SARS pays R10.6 billion in refunds due to taxpayers, thus far, ahead of tax filing season

5.8 million taxpayers received Auto Assessments this year, which is up from 5 million in 2024.

This was announced by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) on Friday.

In a statement, it said that 99.6% of Auto Assessments issued to date have remained unchanged by taxpayers. At the same time, R10.6 billion in refunds were processed due to taxpayers have already been paid within 72 hours.

‘’With Auto Assessment, SARS uses data sourced from third-party data providers to assess taxpayers. In keeping with our aspiration to “make tax just happen”, taxpayers do not have to do anything when they are issued an auto assessment. For the few taxpayers that may need to update their tax returns with changes in case of outstanding information which SARS does not have, this can done via eFiling or the SARS Mobi App,’’ it said.

PICTURE: Pixabay

According to SARS, the journey to build A Smart, Modern SARS, characterised by the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science is bearing fruit.

‘’More than 2.1 million taxpayers have interacted with SARS through our digital channels. Of these, 1.1 million interactions were serviced by the SARS Online Query System, 707 000 through WhatsApp, and 290 000 with Lwazi Chat Bot. By making it easy and simple to engage with SARS through eFiling or the SARS Mobi App, more than 10.2 million unique users have successfully logged in since 4 July.’’

The Auto Assessment period concludes on 20 July 2025, and will be followed by the tax filing period via eFiling and the SARS MobiApp for individual taxpayers from 21 July–20 October 2025. Provisional taxpayers can also file from 21 July 2025–19 January 2026.

‘’For the majority of those who submit a return online, an assessment outcome is issued in under 5 seconds if all is in order. This world class service is done whilst managing the risk of impermissible or fraudulent refunds with sophisticated machine learning and AI models,’’ said SARS.

To avoid penalties, taxpayers must submit accurate information promptly. For smooth Filing Season 2025, taxpayers are urged to use the following communication channels with SARS:

SARS Website: visit www.sars.gov.za and click on the “Individuals” tab.

SARS Online Query System (SOQS): https://tools.sars.gov.za/soqs.

SARS WhatsApp: send “Hi” or “Hello” to 0800 117 277.

AI Virtual Assistant: available 24/7 on the SARS website to answer queries.

Dial *134*7277#: to access SARS services.

SARS YouTube: visit @sarstax for how-to videos.

‘’Taxpayers are using SARS’s digital channels successfully. There is no need to visit SARS Service Centres. If you must, book an appointment first to avoid long queues. Taxpayers who owe SARS are urged to make payments as soon as possible or make payment arrangements. Only refunds more than R100 due to taxpayers will be automatically paid into their bank accounts within 72 hours once the assessment is completed,’’ said SARS.

SARS also warned of potential scammers.

‘’SARS urges taxpayers to remain extremely vigilant and keep their details confidential. There have been many attempts by scammers to defraud taxpayers. Taxpayers are reminded that SARS will never ask taxpayers to use any link to engage with it. Taxpayers must protect their eFiling login details and use only registered tax practitioners.’’

Information on the latest scams can be found on the SARS website: www.sars.gov.za. To report or request information on phishing, taxpayers can send an email to phishing@sars.gov.za.

SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter, expressed his satisfaction that Auto Assessment has been a game changer in making tax easy for taxpayers to comply.

“SARS is working hard to give taxpayers the best service, where “tax just happens”.

He noted that the improvement of SARS’s digital platforms is saving taxpayers’ time and eliminating the need to travel to SARS Service Centres. “Ultimately, our aim is to make the best service to be no service at all. As we start with Filing Season for those not auto assessed, from Monday, 21 July, I encourage taxpayers rather to use our digital channels than come queue at our Service Centres”.

 

Done by: Mitchum George