Filing season opened in July, and for most salaried South Africans it is now almost over. If you are a non-provisional taxpayer and SARS did not auto-assess you, or you disagreed with your auto-assessment, your 2026 return (ITR12) must be on eFiling by Friday, 23 October 2026.
Provisional taxpayers and trusts have longer — until 22 January 2027 — and we cover that later in the series. This post is for everyone on the October deadline.
Are you non-provisional?
You are generally non-provisional if your income is a salary or wage with PAYE deducted by your employer, and you don't earn material income from a business, freelance work, rental property or investments above SARS's thresholds. If you have a side income, check your status before assuming October applies to you.
Four weeks is enough — if you start now
Gather these before you open eFiling:
- IRP5/IT3(a) certificates from every employer you worked for between 1 March 2025 and 28 February 2026
- IT3(b) and IT3(c) certificates for interest, dividends and share disposals
- Medical aid tax certificate, plus receipts for out-of-pocket medical expenses you intend to claim
- Retirement annuity certificates (the contribution deduction is claimed on your return)
- Travel logbook if you receive a travel allowance — business kilometres must be supported trip by trip
- Home office evidence if you work from home and meet SARS's strict requirements
- Section 18A receipts for donations to approved public benefit organisations
Check that SARS's pre-populated figures agree with your own documents. Pre-population saves time, but it is your return and your responsibility.
Common mistakes in the last month
- Leaving out a second employer's IRP5 after a job change
- Claiming travel without a logbook that would survive a verification request
- Forgetting interest on a savings account or money market fund
- Updating banking details at the last minute, which can delay refunds while SARS verifies the change
What if SARS asks for documents?
A verification or audit letter is routine, not an accusation. Upload exactly what is requested, clearly labelled, before the due date on the letter. Well-organised supporting documents are the fastest way to a finalised assessment.
If you need a hand
We prepare and submit personal tax returns from R950 excl. VAT, including checking pre-populated data and responding to SARS verification requests. See our tax returns service or pricing.
Dates are as published by SARS for the 2026 filing season. Always confirm deadlines on sars.gov.za before you file.
Need Help With This?
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