Confused about tax season? SARS explains common questions to help you file with ease

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July 11, 2025
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SARS answers top tax questions for 2025 season in new FAQ guide for South Africans. Photo credit: Waldo Sweigers/Bloomberg via Getty Images

As part of its ongoing efforts to improve taxpayer support and promote voluntary compliance, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) has compiled and published a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) addressing key concerns for the 2025 tax season.

Covering topics ranging from auto assessments, eFiling errors, banking detail updates, to refund timelines and login issues, the FAQ resource is designed to help South Africans navigate their tax responsibilities with confidence and clarity.

This initiative aligns with SARS’ digital-first approach, offering transparent and accessible guidance to individuals and businesses alike.

Frequently asked questions

Question	Answer
How does Auto Assessment work?	SARS receives data from employers, medical schemes, banks, retirement funds, and other third parties. We then use such data to populate your income tax return and calculate your income tax assessment. If we are satisfied that the data and tax calculation is correct, we issue the assessment to you through eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. At the same time, we also send you a message to your preferred channel of communication (such as SMS or email) to let you know that your assessment on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp is ready for you to review. This process is referred to as Auto Assessment.
How do I know that the pre-populated data on my income tax return is correct?	To view your data in detail: · Log in to eFiling. · Select the “Third Party Data Certificate” search button on the menu bar. · Select the certificate type. · Submit or search any certificate that you want to verify. If there is an error in your data or the data is incomplete: · Ask the institution (such as your employer, bank, medical scheme or retirement fund) to correct the information it gave to SARS. · When you receive confirmation from the third party that your data was corrected and filed with SARS, access your income tax return again on eFiling or MobiApp. · Check that the data has been updated and file your income tax return on eFiling or SARS MobiApp.
Can I change any of the third-party data populated on my Auto Assessment (for example, medical-aid information)?	No, the data that SARS used to populate your income tax return is the same data provided to you by your service provider (e.g. employer, bank, medical scheme or retirement fund). To correct any information, you must ask the service provider to correct and give the right information to SARS.
What if I do not agree with my income tax assessment?	· You can change your <CCYY> Income Tax Return and submit it on or before 20 October 2025. · You can submit your return on SARS eFiling (https://secure.sarsefiling.co.za) or the SARS MobiApp. · For help with your return, go to https://www.sars.gov.za/individuals/how-do-i-send-sars-my-return.
How will I know if I have been Auto Assessed?	From 1 July 2025, access the SARS Online Query System (SOQS) from the SARS website and click on “My Auto Assessment Status”.
What if a refund is due to me?	Refunds of R100 or more will be paid automatically within 72 hours. Refunds of less than R100 will be added to your account and paid out when your account balance exceeds R100. You can find out your refund status on WhatsApp (0800 11 7277), SARS MobiApp, or by dialling 1347277#.
What if my assessment shows that I owe SARS	Debt of R100 or more must be paid by the due date. If the Debt is less than R100 you can choose whether to pay it now or let it be carried over to the next tax year. Remember, interest is payable on any debt, whether less than R100, or R100 or more. Interest is charged on the bottom-line balance of the assessed account (it is a consolidated account). Even if the debt is not followed up by debt collection, interest will still be charged.
Why am I not Auto Assessed?	You will not receive an Auto Assessment if your personal information is incomplete (you can update your details on eFiling). You will also not be Auto Assessed if you received income other than employment and investment income, e.g. rental income.
How do I register for tax?	You can register for tax on: · SARS Online Query System (SOQS) · WhatsApp (0800 11 7277) · SARS MobiApp · USSD (1347277#) · eFiling
Where can I find my tax number?	Ask for your tax number through: · SARS Online Query System (SOQS) · WhatsApp (0800 11 7277) · SARS MobiApp · USSD (1347277#) · eFiling
Where can I update my personal details?	You can update your personal details on eFiling or SARS MobiApp.
