SARS Auto Assessments in South Africa: What You Need to Know This Tax Season

Tax season in South Africa can feel overwhelming, especially if you're unsure about the latest updates from SARS. One of the most important developments in recent years is the SARS Auto Assessment process. If you're a salaried employee or receive simple income streams, there’s a good chance SARS has already assessed your tax return for you — automatically.

So, what does this mean for you? Let’s unpack everything you need to know about SARS Auto Assessments in a friendly, straightforward way.

SARS Auto Assessments: What You Need to Know

💡 What is a SARS Auto Assessment?

A SARS Auto Assessment is when the South African Revenue Service automatically assesses your personal income tax return using the data it receives from third parties. These third parties include:

1. Employers (via IRP5/IT3a)
2. Banks (interest income)
3. Medical aid schemes
4. Retirement annuity fund administrators
5. Investment platforms (capital gains, dividends, etc.)

Instead of you manually submitting a tax return, SARS uses this pre-populated data to calculate your tax liability — or refund — and sends you a notification via SMS, email, or on your SARS eFiling profile.

🕒 When Do Auto Assessments Happen?

SARS typically starts issuing auto assessments at the beginning of tax season, around early July. You’ll get a message saying that your return has been auto-assessed and that you can log into eFiling or the SARS MobiApp to view it.

Tax season for individual taxpayers usually runs from July to October, so if you're eligible for auto assessment, you’ll be among the first to be processed.

🔍 What Should You Do if You Receive an Auto Assessment?

Here’s what you should do step-by-step:

Log into your SARS eFiling profile or the SARS MobiApp.

Review your assessment. Check if all the information is correct:

• Your salary or other income details
• Medical aid contributions
• Retirement annuity fund payments
• Donations or expenses (if applicable)

If everything looks good — you don’t have to file a return. SARS considers your auto assessment as final.

If you notice missing or incorrect information, you must file a correction by submitting your own tax return within 40 business days of the auto assessment date.

🤔 Should You Just Accept the Auto Assessment?

Not always! While it may seem convenient, it’s important to double-check your data. Auto assessments don’t always capture:

• Home office expenses
• Travel claims (especially if you receive a travel allowance)
• Additional medical expenses not submitted by your medical aid
• Donations to registered public benefit organisations (PBOs)
• Income from side hustles or freelance work

If you leave these out, you might miss out on a potential refund or underreport your income — which could lead to penalties.

🧾 What If You’re Owed a Refund?

If SARS owes you money after the auto assessment, the refund will be paid directly into your registered bank account — usually within 7–21 business days. Just make sure your banking details are up to date on eFiling to avoid delays.

🚩 What If You Disagree with the Auto Assessment?

You have two main options:

File a corrected tax return within 40 business days.

1. If SARS rejects your changes and issues an additional assessment, you can then lodge an objection — but only if you submitted your return on time.
2. Ignoring the assessment or waiting too long could cost you, so act quickly if you disagree with the figures.

✅ Who Typically Gets Auto-Assessed?

SARS usually auto-assesses individuals who:

1. Earn a regular salary from one employer
2. Don’t have multiple income sources or complex deductions
3. Have third-party data that matches what's needed to calculate taxes

If you’re self-employed, a freelancer, or have multiple streams of income, you’ll likely still need to file a manual return.

📲 How Will You Know You've Been Auto-Assessed?

SARS will notify you through:

1. SMS
2. Email

A prompt on your eFiling profile or MobiApp

If you haven’t received anything, you’re probably expected to file manually.

🚨 Important SARS Auto Assessment Deadlines (2025 Tax Season)

1. Auto Assessments begin: Early July
2. Manual filing deadline (non-provisional taxpayers): Usually end of October
3. Correction deadline: 40 business days from your assessment date

Always check the SARS website or eFiling portal for the latest confirmed deadlines.

🧠 In Conclusion

SARS Auto Assessments are designed to make tax season simpler, but they still require your attention. Think of it as a helpful draft — not a final verdict. You know your finances better than anyone else, so review your assessment carefully before you accept it.

By staying informed and proactive, you can avoid penalties, claim every cent you’re entitled to, and ensure your tax affairs are in tip-top shape.