Cape Town – The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has urged taxpayers with outstanding income tax returns to submit them before the 2026 Filing Season closes on Friday, 23 October, warning that late submissions could attract monthly administrative penalties of up to R16,000.
With the deadline approaching, SARS Commissioner Dr Johnstone Makhubu called on taxpayers to act immediately, highlighting the importance of compliance and the revenue service’s efforts to simplify the filing process.
“Every compliant taxpayer helps our country function and develop. We thank the millions who have fulfilled their obligations and urge those who still need to file to act now,” Makhubu said in a statement issued on Thursday.
Non-provisional taxpayers with outstanding returns can submit them through SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp before the deadline. Those who fail to file on time may face monthly administrative penalties ranging from R250 to R16,000, depending on their taxable income, until the outstanding returns are submitted.
Increased use of technology
Taxpayers with unpaid tax debt may also incur penalties and interest. SARS has advised those unable to pay their tax liabilities in full to contact the revenue service promptly to discuss payment arrangements.
The warning comes as SARS reports progress in automating assessments and accelerating tax refunds during the 2026 Filing Season.
By 30 September, the revenue service had auto-assessed more than 6.9 million returns, a 20% increase compared with the previous year. For the first time, certain provisional taxpayers were also included in the Auto Assessment process.
Between 1 July and 19 October, SARS paid refunds totalling R33 billion to 3,143,675 taxpayers, with 85% of the refunds paid within 72 hours.
Makhubu said the increased use of technology and verified third-party data was helping to simplify tax administration and improve service delivery.
“Expanding Auto Assessments shows how better use of data can simplify taxpayers’ interactions with SARS. The speed of processing legitimate refunds is a key measure of effective tax administration,” he said.
Modernisation programme
SARS also expanded its digital services during the current filing season, improving its eFiling platforms and allowing taxpayers to receive assessment notices and submit supporting documents through WhatsApp.
The measures form part of the revenue service’s broader strategy to encourage voluntary compliance by making it easier for taxpayers to meet their obligations while making deliberate non-compliance more difficult and costly.
“Tax administration goes beyond collecting what is lawfully due. Paying legitimate refunds efficiently is equally important to support taxpayers in a difficult economic environment and give them certainty,” Makhubu said.
“Our modernisation programme aims to improve both collection and refunds while safeguarding the integrity of the tax system,” he added.
SARS has encouraged taxpayers not to wait until the final hours to submit outstanding returns, stressing that its digital platforms allow them to meet their obligations without visiting a branch.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: X/@GovernmentZA
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Betha Madhomu
