The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has launched its most ambitious auto-assessment initiative to date, marking a significant shift in how taxpayers engage with the annual filing season. The 2025 rollout includes not only standard taxpayers but also provisional taxpayers and individuals who have made withdrawals under the new two-pot retirement system.
This expansion is part of SARS broader strategy to streamline tax compliance and improve turnaround times. Taxpayers who accept their auto-assessments without changes can expect refunds within 72 hours, a dramatic improvement from previous years.
To support this initiative, SARS has introduced several enhancements to its digital platforms:
- Express Access: A new section on eFiling allows users to quickly view and respond to their auto-assessments.
- Updated Guides: SARS has published comprehensive resources covering provisional tax, income tax returns, and the SARS MobiApp to assist users through the process. Key Filing Dates:
- Auto-assessments: 7 to 20 July 2025
- Manual returns: 21 July, 20 October 2025
-Provisional taxpayers and trusts: Deadline is 19 January 2026
SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter emphasized the importance of digital transformation in improving service delivery. Our goal is to make tax compliance as effortless as possible for honest taxpayers, while ensuring we maintain a robust system to detect and deter non-compliance, he said.
The auto-assessment program is expected to reduce administrative burdens and improve accuracy in tax submissions. SARS encourages taxpayers to review their assessments carefully and use the updated online tools to resolve any discrepancies.
Should you have any queries in this regard please do not hesitate to contact us for professional advice.
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