Taxpayers in South Africa warned to check their banking details before next week
With Tax Season 2026 officially launching next week, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has urged taxpayers to make sure their banking and contact details are up to date.
Taxpayers will officially start receiving notices of auto-assessments starting Wednesday, 1 July 2026, marking the start of the 2026 tax season.
Auto-assessments will roll out over two weeks, ending on 12 July, with manual filing open from 13 July to 23 October.
SARS commissioner Johnstone Makhubu noted earlier this month that the revenue service is expecting to issue in excess of 6 million auto assessments in 2026.
He added that the system is expected to build on efficiencies in previous years and continue to pay out tax refunds to taxpayers within 72 hours if the assessment is accepted.
However, for the process to be as simple and as stress-free as possible, taxpayers need to ensure that all their details, including banking details, are up to date.
SARS noted that if a refund is due, it will automatically be paid into the registered bank account.
If these banking details are incorrect at the time of the auto-assessment, refunds due will not be processed successfully, and taxpayers will have to contact SARS.
Auto-assessed taxpayers will be notified of the assessment by SARS via SMS or email between 1 and 12 July 2026, indicating whether a tax refund is due or if money is owed to SARS.
These taxpayers must then log into SARS eFiling or the MobiApp to check and confirm that all information is correct.
If the information is correct, no further action is required. If the information is not correct, they must immediately review all details and submit any missing information.
Taxpayers can check their auto-assessment status via SARS’ Online Query System (SOQS).
However, SARS stressed that taxpayers should wait for their SMS/email between 1 and 12 July 2026 to confirm they are being auto-assessed before checking their status.
Tax season 2026 dates
| Income Taxpayer | Open | Close |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Assessments | 1 July 2026 | 12 July 2026 |
| Individual | 13 July 2026 | 23 October 2026 |
| Provisional | 13 July 2026 | 22 January 2027 |
| Trusts | 13 July 2026 | 22 January 2027 |
Auto assessment process
| 1 | Auto assessments roll out from 1 July 2026 to 12 July 2026 |
| 2 | SARS notifies taxpayer of an auto assessment via SMS or email |
| 3 | Taxpayer checks ITA34 Notice of Assessment on SARS eFiling, MobiApp or via WhatsApp |
| 4 | If correct, the taxpayer doesn’t need to do anything else. If not correct, the taxpayer must immediately review all details and submit any missing information via eFiling or the MobiApp |
| 5 | Auto-assessment status can be checked via SARS’ Online Query System |
| 6 | Tax refund should be paid within 72 hours / Tax debt must be paid by the indicated deadline |
| 7 | Taxpayer has until 23 October to request a reduced or additional assessment |
Avoid scams and penalties
Ensuring details are up to date isn’t only beneficial for getting tax returns paid quicker, but also so that taxpayers can avoid possible penalties or falling for scams.
SARS discontinued the printing and posting of physical letters in 2025 and moved entirely to digital correspondence.
SARS generates various letters, including notices of tax assessments, as well as time-sensitive information such as:
- Audit notifications and verification requests
- Final demands or payment reminders
- Requests for supporting documentation
- Assessment adjustments or penalty notices
- Dispute or objection outcomes
Missing the deadlines issued in these notices could result in penalties in cases of enforcement notices, or other consequences, such as being flagged as non-compliant, which could impact future filings.
To mitigate these risks, taxpayers should ensure that they have the following details up to date:
- An active and accessible email address linked to their SARS profile
- Updated mobile numbers for notifications
- Correct details of the registered representative for entities
- Regular access to your SARS eFiling account or MobiApp
Tax season is also prime scam season, with criminals and fraudsters increasing activity to take advantage of taxpayers who are on the lookout for SARS communication.
Phishing scams involving false notices and spoofing SARS emails are extremely common, with many prompting taxpayers to update their banking details to process payments via links.
SARS said it will never request banking details in any communication that taxpayers receive via email, or SMS.
It added that it will also not send taxpayers to any hyperlinks to other websites—even those of banks.
All communication should be confirmed, and all payments made, through SARS eFiling or the MobiApp.
To avoid falling for scams, taxpayers should address any doubts and double-check their banking and contact details before the season begins.
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