When the South African Revenue Service (SARS) issues an auto assessment, it means the system has prepared your tax assessment for you using the existing data. This article explains what that means, how it works, key deadlines, who qualifies and who doesn’t, the benefits and risks, and what you should do if it’s issued to you.
What is an Auto Assessment ?
An auto assessment by SARS is a pre filled tax assessment that has been calculated using third party information such as employer certificates, bank or investment income data, medical aid contributions, and retirement fund data.
In effect:
- SARS uses income data reported by others to pre populate your tax return.
- If SARS is satisfied with the data and it is complete, then they issue the assessment.
- If you are agree with it, you can not do anything. If you are disagree, still you may file a full tax return.
For many taxpayers with simple affairs, an auto-assessment can mean less work. But it doesn’t mean you can ignore your tax affairs, still you have responsibilities.
Who Qualifies / Who Can Get an Auto Assessment ?
Auto assessments are aimed at taxpayers whose affairs are straightforward, like salaried employees with one source of income, no complicated deductions, no rental income, or business income.
For the 2025 tax season, SARS has expanded the programme :
- Auto-assessments will be issued between 07-July-205 to 20-July-2025 for individuals.
- The filing season for individual tax returns from 21-July-2025 to 20-October-2025.
- SARS may invite certain provisional taxpayers to participate in the programe.
If your tax situation is more complex, if you have freelance income, rental property, or many deductible expenses, you may not receive an auto assessment and will need to file manually.
How It Works — Step by Step
- Data collection : SARS receives data from employers, banks, medical schemes, retirement funds, etc.
- Assessment preparation : SARS uses that data to pre populate your tax return and calculate whether you owe tax or due a refund.
- Notification : SARS sends you an SMS or email letting you know that your auto assessment is ready between 07-July-2025 to and 20-July 2025.
- Review by you : You check the pre populated data on SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp to ensure that it is accurate and complete.
- Action:
- If you are happy the assessment is correct. Accept it and you’re done.
- If you find omissions or errors. File a full tax return manually before the deadline.
- Refund or Payment : If you are due a refund, SARS aims to pay within about 72 hours. If you owe tax, you must pay by the due date.
Key Deadlines You Should Know
- Notification window for auto assessments : 07-July-2025 to 20-July-2025
- Manual filing season for individual taxpayers: 21-July-2025 to 20-October-2025
- Provisional taxpayers (if included) : Filing may close in January-2026
It’s essential to act on time if you wish to make corrections. If you accept the auto assessment without checking and later discover missing information, you may face penalties or audit issues.
Benefits of the Auto Assessment
- Convenience: Much of the work is done for you.
- Faster refund : If you’re due a refund, you may receive it quickly.
- Less manual filing: You might not need to file a return if everything is already captured.
- Improved digital tools : SARS has upgraded eFiling and the MobiApp to support the process.
Risks & Why You Should Review Carefully
Despite the convenience, auto assessments are not risk-free. Watch out for:
- Missing income (rental, freelance, or foreign income not captured).
- Missing deductions or credits (donations, home office, travel expenses).
- Data errors from employers or banks.
- Legal responsibility, you remain accountable for correctness.
- Refund delays or payment problems due to incorrect details.
What Should You Do If You Receive an Auto Assessment ?
- Check your notification : Look for an SMS or email from SARS between 07-July to 20-July.
- Log in : Visit SARS eFiling or the MobiApp and view your assessment.
- Review all information : Verify that your income, deductions, and personal details are correct.
- Decide:
- If everything is correct : Please accept it.
- If anything is missing : File a full return manually.
- Keep records : Save all the supporting documents like certificates and receipts.
- Watch for scams : SARS never asks for banking details via email or SMS.
Common Misconceptions
- If I get a refund I don’t need to check anything.
- Auto-assessment means I never file a return.
- If I do nothing, I’ll be penalized.
- Only simple taxpayers are selected.
Use Case : Should You Accept It ?
Scenario A : You’re a full time employee with one income source and no extra deductions. An auto assessment is likely accurate, accepting it makes sense.
Scenario B : You have multiple income sources, freelance work, rental income, or claim extra deductions. The auto-assessment may miss key details, filing manually is better.
Final Thoughts
Auto assessments by SARS are a great innovation that simplifies tax filing for many South Africans. They offer convenience and faster turnaround times, but they’re not a replacement for your due diligence.
Always review your data carefully before accepting. If something is missing or incorrect, file a manual return to avoid penalties or delays. Remember, the responsibility for accuracy lies with you.
Auto assessment is a tool, not a guarantee. Use it wisely to stay compliant and ensure your tax record remains accurate.
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FAQ
Q.1 : What if I don’t receive a notification ?
If you don’t get an SMS or email between 07 to 20-July, you probably weren’t selected for auto-assessment. You’ll need to file manually.
Q.2 : Can I change an auto-assessment after accepting it ?
Yes. You can submit an amended return or objection later, but it’s better to check before accepting.
Q. 3: What if my refund is less than R100 ?
Small refunds or debts under R100 may be carried forward to the next tax year.
Q.4 : What if my employer or bank submitted incorrect data ?
Request them to correct the data and file a manual return with the correct information.
Q.5 : Does being auto-assessed mean I’ll get a refund ?
Not necessarily. It depends on your total income, deductions, and credits.
