Auto-assessment and e-filing tips to avoid scams & get through tax season like a pro

Taxes are giving... adult admin (and extra stress) that many don't enjoy.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced the official start of the 2025 Filing Season, effective from 7 July 2025 to 20 October 2025.

Auto-assessments are underway for South Africans who have been selected for the process.

About 4.8 million taxpayers are expected to be selected for the auto-assessment process.

If you've not been selected for an auto-assessment, you will be able to submit your tax return manually from 21 July until 20 October.

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Fisher-French breaks down some tax need-to-knows:

If you're selected for the auto-assessment process, you'll get a notification informing you. If there's a refund from SARS, you'll receive it via EFT within 72 hours.
Any additional income, for example, rental income, would need to be declared on auto-assessments. If it does not appear, you would manually need to add it. If you don't, you can be found 'complicit' in avoiding tax and be fined for it. This can be added by editing your auto-assessment.
If you have a bond on a home that you're renting out, the interest is tax-deductible and would also need to be declared.
Medical aid bills for individuals over 65 years old, family members with disabilities, and dependents are tax-deductible, while medical aid schemes taking up 7.5% of your salary can also be deducted.
Don't fall for scams: you won't be given a 'clickable link' to update banking or personal details. SARS will inform you to log in to your e-filing account using their official website or their app. 'Click on nothing' is the key.
Avoid filling in any forms asking for personal details, claiming to be from SARS.
You have the option to object to your auto-assessment until 20 October on the e-filing system.
If you're stuck with e-filing, use the 'e-booking' option on SARS' website to speak to a representative. The call centre takes longer as it's inundated with around 18,000 calls per day during tax season.

If you've been auto-assessed, there's still room for error.

Fisher-French advises that it's worth checking to see if SARS has captured all your information correctly. She says it's probably correct, but to be sure, it's good to double-check.

Happy adulting!