What is a SARS auto-assessment, and do I need to accept it?

A SARS auto-assessment is an automatic tax return calculated by SARS using data from employers, banks, and medical aids. You do not have to accept it. If you have extra income to declare or out-of-pocket deductions to claim, you must submit a corrected return on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp before your filing deadline.

An ITA34 is the official Notice of Assessment issued by SARS. It provides a full breakdown of your tax calculations, indicating whether you are due a refund or if you have an outstanding amount to pay.

SARS already paid my refund. Can I still correct my tax return?

Yes. Receiving your refund within 72 hours does not lock your tax return. If you realise that your assessment was missing deductions like travel logs or medical expenses, you can still submit a corrected return to claim your additional refund.

What is the difference between missing income and missing deductions?

Missing income is a compliance risk that can lead to audit queries and under-declaration penalties. Missing deductions are unclaimed expenses that do not affect your compliance but result in you leaving money on the table.

When are the 2026 tax filing deadlines?

For the 2026 filing season, non-provisional taxpayers must submit their returns by 23 October 2026. Provisional taxpayers and trusts have until 22 January 2027 to finalise their submissions.

SARS auto-assessment 2026 | What You Need to Know