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Monthly Tax Digest July 2026

South African Revenue ServiceRef: UNDS USUALLY WITHIN 72 HOURS

Official source

Source domain: sars.gov.za

Collected on 13 July 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

This document is a South African Revenue Service (SARS) “Monthly Tax Digest – July 2026” page that explains key actions for the 2026 income tax filing season. It states that Auto Assessment notices were issued to selected taxpayers from 1–12 July 2026, and that auto-assessed taxpayers must review their details; if correct, no further action is needed and refunds are usually processed within 72 hours. For taxpayers not auto-assessed or who disagree with their Auto Assessment, it instructs them to submit ITR12 via SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp from 13 July to 23 October 2026, and it outlines what happens after submission (ITA34 notice, possible verification within 21 days, and potential audit up to 90 business days). It also provides guidance on paying if you owe SARS (including payment due dates and the required PRN format) and warns against SARS scams requesting passwords/OTPs/login credentials.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

tax filing assistance via pre-assessment

Auto Assessment (review details; no further action if correct)

If you were selected for Auto Assessment, you must review your personal information, contacts, banking details, income and deductions. If the Auto Assessment is correct, no further action is needed and SARS will process any valid refund within 72 hours.

Who it is for
selected taxpayers who received Auto Assessment notices
How to act on it
Review your Auto Assessment information on SARS digital channels (SARS Online Query System or WhatsApp) if you did not receive an official SMS/email confirming you were auto-assessed; if correct, take no further action; if not correct, you must submit an ITR12 (handled in the separate opportunity).
Show the line this came from
Auto Assessment notices were issued to selected taxpayers from 1–12 July 2026 to mark the beginning of the 2026 filing season.
document submission for verification

Provide supporting documents after IT34A verification request

If the verification section on your IT34A is marked “Yes”, you must provide supporting documents within 21 days to verify that the details and amounts declared to SARS match your original records.

Who it is for
taxpayers whose IT34A verification section is marked “Yes”
How to act on it
Provide supporting documents within 21 days when your IT34A verification section is marked “Yes”.
Show the line this came from
Note: When the verification section on your IT34A is marked “Yes”, you must provide supporting documents within 21 days to verify that the details and amounts declared to SARS match your original records.
refund status checking and resolution guidanceOngoing

Check and resolve refund delays (banking verification, verification, audit)

If your refund is delayed, you should check your refund status on WhatsApp and consider whether your banking details need verification (up to 21 business days), your return is selected for verification (up to 21 business days), or your return is selected for audit (up to 90 business days), or whether you have outstanding returns/incorrect banking details/tax debt to resolve first.

Who it is for
taxpayers waiting for a refund
How to act on it
Check refund status on WhatsApp; then follow the listed conditions that may apply (banking verification, verification, audit, or outstanding returns/tax debt).
Show the line this came from
Before contacting SARS about a delayed refund, c heck the refund status on WhatsApp or check if any of the following apply:
income tax return submissionOpen

Submit ITR12 via SARS eFiling or SARS MobiApp (for non-auto-assessed or disagreement)

If you were not auto-assessed or you disagree with your Auto Assessment, you must submit your annual Income Tax Return (ITR12) using SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp during the filing window.

Who it is for
taxpayers who were not auto-assessed or who do not agree with their Auto Assessment
How to act on it
Submit your annual Income Tax Returns (ITR12) via SARS eFiling or SARS MobiApp during the stated period.
Closes
23 October 2026
Show the line this came from
Taxpayers who were not auto-assessed or do not agree with their Auto Assessment must submit their annual Income Tax Returns (ITR12) via SARS eFiling or SARS MobiApp from 13 July to 23 October 2026 .

Facts

Reference

UNDS USUALLY WITHIN 72 HOURS

Key Takeaways

  • SARS Monthly Tax Digest – July 2026
  • Auto Assessment notices issued to selected taxpayers: 1–12 July 2026
  • Auto-assessed taxpayers: review details; if correct, no further action; refunds usually within 72 hours
  • Non-auto-assessed or disagreeing taxpayers must submit ITR12 via eFiling/MobiApp: 13 July–23 October 2026
  • Disputed prepopulated third-party data: contact relevant institution to correct with SARS before submitting
  • After processing: SARS issues Notice of Assessment (ITA34)
  • If IT34A verification marked “Yes”: provide supporting documents within 21 days
  • Refunds: negative amount on ITA34; check refund status; banking verification up to 21 business days; audit up to 90 business days
  • If you owe SARS: payment due within 30 days of notice of assessment (non-auto-assessed); for auto-assessed non-provisional taxpayers, due 30 days after 23 October 2026
  • Provisional taxpayers: correct and submit by 22 January 2027 if they disagree with Auto Assessment
  • Payment PRN format: ten-digit tax reference number + 'T' + eight zeros (example 0123456789T00000000)
  • SARS scam warning: SARS will never request passwords, OTPs, banking PINs, or eFiling login credentials via email/SMS/social media/telephone
  • South African Revenue Service (SARS)
  • National Treasury
  • Davis Tax Committee
  • Office of the Tax Ombud
  • SARS Online Query System
  • SARS WhatsApp (0800 11 7277)
  • SARS MobiApp
  • SARS eFiling
  • IRP5
  • ITR12
  • ITA34
  • IT34A

Dates

Closing Date

23 October 2026