The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has commenced Filing Season 2026 with the introduction of innovative digital tools aimed at streamlining tax filing and enhancing security measures for taxpayers. As of July 1, 2026, SARS has successfully auto-assessed over 1.9 million taxpayers, resulting in the disbursement of roughly R8 billion in tax refunds within the initial 72 hours. This filing season, the agency anticipates issuing more than six million auto-assessments.
These advancements include improved accuracy in auto-assessments through the use of expanded third-party data. Taxpayers can also benefit from enhanced self-service options via eFiling and the SARS MobiApp. Additional features such as biometric verification, two-factor authentication, AI-powered assistance, and the ability to upload documents through WhatsApp have been introduced. Furthermore, taxpayers will receive tax notices digitally, increasing convenience and efficiency.
SARS is advising those selected for auto-assessment to utilize the official digital platforms for reviewing their assessments, rather than making unnecessary visits to service centers. This approach is intended to help taxpayers navigate the filing process more efficiently and avoid potential delays or complications.
In light of these developments, SARS has issued a warning to the public about the increased risk of phishing scams and fraudulent refund schemes. The agency emphasized that it never requests passwords, one-time pins (OTPs), or banking information through email, SMS, phone calls, or social media, urging taxpayers to remain vigilant and protect their personal information.