SARS issues warning as 2025 tax season looms

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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.

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How to update your details

Taxpayers can check and update their information on sarsefiling.co.za 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.

Key points to remember

No action required if you agree 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.
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.
If a refund is due and banking details are up to date, it will be paid within approximately 72 hours 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.

Contact details now more crucial than before

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.