Klerksdorp Midweek, Klerksdorp - The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is introducing a new feature called “Express Access” to its eFiling systems for tax season 2025, which should make it much easier for taxpayers to process their auto assessments.
According to the service, income taxpayers should see a new Express tab on their eFiling landing page that will make their Personal Income Tax returns more easily accessible.
The new functionality will let taxpayers quickly view their 2025 auto assessment, submit previous years’ returns, submit the current year’s returns and update personal banking details.
SARS said that the update aligns with its strategic objectives to provide modernised and streamlined services and provide clarity and certainty of tax obligations for taxpayers.
It is also part of the taxman’s wider simplification processes, which drive taxpayer compliance and ensure that its other automated processes go through faster and smoother.
The focus on giving taxpayers quick access to their auto assessments is key, as the service expects to process a record number of these tax assessments in 2025.
Auto assessments will start rolling out two weeks ahead of the opening of filing season, starting July 7, where taxpayers with simpler tax affairs can resolve their returns quickly.
Auto-assessed taxpayers will find their tax returns already populated with third-party data sourced by SARS, with no need to manually submit a return.
If the assessment is accepted, there is no need for any further action, and the tax refund, if applicable, will be paid into the taxpayer’s account, typically within 72 hours.
If money is owed to SARS, taxpayers will be prompted to make payments via eFiling or the MobiApp.
However, if the auto-assessment is not accepted, taxpayers will have to reject it and submit a ma-nual return. Make sure your details are correct.
Another focus of the new Express tab is for taxpayers to update their contact and banking details.
SARS previously warned taxpayers to ensure that their banking details are correct, as the incorrect account data could lead to delays in getting tax refunds.
This would it necessitate manual action from taxpayers who have been auto-assessed, countering the benefits of the process being automated.
However, SARS said that it is also crucial to have up-to-date contact details as the tax service will communicate critical updates and information to taxpayers exclusively through digital channels.
These channels are also used for additional security features, such as OTPs, it said.
Missing updates from SARS could carry severe consequences if they contain requests that require timeous action, such as a request for supporting documentation or for payment.
Communication from SARS often contains time-sensitive information, such as:
- Audit notifications and verification requests;
- Final demands or payment reminders;
- Requests for supporting documentation;
- Assessment adjustments or penalty notices;
- Dispute or objection outcomes;
- Ignoring or missing the letters
can have significant implications, including penalties, legal enforcement, loss of tax compliance status or missed refunds and appeals.
