Overview
- SARS published the 2026 filing calendar with auto‑assessments to be issued from 1 to 12 July 2026, non‑provisional taxpayers required to file between 13 July and 23 October 2026, and provisional taxpayers and trusts given until 22 January 2027.
- Selected taxpayers will get auto‑assessment notifications by SMS or email during the 1–12 July window and SARS warns filers to review those prefilled returns rather than accept them automatically.
- Taxpayers can now receive their Notice of Assessment and Statement of Account on WhatsApp and may upload supporting documents through the app to speed verification and reduce branch visits.
- SARS has redesigned the ITR12 and eFiling interface to include more prefilled data, clearer residency prompts, a dropdown for approved medical schemes, and new declaration alerts to cut errors and verification delays.
- The agency warned of higher phishing and scam attempts during filing season, advised using eFiling or the SARS MobiApp, and reminded taxpayers to update contact and bank details and gather supporting documents early.