In support of the Presidents call to the Covid-19 pandemic, that Social Distancing be observed at all times and that we should at most stay indoors and limit movement, SARS is responding by rapidly enhancing its efforts to further simplify the tax return filing requirements for individual taxpayers and removing the need to travel to our Branches in 2020. Through the increased use of third-party data, SARS will be completing your tax return for you more accurately than ever. Where we have the required information we will provide you with a proposed assessment without the need to file a tax return. This enables you to view, accept or edit your proposed assessment from the comfort of your home or place of work using eFiling or SARS MobiApp.
Individual income tax return filing dates
- 1 September to 16 November 2020: Taxpayers who file online
- 1 September to 22 October 2020: Taxpayers who cannot file electronically can do so at a SARS branch by appointment
- 1 September 2020to 31 January 2021: Provisional taxpayers who fileelectronically.
Individual filing opening
Taxpayers, your turn to file your tax return starts on 1 September this year. The good news is that a significant number of individual taxpayers will be auto-assessed this year, and this process will happen in August. No need to call us, we will send you an SMS if you are selected to be auto-assessed. If you accept your auto-assessment, any under or overpayment of tax will be processed as normal. If you want to edit your return, you can file your return on eFilingfrom 1 September.
No need to call
Taxpayers, your tax matters are in better hands when you make use of eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.Register your profile now to ensure a smooth filing experience. No need to call us, you canregister online or download the MobiApp on your phone or tablet.
We will do the filingfor you
Taxpayers, your tax matters, we continue to make it easier for you to comply. In August, we will be assessing a significant number of taxpayers automatically. If you accept the outcome you do not have to file a tax return at all. We auto-assess based on the data we receive from employers, financial institutions, medical schemes, retirement annuity fund administrators and other 3rd party data providers. If you have not yet received your IRP5/IT3(a)s and other tax certificates like medical certificate, retirement annuity fund certificate and other 3rd party data that are relevant in determiningyour tax obligations, you should immediately approach your employer or medical scheme or retirement annuity fund or other 3rd party data providers to make sure that they have complied with their submission requirements.
What to prepare before filing starts
Now is a good time to get your tax matters ready to ensure a smooth filing experience! Make sure that you have received your IRP5/IT3(a)s and other tax certificates like medical certificate, retirement annuity fund certificate and any other 3rd party data that are relevant in determining your tax obligations. Reset your eFiling username and password if you have forgotten them. Update your personal information such as banking details, address and contact details online on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.
Making it easy for taxpayers
Through the increased use of third-party data, SARS will be completing your tax return for you more accurately than ever. Where we have the required information, we will provide you with a proposed assessment without the need to file a tax return. This enables you to view, accept or edit your proposed assessment from the comfort of your home or place of work using eFiling or SARS MobiApp.
