BUSINESS NEWS - The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has urged non-provisional taxpayers with outstanding tax returns to submit them before the 2026 Filing Season closes on Friday, 23 October.

By 30 September, Sars had issued more than 6.9 million auto-assessments, representing a 20% increase on the previous year. The service also extended auto-assessments to certain provisional taxpayers for the first time.

Between 1 July and 19 October 2026, Sars paid refunds totalling more than R33.1 billion to 3 143 675 taxpayers. According to the revenue service, 85% of these refunds were paid within 72 hours.

For the 2026 Filing Season, Sars expanded its use of verified third-party data, increased auto-assessments and improved its eFiling platforms. Taxpayers can also receive assessment notices and submit documents through WhatsApp.

Sars Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu said the expanded use of auto-assessments demonstrated how better use of data could simplify taxpayers’ interactions with the revenue service.

“The speed of processing legitimate refunds is a key measure of effective tax administration,” Makhubu said.

He said Sars’s modernisation programme aimed to encourage voluntary compliance by providing taxpayers with greater clarity and certainty about their tax obligations.

“Tax administration goes beyond collecting what is lawfully due. Paying legitimate refunds efficiently is equally important to support taxpayers in a difficult economic environment and give them certainty,” he said.

“Our modernisation programme aims to improve both collection and refunds while safeguarding the integrity of the tax system.”

Taxpayers face penalties for late submissions

Sars has urged taxpayers with outstanding returns to submit them as soon as possible rather than wait until the deadline.

Returns can be filed through Sars eFiling or the Sars MobiApp before the filing season closes on 23 October.

Late submission of personal income tax returns may result in monthly administrative penalties ranging from R250 to R16 000, depending on taxable income. These penalties may continue until the outstanding return is submitted.

Unpaid tax debt may also attract penalties and interest. Taxpayers who cannot settle their tax debt in full are encouraged to contact Sars promptly to discuss possible payment arrangements.

Makhubu thanked taxpayers who had met their filing obligations and urged those who had not yet submitted their returns to act before the deadline.

“Every compliant taxpayer helps our country function and develop. We thank the millions who have fulfilled their obligations and urge those who still need to file to act now,” he said.

He added that Sars’s digital platforms allowed taxpayers to meet their obligations without having to visit a branch.

Tax-related media enquiries can be sent to [email protected].

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