When is my 2025 tax return due?

4 Jun 2025
The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has officially announced the filing dates for the 2025 tax season, and it’s essential for taxpayers to stay ahead of these deadlines. Understanding these dates will help ensure compliance and avoid unnecessary penalties.
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Important Tax Season Dates

SARS has outlined the following key dates for the 2025 tax season:

  • Auto-Assessments: SARS will begin rolling out auto-assessments from 7 July 2025 to 20 July 2025. Taxpayers who qualify for auto-assessment will receive notifications via SMS or email.

  • Individual Taxpayers (Non-Provisional): The tax season officially opens on 21 July 2025 and runs until 20 October 2025. Non-Provisional Taxpayers are mostly employees working for companies getting payslips.

  • Provisional Taxpayers & Trusts: The filing period for provisional taxpayers and trusts will be from 21 July 2025 to 19 January 2026. Provisional Taxpayers are mostly business owners.

What you need to do?

If you haven't received an SMS or email for an auto-assessment by Monday, the 21st of July 2025, you can log into SARS e-filing and submit your tax return online.

Be on the lookout

During the tax season, many scammers may try to target you into thinking you are dealing with SARS. How to stay safe:

  • SARS will never send links for you to click.
  • Never share your passwords or One Time PINs (OTPs) with anyone - even SARS or banking officials.
  • Only use the official SARS website.
  • If you are unsure, you can chat to a SARS representative by phoning 0800 00 7277. This call is free from any landline or cellphone within South Africa.

What period does the 2025 tax return cover?

In South Africa, your 2025 personal income tax return covers the period you were employed or earned an income from 1 March 2024 to 28 February 2025. You are taxed according to the SARS tax rates which can be found here.

What must I have to submit my tax return?

In order to submit your tax return as completely as possible and for your own benefit with regards to a possible refund you must have the following ready if it applies to you:

  • Your completed logbook if you have received a travel allowance. Make sure you complete the opening and closing kilometres both at the top and every line entry, the date, total travelled and business travel details. You do not need to list personal travel items or complete the actual fuel and maintenance expenses.
  • Your medical aid certificate (should be on e-filing already) and out of pocket medical expense receipts (will not be on e-filing).
  • Your retirement funding contribution certificate (pension or provident fund). Should be on e-filing already.
  • Your IRP5 from your employer(s) (free on openHR). Should be on e-filing already.
  • If you are one of the lucky ones working from home, you should have photos, measurements and related expenses like phone, internet and electricity of the office compared to the total of the house.
  • Donation certificates.
  • Interest certificates from banks. Should be on e-filing already.
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