Get your tax matters in order to ensure a smooth filing experience!
Please adhere to the communication and submit any outstanding returns as soon as possible, to avoid delays in filing your 2020 return, and to ensure a seamless experience this year
Check your tax certificates
Make sure that you have received your IRP5/IT3(a)s and other tax certificates like your medical certificate, retirement annuity fund certificate, and any other 3rd party data that is relevant in determining your tax obligations.
If you have not yet received your tax certificates, immediately approach your employer, medical aid scheme, retirement annuity fund, and/or other 3rd party data providers to make sure that they have complied with their submission requirements.
Forgotten your password?
You can retrieve them from your mobile device using the SARS MobiApp.
New address or contact number?
Update your personal information such as banking details, address and contact details online on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp by clicking on the “SARS registered details” link.
Auto Assessment – we do the filing for you
In August, SARS will assess a significant number of taxpayers automatically.
If you accept the outcome, you do not have to complete a return because they would have done that it for you.
If you are auto-assessed, you will be notified per SMS in August – so there will be no need for you to call them or visit a branch.
The SMS will direct you to eFiling or the SARS MobiApp to either “Accept” or “Edit” the return.
Some taxpayers may receive communication indicating why they will not be auto-assessed, or alerting them to their 2019 return submission findings.
This will assist them to submit the outstanding returns.
Please adhere to the communication and submit any outstanding returns as soon as possible, to avoid delays in filing your 2020 return, and to ensure a seamless experience this year.
If you are not registered for eFiling or you would like to download the SARS MobiApp, watch the helpful tutorial videos on the SARS YouTube channel.
A video on auto assessment is currently in production, and will be available soon on the SARS YouTube channel.
Keep an eye on the website for the release date.
SARS auto-assess based on the data they receive from employers, financial institutions, medical schemes, retirement annuity fund administrators and other 3rd party data providers.
If you accept the results of your auto-assessment and if there is a refund due to you, the refund will be paid by SARS.
If you owe SARS money, you can make a payment on eFiling, via EFT or the SARS MobiApp by the specified due date on your Notice of Assessment.
If I do not get an auto-assessment, when should I file?
• 1 September – 16 November: Taxpayers who file online via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp
• 1 September – 22 October: Taxpayers who cannot file electronically can file at selected SARS branches by appointement only.
• 1 September – 29 January 2021: Provisional taxpayers who file via eFiling.
Digital Channels
eFiling and the SARS MobiApp allow you to interact without having to queue at a SARS branch or call the SARS Contact Centre.
What is Help-You-eFile?
Through Help-You-eFile on SARS eFiling, a SARS agent can help you complete your return if you are struggling.
This is done telephonically while you are logged onto eFiling.
The agent will be able to co-browse and guide you throughout the return submission process.
Don’t hold – SARS will call you back
If you don’t have time to hold the line, click the Help-You-eFile icon and select “Call Me”, or request this service from the MobiApp.
An agent will call you back (only available during office hours).
The SARS Contact Centre (0800 00 7277) is open weekdays between 08:00 and 16:00, and closed on public holidays and over weekends.
SARS branch bookings per appointment
SARS made a concerted effort to automate most of their processes.
This means that you no longer need to visit a SARS Branch to file your return.
If your circumstances are unique and cannot be catered for by the online processes, you may visit selected SARS branches, but only through making an online booking first.
All details are available on the website and you can read the guide.
Beware of scams
SARS will never request your banking or personal details in any correspondence that you receive via post, email or SMS. SARS will not send you hyperlinks to other websites – even those of banks.
