The 2025/2026 tax-filing season is open. Here is everything you need to know about deadlines, who must file, auto-assessments, two-pot withdrawals, and how to prepare your documents.
What are the tax-filing season dates to diarise? Diarise the applicable dates to ensure you submit your 2025/2026 return (for the period 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2026) on time.
What do the tax changes announced in the Budget speech mean for your 2025/2026 tax return? The Budget speech delivered in February 2026 introduced several tax changes, which may leave you wondering how these will affect the personal tax return you are about to file. The key point to keep in mind is that all of the changes affecting personal income tax will only take effect from the 2026/2027 tax year. This means they will only impact next year's tax-filing season, not the return you are currently preparing, and you do not need to factor these announcements into your current submission.
Who needs to submit a tax return? Not everyone is required to file a tax return, so it is important to understand whether you are obligated to file one. SARS may levy administrative penalties against you if you fail to meet your filing obligations. You are generally required to submit a return if: your gross income exceeded the applicable age-based threshold; you earned additional income beyond your salary, such as rental income or other business income; you realised capital gains above R40 000; you held foreign assets or funds above the prescribed limits; or you are involved in more complex structures, such as a trust.
Who may not need to submit a tax return? You may not be required to submit a tax return if your tax affairs are straightforward and your income tax has been paid over to SARS by your employer. For the 2025/2026 tax year, you may not be required to file a return if your income consisted solely of: a salary from a single employer not exceeding R500 000 (where PAYE has been correctly deducted); local interest income within the exemption thresholds; tax-free investments; exempt dividends (for non-residents); or a single lump sum withdrawal or retirement benefit where tax was correctly applied via a SARS directive.
SARS auto-assessments — what you need to know: SARS continues to expand its use of auto-assessments, using third-party data from employers, financial institutions, retirement fund administrators and medical schemes to pre-populate your tax return. Between 1 July and 12 July 2026, SARS will notify taxpayers via SMS or email if they have been auto-assessed. If you agree with your auto-assessment and the information is accurate, no return is required. If you disagree, you should update and submit your tax return via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.
Can pre-populated information be corrected on your return? SARS relies on third-party data to pre-populate your return. In the 2025/2026 filing season, taxpayers are unable to remove or overwrite pre-populated IRP5 certificate information where it is incorrect. If you identify errors, you may need to engage with the relevant third-party provider (such as your employer or fund administrator) to have the information corrected at source. Review your pre-populated information as early as possible.
Understanding the impact of two-pot withdrawals: If you made a withdrawal from the savings component of your retirement fund over the past tax year, it is important to understand how these withdrawals affect your tax position. Withdrawals from the savings component are taxed at your marginal income tax rate. Your retirement fund administrator should have issued you with an IRP5 or IT3(a) tax certificate reflecting the withdrawal amount, together with the tax withheld and paid over to SARS. The withdrawal is treated as income, and the gross amount must be included in your gross income.
Don't be caught off guard: It's easy to assume that the tax on your two-pot withdrawal has already been taken care of by the fund administrator through PAYE, but that is not always the case. If you had other income during the year — like a bonus, rental income or investment returns — your total taxable income may be higher than expected. This can push you into a higher tax bracket and leave you with additional tax to pay when you submit your return.
Your simple tax-filing checklist: Confirm your income sources. Collect all your supporting documents. Review your auto-assessment (if applicable). Review your deductions (if applicable). Submit your return before the deadline. Remember, you are required to retain supporting documentation for five years from the date of submission. Credits: Allan Gray.
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