What happens if my personal details are out of date?	According to the Tax Administration Act, if your personal details are outdated, you must update your details within 21 working days. If your personal information is incorrect, you cannot enjoy the benefit of Auto Assessment. Also note that failure to update your personal details may have other serious consequences.
What happens if I share my private SARS information, such as eFiling login details?	You will be at risk of scams if you share your login details and tax information.
Where can I see and update my security contact details?	To check or update your security contact details, log in to eFiling, then: · Click “My Profile” on the eFiling landing page. · Select “Profile and Preference Setup”. · Change your contact details on the “Profile and Preference Setup” page.
Where can I see and update my banking details?	Check your banking details on eFiling or SARS MobiApp. To update your banking details, log in to eFiling. On the eFiling landing page, select “Update My Personal Income Tax Bank Account”, where you can change your banking information.
Where can I reset or update my eFiling login details?	Reset or update your eFiling password on SARS MobiApp or eFiling.
Where can I check my tax-return status?	Check your tax-return status on the SARS Online Query System (SOQS).
Where can I get my Statement of Account?	Get your Statement of Account on WhatsApp (0800 11 7277), SARS MobiApp, or eFiling.
Where can I check my outstanding returns for prior years?	Check your outstanding returns for prior years on the SARS Online Query System (SOQS) or eFiling.
Where can I check my outstanding debt?	Check your outstanding debt on the SARS Online Query System (SOQS) or eFiling.
Where can I check my compliance status?	Check your compliance status on eFiling or SARS MobiApp.
Where can I check my audit status?	Check your audit status on WhatsApp (0800 11 7277).
Where can I upload supporting documents?	Upload supporting documents on SARS Online Query System (SOQS) or SARS MobiApp.
Where can I book a SARS branch appointment?	Before visiting a SARS branch, first make an appointment on the SARS website.
Can I log an electronic account query?	You can log an account query on the SARS Online Query System (SOQS).
What must I do if I think I am being targeted by a scam or fraud?	If you think a SARS message is actually a scam, or if you have been contacted by a fake SARS “employee”, you should: · Report suspicious activity online · Call the Contact Centre on 012 422 7435 to confirm if a SARS official is in fact an employee. · Call the SARS Anti-Corruption and Fraud Hotline on 0800 00 2870. · Call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277 for general help. · Visit your nearest SARS branch to verify the information. If you have become the victim of identity theft, you must immediately notify SARS, report it to the police, and close all bank accounts.
Which assets that I sold qualify as income to be declared on my ITR12?	Income from assets such as property, shares, and crypto must be declared on your ITR12.
What is an IT3(a) certificate?	The IT3(a) is an employee certificate provided by an employer showing reasons why tax was not withheld from your wage.
What is the definition for remuneration for work done abroad as shown on my IRP5 or IT3(a) certificate?	Remuneration refers to the money paid for work or a service. For work done abroad, remuneration can include various forms of compensation such as salary, wages, bonuses, and allowances.
What is the meaning of foreign income?	Foreign income is defined as income you receive for performing personal services in a foreign country. This can include wages, salaries, professional fees, and other types of earned income. The source of your earned income is the place where you performed the services for which you received the income.
What does it mean not to qualify for a tax exemption in terms of “s10(1)(o)” of the Income Tax Act? What does it mean not to qualify for “section 10(1)(o)” exemptions?	Not qualifying for the section 10(1)(o) exemption means that the payment received for foreign employment services does not meet the criteria for exemption set out in the Income Tax Act.
What does it mean to qualify for a tax exemption in terms of s10(1)(o)? What does it mean to qualify for section 10(1)(o) exemptions?	Qualifying for the section 10(1)(o) exemption means that the remuneration earned from foreign employment services will not be subject to normal tax in South Africa if the individual meets the specified conditions of employment, duration of stay outside South Africa, and the nature of the income earned.
When can I claim a tax deduction for my travel allowance?	When you have received a taxable travel allowance from your employer, you can declare the travel logbook on your tax return.

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