Latest news with #MobiApp
The South African
13-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
SARS issues warning as 2025 tax season looms
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has urged taxpayers to verify and update their banking and contact details ahead of the 2025 tax season, warning that incorrect information could delay refunds or result in missed communications. SARS will begin rolling out auto-assessments from Monday, 7 July, meaning taxpayers have until Sunday, 6 July to ensure their details are current for a hassle-free filing experience. The move is part of SARS's continued drive to streamline the tax process, with many individuals expected to receive auto-assessments – pre-completed tax assessments based on data from employers, banks, and medical schemes. When South Africans connect, we don't just network; we build a community. The Lekker Network is a professional network where every conversation starts with, 'How can I help you?' Come join us & be a part of a community of extraordinary Saffas. Taxpayers can check and update their information on by: Logging into their eFiling account Clicking on 'SARS Registered Details' Selecting 'Maintain SARS Registered Details' Choosing which section to update (e.g. bank accounts, email addresses, mobile numbers) Clicking 'Done', then 'Submit' to save changes Failing to submit after updating will result in changes not being registered in the system. No action required if you agree with the auto-assessment. Refunds will be processed automatically if banking details are correct. with the auto-assessment. Refunds will be processed automatically if banking details are correct. Incorrect banking details will result in refund failures. Affected taxpayers will need to manually correct their details and follow up with SARS. will result in refund failures. Affected taxpayers will need to manually correct their details and follow up with SARS. SARS will send notifications via SMS or email to inform taxpayers when their assessments are ready. Taxpayers are advised to wait for this notice before logging into eFiling or the MobiApp. to inform taxpayers when their assessments are ready. Taxpayers are advised to before logging into eFiling or the MobiApp. If a refund is due and banking details are up to date, it will be paid within approximately 72 hours of the assessment. of the assessment. If you disagree with the assessment, you will need to complete and file a tax return manually via eFiling or the MobiApp before the due date indicated. SARS has fully transitioned to digital communication, meaning all critical correspondence will be delivered via email or SMS. This includes: Audit notifications Payment reminders Requests for documentation Dispute outcomes Penalty notices Missing such notices could result in penalties, enforcement actions, or non-compliance flags – which can affect future tax filings and SARS interactions. 'Taxpayers don't need to call or visit our branches. Most issues, including disputes, can be resolved online,' SARS emphasised in a statement. Taxpayers are advised to ensure that they have regular access to their SARS eFiling account or MobiApp and that their registered representative details are also current, particularly for business entities. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
11-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Sars goes digital: key changes for taxpayers
Discover how Sars' transition to digital correspondence affects taxpayers and what steps you need to take to stay compliant. Image: File photo. The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has officially discontinued the printing and posting of all system-generated letters, effective May 31, 2025. From this date forward, all Sars correspondence will be delivered electronically via eFiling and other digital platforms. This development is in line with Sars' ongoing digital transformation strategy aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing reliance on third-party service providers, ensuring faster delivery of communication, and supporting environmental sustainability initiatives. The importance of keeping your Sars registered details up to date Now that Sars has moved entirely to digital correspondence, taxpayers must ensure that their contact and profile information is accurate and regularly maintained. This includes: An active and accessible email address linked to your Sars profile Updated mobile numbers for notifications Correct details of the registered representative for entities Regular access to your Sars eFiling account or MobiApp Failure to maintain up-to-date information may result in missed communications, with serious consequences for your tax compliance status. Consequences of Ignoring Sars Correspondence System-generated letters from Sars often contain time-sensitive information such as: Audit notifications and verification requests Final demands or payment reminders Requests for supporting documentation Assessment adjustments or penalty notices Dispute or objection outcomes Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Ignoring or missing these letters can have significant implications, including: 1. Penalties and Interest Missed deadlines may trigger automatic administrative penalties and the accrual of interest on unpaid taxes. 