The 2026 tax filing season has officially opened, and millions of taxpayers have already received their SARS auto-assessments.
For many taxpayers, the auto-assessment process can make filing season simpler. However, receiving an auto-assessment does not mean you should automatically accept it without reviewing the information carefully.
What is an auto-assessment?
An auto-assessment is prepared by SARS using information received from employers, financial institutions, medical schemes, retirement annuity funds and other third parties.
SARS uses this information to calculate your tax position. Depending on the information available, you may be due a refund or may have an amount payable.
What if you agree with your auto-assessment?
If you have reviewed the information and agree that it is correct, no action is required.
Your auto-assessment will be processed based on the information available to SARS.
However, it is still a good idea to carefully review the details before deciding that everything is correct.
What if you disagree with your auto-assessment?
If you believe the information is incorrect, incomplete or does not accurately reflect your tax affairs, you should take action.
You may need to:
Dispute the auto-assessment; or
File a tax return with the correct and complete information.
This could be relevant where information is missing or incorrect, such as:
Employment income
Additional income
Medical aid information
Retirement annuity contributions
Qualifying deductions
Other relevant tax information
Important deadline for non-provisional taxpayers
The deadline for non-provisional taxpayers to dispute their auto-assessment or file a tax return has been extended to:
23 October 2026
This gives taxpayers additional time to review their auto-assessment and ensure that the information submitted to SARS is accurate.
Don’t simply click “accept” without checking
An auto-assessment is based on the information available to SARS. If that information is incomplete or incorrect, your assessment may not accurately reflect your actual tax position.
Taking the time to review your auto-assessment can help you identify potential errors and ensure that your tax affairs are properly addressed before the deadline.
Need help with your 2026 tax filing?
Tax filing season can be confusing, especially when you are unsure whether your auto-assessment is correct or whether you need to submit additional information.
At Nett Solutions, we help individuals and businesses with accounting and tax-related matters, helping you navigate your obligations with confidence.
The goal is simple: accurate tax information, better compliance and greater peace of mind.
Remember: If you are a non-provisional taxpayer and disagree with your auto-assessment, the deadline is 23 October 2026.
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