'If your assessment is incorrect or the information is incomplete, log in to your e-filing profile or use your SARS Mobi app to update and submit the tax return". What about refunds or payments? If you're owed money, SARS says it will "process your refund within 72 hours, provided your bank details are valid and you are tax compliant.' However, if you owe SARS, ensure that you pay by the deadline indicated on your notice. 'If you owe SARS money, you must make a payment before the due date shown on the notice of assessment.' The revenue service added that "if you have previous outstanding amounts, with no payment arrangements, the refund will first be utilised to settle your outstanding debt.' IOL News Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
