SARS eFiling 2026: How to File Your Tax Return in South Africa

Filing your tax return on SARS eFiling sounds intimidating, but for most salary earners it takes about 30 minutes and can result in a welcome refund. This guide walks you through the entire process for the 2026 filing season.

Who Must File a Tax Return?

You must submit a tax return if any of the following apply:

• You earned more than R500,000 in total during the tax year
• You received income from more than one source (e.g. two employers, or a salary plus freelance work)
• You earned additional income such as rental income, interest above the exemption, or foreign income
• You want to claim deductions such as retirement annuity contributions, medical expenses or travel
• You received a travel allowance or company car benefit
• SARS specifically requested that you file

Even if you are not required to file, it is often worth doing so — you may be owed a refund.

2026 Filing Season Deadlines

Note: SARS announces exact dates each year. Many salary earners now receive an auto-assessment, where SARS pre-fills your return and you simply confirm it.

Documents You Will Need

• IRP5/IT3(a) — your tax certificate from your employer (usually pre-loaded)
• Medical aid tax certificate — showing contributions and claims
• Retirement annuity certificate — showing your contributions
• IT3(b) — interest and investment income certificates from your bank
• Travel logbook — if you received a travel allowance
• Any other income documentation — rental, freelance, etc.

Step-by-Step: Filing on eFiling

• Step 1: Register or log in at sarsefiling.gov.za (or use the SARS MobiApp)
• Step 2: Open your Income Tax Return (ITR12) for the relevant year
• Step 3: Check the pre-populated information from your IRP5 and bank — SARS fills in most of it automatically
• Step 4: Add any deductions: RA contributions, medical expenses, travel claims, home office
• Step 5: Review the calculated result — eFiling shows whether you owe SARS or are due a refund
• Step 6: Submit. You will receive an ITA34 assessment confirming the outcome

Getting Your Refund

If you have overpaid tax during the year — common if you have RA contributions or medical expenses that were not fully accounted for in your monthly PAYE — SARS will refund the difference. Refunds are typically paid into your bank account within 72 hours of a successful assessment, provided your banking details are verified and you have no outstanding returns.

Want to understand how your monthly tax is calculated in the first place? Use our salary calculator or read our guide to SARS tax brackets.