Taxpayers warned against 'blind acceptance' of auto-assessments

WITH tax season fully underway in South Africa, taxpayers have been warned not to "blindly accept" their South African Revenue Service (SARS) auto assessments without reviewing them carefully.

- MTHOBISI NOZULELA

The tax season officially commenced on Monday, July 7, 2025, with SARS setting deadlines for different categories of taxpayers. According to the revenue service, most taxpayers will be auto-assessed this year.

"This season marks an important period in which the income tax returns of most taxpayers will be automatically assessed. The taxpayers in the auto assessment category do not have to do anything if they are satisfied with the calculation on their tax returns," SARS said.

What is auto assessment?

Auto assessment is a process in which SARS uses data from employers, medical aids, and financial institutions to complete tax returns for individuals with straightforward tax situations.