2. Legal Enforcement Failure to respond to demands or audit requests could lead to collection actions, such as garnishee orders or asset seizure. 3. Loss of Tax Compliance Status Your tax compliance status may be negatively affected, which can impact business operations, tender applications, or international emigration processes. 4. Missed Refunds or Appeals Certain actions, such as appealing an assessment or claiming a refund, are subject to strict time limits. Delays caused by missed correspondence may result in forfeiting your rights or delaying funds due to you. What Taxpayers Should Do To adapt to this change and remain compliant, Sars encourages taxpayers to: Log in to their Sars eFiling profile and review and update all registered details Monitor their eFiling inbox regularly for new correspondence Respond promptly to all Sars communications Engage the services of a registered tax practitioner if assistance is required
The Citizen
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
SARS kicks off 2025 tax filing season
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has officially declared the opening of the 2025 tax filing season, with major updates aimed at simplifying the process for millions of South African taxpayers. The filing season will run from July 7 up until October 20 for non-provisional individuals, while provisional taxpayers and trusts will have until January 19, 2026 to submit their tax returns. This year, SARS is making compliance by kicking off the season with an auto-assessment initiative, designed to streamline returns for taxpayers. Also read: Urgent community support needed to complete classroom project at New Jerusalem Children's Home ''In line with our strategic objective to make it easy for taxpayers to comply, we have identified a large segment of non-provisional and provisional taxpayers who receive income from one or more sources, from formal and other forms of employment, and whose tax affairs are not complicated. They've been selected to be automatically assessed,' said SARS in a statement. Between July 7 and 20, selected taxpayers will receive SMSes and emails notifying them that they've been automatically assessed. If SARS's pre-calculated return looks right then the taxpayer does not have to do anything. However, taxpayers are advised to file a revised return if they believe that SARS has not accurately calculated their return. This can be done through SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp by October 20. Also read: Fostering future law enforcers and civil servants on Take a Child to Work Day For those not included in the auto-assessment the filing window opens on July 21. This includes taxpayers with multiple income streams, foreign income, or deductions not reflected in SARS's third-party data. SARS emphasised the importance of early preparation. 'We urge all taxpayers to prepare their documentation early to check their assessments to avoid last-minute delays for those that must submit an income return.' The agency has also urged taxpayers to ensure that their banking and security contact details are accurate and up to date. Read more: Glen Austin House hosts a successful family fun and open day 'If your contact details haven't changed, you don't need to do anything,' SARS confirmed. 'But if you need to update them, make sure your email and cellphone number are correct on eFiling first.' Those who have not been contacted by SARS are still expected to file manually from July 21. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The South African
04-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
SARS announces 2025 tax return auto-assessment dates
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced the tax return filing dates for individuals for the 2025 tax season. The tax season for individual taxpayers (non-provisional) will open 21 July 2025 and run to 20 October 2025. Auto assessments will start rolling out two weeks before, starting 7 July 2025 and running through to 20 July. The filing season for provisional taxpayers will run from 21 July 2025 to 19 January 2026 – which is also the filing window for trusts. Make sure that you have received your IRP5/IT3(a) and other tax certificates like medical aid, retirement annuity fund, and any other third-party data relevant to determining your tax obligations. If you have forgotten your password you can reset it online through the eFiling website by clicking on Forgot Password or Forgot Username. Use our self-help online query system to retrieve your tax reference number and submit any required supporting documents. In addition, check and/or update your personal information such as banking details, address and contact details online on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. SARS has announced a significant expansion of its auto-assessment programme for the 2025 tax season, aiming to streamline the filing process for a broader group of individual taxpayers – both non-provisional and provisional. According to SARS, the system will automatically assess a larger segment of taxpayers this year than ever before. These include individuals earning income from one or more formal or informal sources – such as employment, pensions, or freelance work – as long as their tax affairs are not considered complex. 