Tax filing season: what you should do

Tax filing season opens on 7 July and runs until 20 October. What does this mean for you?

If you receive a taxable income – whether you earn a monthly salary, commission or fees – you must be tax-compliant.

The South African Revenue Service (Sars) automatically assesses some taxpayers’ income tax returns. If you are among those, you will receive a notification from Sars between 7 and 20 July, and will not have to file a tax return.

You can use the Sars MobiApp or eFiling to verify your auto-assessment and make sure all your information is accurate. If you’re happy with it, you don’t have to do anything further, but if you do not agree with the assessment, you must submit a tax return in the normal way.

If you do not receive an auto-assessment notification, you are required to file a tax return before 20 October.

If there have been any changes to your address, contact or banking details, or if your job, salary, allowance, benefits or conditions of employment have changed in the past year, it is important to update your information with Sars.

Make sure you are registered on eFiling to submit your income tax online, or download the Sars MobiApp. No need to visit a branch!

If you need personal assistance from a Sars official at you local branch, you will need to book an appointment to avoid long queues.

For more information, visit www.sars.gov.za and click on the ‘Individuals’ tab, or WhatsApp ‘Hi’ to 0800 117 277.

Income tax filing dates

Auto-assessments: 7 to 20 July 2025

Filing season for non-provisional taxpayers who were not auto-assessed: 21 July to 20 October 2025

Provisional taxpayers: 21 July 2025 to 19 January 2026 (visit the Sars website for more info on provisional taxpayers)

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