Every winter, South Africa's tax season swings into action. For the 2026 filing season, SARS opens its doors in early July, and for most salaried workers the process is now largely automatic. Millions of taxpayers will receive an auto-assessment — a tax calculation that SARS has done on your behalf using the information it already holds.
This sounds convenient, and often it is. But an auto-assessment is only as accurate as the data SARS receives. If something is missing, you could miss out on a refund or, worse, end up owing money you did not expect. This guide walks you through how the system works and how to make sure your return is correct.
What Is an Auto-Assessment?
An auto-assessment is a draft tax return that SARS fills in for you. It pulls together third-party data, such as:
- Your IRP5 from your employer, showing your salary and the PAYE tax already deducted.
- Interest certificates from your bank.
- Medical aid contribution certificates.
- Retirement annuity contribution data.
SARS uses this information to calculate whether you are owed a refund or owe more tax. If you are selected for auto-assessment, you will get an SMS or email telling you the outcome. You can then view the assessment on the SARS eFiling website or the SARS MobiApp.
Should You Just Accept It?
If the auto-assessment includes everything and you have no extra income or deductions to declare, you can simply accept it. If a refund is due, SARS usually pays it into your bank account within 72 hours, provided your banking details are correct and verified.
But you should not accept it blindly. SARS only knows what third parties report to it. It does not automatically know about:
- Rental income from a property you let out.
- Income from freelancing or a side business.
- Out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by your medical aid.
- Donations to registered charities.
- Home office expenses if you work from home.
If any of these apply to you, the auto-assessment is probably incomplete, and you must edit and file your own return.
How to Check the Numbers Yourself
Before you accept anything, it pays to do your own rough calculation. Work out what your tax should be based on your salary and known deductions, then compare it with the SARS figure. If the two are close, the assessment is likely fine. If they are far apart, dig deeper.
Our salary calculator shows your expected tax on your earnings for the 2026/27 year. If you claim medical aid, our medical tax credits calculator helps you confirm the credit you are due. And if you contribute to a retirement fund, the retirement fund calculator shows the deduction you should be getting.
Filing Your Own Return
If the auto-assessment is wrong or incomplete, you can reject it and submit a full return through eFiling. Here is the basic process:
- Log in to SARS eFiling or open the MobiApp.
- Open your Income Tax Return (the ITR12 form).
- Check that the pre-filled IRP5 and other data are correct.
- Add any income SARS does not know about, such as rental or freelance income.
- Add your extra deductions, like out-of-pocket medical costs or donations.
- Submit and wait for your new assessment.
Keep every supporting document — IRP5s, medical certificates, logbooks, and receipts — for at least five years. SARS can ask for proof at any time, and a return without backup is a return you cannot defend.
Important Deadlines
Missing a deadline is one of the easiest ways to land an admin penalty, which can be charged every month a return is late. For the 2026 season, the key dates to watch are:
- Auto-assessment notices go out from early July.
- Non-provisional taxpayers (most salaried workers) usually have until around mid-to-late October to file.
- Provisional taxpayers — including freelancers and landlords — generally have until January of the following year.
Always confirm the exact dates on the SARS website, as they are published each year. If you run a side business and pay provisional tax, our estimated tax calculator helps you keep your provisional payments on track so your final return holds no surprises.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A few simple errors trip up thousands of taxpayers every year:
- Outdated banking details: A refund cannot be paid into a closed or wrong account. Update your details before filing.
- Forgetting side income: SARS data-matches more every year. Undeclared income can lead to penalties.
- Missing deductions: Many people accept the auto-assessment and lose out on a bigger refund they were entitled to.
- Leaving it to the last day: The eFiling system gets busy near deadlines. File early.
The Bottom Line
Auto-assessments make tax season faster for millions of South Africans, but they are a starting point, not the final word. Always check the numbers, add anything SARS does not know about, and claim every deduction you are entitled to.
Run your figures through our salary calculator and medical tax credits calculator before you accept anything. A few minutes of checking could mean a larger refund — or save you from an unexpected bill down the line.