Auto-Assessments: What to Do When SARS Sends You a Notification

You've got an SMS or email from SARS, and it says you've been auto-assessed. But what does that mean? An auto-assessment is when SARS uses data from employers, financial institutions, and other third-party providers to calculate your tax. This is part of SARS’ effort to make tax season smoother.

SARS will send notifications via SMS or email between 1st and 12th July 2026. If you haven't received a notification by 12th July, it means you won't be auto-assessed, and you'll need to complete and submit an income tax return from 13th July 2026. So, what happens if you do get an auto-assessment notification? Firstly, log into eFiling or the SARS MobiApp to check if all the information is correct.

If the information is correct, you don’t need to do anything else. But if it's not, make sure to check all the information on the income tax return, add any missing details, and submit using eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. Filing season is more than just an administrative process; it's a chance for taxpayers to correct any mistakes. At its core is a psychological compact of trust: taxpayers trust that when a refund is due, the tax administration will sort it out.

SARS has also made an announcement regarding historical income-tax assessment notifications. It seems some taxpayers have received a notification on eFiling about a historical income-tax assessment. If you received such a notice, don't panic – it doesn't affect your 2026 tax return or the current filing season. The notice was generated as part of a data synchronisation process. It's not a cause for concern; it's just an update.

Filing season is an important part of South Africa's economic calendar. It's a national moment of engagement between taxpayers and the tax administration. This season is also a reminder of the importance of tax compliance. For SARS, it's a matter of ensuring that everyone pays their fair share. And for taxpayers, it's a matter of getting their taxes sorted and moving on.