Jira & Confluence 
Bitrix24 SARS · ITR12 · auto-assessment
SARS tax return — do you need to file, and how
Nothing missing before you go.
Tick what you have and see at once what is missing.
Short answer. SARS has a short questionnaire to check if you must submit an ITR12 for 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2026. Filing season for non-provisional individuals ran from 13 July to 23 October 2026; provisional taxpayers have until 22 January 2027. If you were auto-assessed and something is wrong, you file an updated return.
Updated: · Next check 2027-02-02
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Keep your IRP5/IT3(a) with your tax papers.
Use only official SARS channels.
Deadlines
The rules, with the source
| What | Deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Tax year | 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2026 | SARS, Do you need to submit a return |
| Non-provisional | 13 July to 23 October 2026 | SARS, Filing Season |
| Provisional | Until 22 January 2027 | SARS, Filing Season |
| Reasons to file | SARS lists trade in South Africa, an allowance on your IRP5/IT3(a), foreign assets over R250 000, capital gains or losses over R40 000, and others | SARS, Do you need to submit a return |
| Auto-assessment | If something is missing, file a return with the new information added | SARS, Auto-Assessment |
| Small amounts | A refund or debt under R100 rolls over to the next tax year | SARS, Auto-Assessment |
| Passwords | SARS never asks for passwords, OTPs or banking PINs by email, SMS, social media or phone | SARS, Filing Season |
Checked on 1 November 2026 on sars.gov.za. We do not cover penalties for late returns here: ask SARS through eFiling or its online query system.
What does not exist
Be careful with these.
- “SARS needs your OTP”: SARS says it never asks for passwords or OTPs that way.
- “Auto-assessed means nothing to check”: If something is missing, you file with the new information.
Step by step
What to do, in order
1
Do you need to file?
Use the SARS questionnaire.
2
Check auto-assessment
On eFiling, the MobiApp or WhatsApp.
3
Gather your papers
IRP5/IT3(a) and supporting documents.
4
File or update
On eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.
5
Keep the documents
SARS may ask for them.
6
Check your result
Refund or amount due on your assessment.
Questions
Do I need to submit a return?
SARS has a questionnaire for the tax year. It lists trade, allowances, foreign assets, capital gains and more.
What is auto-assessment?
SARS prepares your assessment from data it holds. If something is missing, you file an updated return.
When was the deadline?
For non-provisional individuals, 23 October 2026. Provisional taxpayers have until 22 January 2027.
I missed the date. What now?
File as soon as you can on eFiling and ask SARS about your position. We do not state penalties here.
How do I spot a scam?
SARS says it never asks for passwords, OTPs or banking PINs by email, SMS, social media or phone.
Official sources
Other documents
Keep the papers in one place
Letters, receipts and notices in one folder you can share with family or a lawyer. The templates and the editor are free; Layers is free for up to 20 people.
This is general information, not tax advice. SARS decides.