South Africans receiving SARS auto-assessments this tax season are being warned not to simply accept the information without checking
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South Africans receiving SARS auto-assessments this tax season are being warned not to simply accept the information without checking it first.
IOL previously reported that the South African Revenue Service (SARS) had paid out R8 billion in tax refunds within 72 hours of the opening of the 2026 filing season.
"As at the end of July 1, 2026, more than 1.9 million taxpayers were auto-assessed, with about R8 billion in refunds paid out in 72 hours," SARS said.
The tax season officially kicked off on July 1, 2026, with more than 1.9 million taxpayers already auto-assessed.
Auto-assessments are based on information received from employers, banks, medical schemes and retirement fund administrators. This information is used by SARS to pre-populate sections of a taxpayer’s return.
While the automated process is aimed at making filing easier, tax experts have warned that taxpayers remain responsible for ensuring that the information used by SARS is correct.
Financial services company Allan Gray said taxpayers should carefully review their auto-assessments before accepting them.
"If you identify errors in pre‑populated data, you may need to engage with the relevant third‑party provider (such as your employer or fund administrator) to have the information corrected at source. This may delay the finalisation of your return, so it is advisable to review your pre-populated information as early as possible". Lihle Khumalo, tax expert at Allan Gray said.
She added that auto-assessments are designed to simplify the filing process, but they do not remove the taxpayer’s responsibility to ensure that their return is complete and accurate.
"Auto‑assessments are designed to simplify the process, but they don’t absolve you of your responsibility to ensure your return is complete and accurate. A quick review can make the difference between a smooth filing experience and a costly correction later," she added.
"Convenience doesn’t always mean accuracy: It remains your responsibility to review your assessment in detail before accepting."
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