'The process of automatic assessment is made possible by the availability of third-party data received from employers, pension fund administrators, medical aid schemes, and more,' SARS stated. Through this data, SARS pre-populates tax returns and issues what's known as an Auto Assessment. These assessments are sent directly to taxpayers via SMS or email and reflect the income, deductions, and taxes calculated based on data SARS has received from trusted third parties. If the taxpayer agrees with the figures, no further action is required. 'Taxpayers in the auto-assessment category do not have to do anything if they are satisfied with the calculation,' SARS confirmed. If you believe the auto-assessment is incomplete or incorrect, you can amend it manually. Taxpayers have until 20 October 2025 to submit changes via the SARS eFiling portal or the SARS MobiApp. This flexibility ensures that taxpayers retain control over their filings, even while benefiting from automation. The expansion of auto-assessments reflects SARS' ongoing efforts to simplify tax compliance and reduce the burden on individual filers. In 2024, millions were auto-assessed, and 2025 is expected to surpass those figures. Taxpayers are urged to ensure their personal details – especially email addresses and cell phone numbers – are updated on SARS eFiling to receive timely notifications. Where the taxpayer has a refund, they will receive it in 72 hours if all their information is correct. If they owe SARS, they must pay SARS through their respective banks, and the details are provided below. From the 7 July, SARS will communicate directly with affected taxpayers by SMS and/or email, notifying taxpayers of their auto-assessed tax returns. If there is a refund due to the taxpayer, it will be paid directly to the taxpayer's bank account within 72 business hours after the notification. If there is money owing to SARS, it must be paid to SARS' Bank Account, eFiling or through the SARS MobiApp by the stipulated date. Taxpayers can access their auto assessed income tax returns through any of SARS's channels, such as the SARS MobiApp or SARS eFiling, to review and verify the completeness and accuracy of the information that resulted in the auto assessment. If a taxpayer is satisfied with the auto assessment, they don't have to do anything further and the process terminates at this point. If the taxpayer finds that there is missing and/or inaccurate information, pertaining to either income or expenses, which may have affected the outcome, it must be declared to SARS by submitting a tax return to SARS. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
03-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
SARS opens 2025 tax season on July 7
SARS has announced the dates for the 2025 individual tax filing season, with key deadlines for both automatic and manual submissions. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has confirmed that the 2025 individual tax filing season will open on July 7, 2025 and close on October 20, for non-provisional taxpayers. This period includes automatic assessments for qualifying taxpayers and standard submissions for others. According to SARS, a large group of individual taxpayers will again be subject to automatic assessment. These assessments are based on third-party data from employers, pension funds, medical schemes, and other institutions. Taxpayers selected for automatic assessment will receive notifications via SMS or email between July 7 and 20. Individuals who do not receive an automatic assessment notification are required to file their income tax returns between July 21 and October 20. Provisional taxpayers and trusts have until January 19, 2026 to complete their submissions. Taxpayers are advised to verify that their banking and contact details are correct on the SARS eFiling system to facilitate processing, including potential refunds. There is no requirement to update details if there have been no changes. SARS states that taxpayers who are satisfied with the automatic assessment issued to them do not need to take further action. Where taxpayers identify missing or incorrect information in the assessment, they may submit corrections via SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp by October 20. Refunds for accurate returns will be processed within 72 business hours. If tax is owed, payment must be made through SARS-approved banking platforms or digital channels. From July 7, SARS will notify affected individuals of their auto-assessed status. These taxpayers can access their assessments through eFiling, the MobiApp, or other SARS digital platforms. For those required to file manually, SARS emphasises the importance of preparing documentation early and submitting returns on time. Late submissions or inaccurate returns may result in penalties. To support taxpayers during the 2025 season, SARS has made several system and service enhancements, including: Improved digital filing channels Extended service hours Step-by-step video guidance via the SARS YouTube channel Strengthened data protection measures Taxpayers are advised to make use of SARS's digital services - such as eFiling, the MobiApp, and other online platforms - rather than visiting a branch in person. If a branch visit is necessary, it's important to book an appointment ahead of time. Further information and support can be accessed via the official SARS website and digital help channels.
