SARS expected to issue about 6 million auto-assessments during the 2026 filing season. If yours is correct, you do not need to submit another return. If something is missing or wrong, you must correct it before the deadline.
What is a SARS auto-assessment?
SARS prepares an assessment using information supplied by your employer, bank, medical scheme, retirement fund and other third parties. You should receive an SMS or email if you were selected. The 2026 auto-assessment notices were issued from 1 to 12 July, and you can check your status through SARS digital channels.
Read the official SARS auto-assessment instructions before acting on any message. Do not use a link in an unexpected SMS. Open eFiling or the SARS MobiApp yourself.
When can you accept it?
Log in to eFiling or the MobiApp and compare the assessment with your own records. Check your employer income, pension or annuity income, bank interest, medical-aid information, retirement contributions and any other income you received during the 2026 year of assessment.
If the information is complete and correct, you can accept the outcome by doing nothing further. If SARS owes you R100 or more, the refund is normally paid within 72 hours when your banking details and assessment are in order. A refund below R100 remains on your SARS account until the balance is above R100.
When should you dispute or correct it?
You should submit an updated return if the assessment leaves out income, shows the wrong income, or misses a deduction you are entitled to claim. Examples include a retirement annuity contribution, qualifying medical expenses, rental income or a second employer.
If a third party supplied incorrect information, ask that provider to correct its data and submit it to SARS. Keep the supporting certificate or statement. Once the data is corrected, refresh your return and submit it through eFiling or the MobiApp.
What is the deadline?
For non-provisional taxpayers, the 2026 return must be submitted by 23 October 2026. Certain provisional taxpayers have until 22 January 2027. You can find the full dates in SARS’s 2026 filing-season update.
Do not ignore an assessment simply because you expect a refund. Review it first. The safest rule is simple: accept only when the data is complete, correct and supported by your records.