The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has opened the 2026 Filing Season, unveiling a suite of digital enhancements aimed at making tax filing more efficient and secure for citizens. Since the launch on July 1, 2026, SARS has already processed auto-assessments for over 1.9 million taxpayers, disbursing around R8 billion in tax refunds within just 72 hours. The agency anticipates issuing more than six million auto-assessments throughout this filing season.
Among the new features introduced are more precise auto-assessments facilitated by expanded third-party data access, as well as improved self-service options through eFiling and the SARS MobiApp. These platforms now offer biometric verification, two-factor authentication, and AI-driven assistance to enhance user experience. Additionally, taxpayers can now upload documents via WhatsApp and receive digital delivery of tax notices, streamlining the entire process.
SARS is encouraging taxpayers selected for auto-assessment to utilize these official digital platforms to review their assessments, rather than visiting service centres in person. This shift is designed to reduce congestion and improve efficiency, allowing individuals to manage their tax affairs from the comfort of their homes.
Furthermore, SARS has issued a caution to the public to remain vigilant against phishing scams and fraudulent refund schemes. The agency emphasized that it never requests sensitive information such as passwords, OTPs, or banking details through email, SMS, phone calls, or social media channels. This advisory is part of a broader effort to protect taxpayers from cyber threats during the filing season.