The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has kicked off the 2026 Filing Season with the introduction of advanced digital tools aimed at streamlining the tax filing process and boosting security for taxpayers. Starting from July 1, 2026, SARS successfully auto-assessed over 1.9 million taxpayers, disbursing around R8 billion in tax refunds within just 72 hours. As the filing season progresses, the agency anticipates issuing more than six million auto-assessments, reflecting a significant step in tax administration efficiency.
Among the new enhancements, SARS has implemented more precise auto-assessments through expanded third-party data integration. This season also sees improved self-service capabilities via eFiling and the SARS MobiApp. Security measures have been bolstered with the introduction of biometric verification and two-factor authentication, while AI-powered assistance is set to enhance user experience. Furthermore, taxpayers can now upload documents through WhatsApp, and tax notices will be delivered digitally, marking a substantial leap towards a paperless system.
SARS is encouraging those selected for auto-assessment to utilize these digital platforms to review their assessments, thereby reducing unnecessary visits to service centers. The agency’s push towards digital solutions aims to make tax processes more accessible and efficient for the general public, aligning with global trends in digital transformation within government services.
In addition to these developments, SARS has issued a caution to the public about the prevalence of phishing scams and fraudulent refund schemes. Taxpayers are reminded that SARS will never request sensitive information such as passwords, one-time passwords (OTPs), or banking credentials through email, SMS, phone calls, or social media. This warning is part of ongoing efforts to protect taxpayers from potential cyber threats and fraudulent activities.