How to Check Your SARS Auto-Assessment

A step-by-step guide to accessing and managing your SARS auto assessment through eFiling and the SARS MobiApp.

Step by step

1. Log in to eFiling or SARS MobiAppAccess your SARS profile through the eFiling website or the SARS MobiApp using your credentials.
2. Navigate to Auto-AssessmentLook for the 'Auto-Assessment' section or notification within your profile dashboard.
3. Review the AssessmentCarefully examine the assessment details provided by SARS, including income, deductions, and tax calculated.
4. Accept, Edit, or FileChoose to accept the assessment if correct, edit if there are discrepancies, or file your return accordingly.
5. Submit Your ReturnOnce satisfied with the assessment, submit your return through the platform to complete the process.

SARS auto assessment is a convenient service provided by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to simplify the tax return process for eligible taxpayers. By leveraging the data SARS already has, this service offers an estimated assessment that taxpayers can review and adjust if necessary.

Understanding how to check your SARS auto assessment is crucial for ensuring accuracy and compliance with tax regulations. This guide will walk you through the steps to access and manage your auto assessment using the SARS eFiling platform and the SARS MobiApp.

How do I access my SARS auto assessment?

How do I access my SARS auto assessment?

To access your SARS auto assessment, you need to log in to the SARS eFiling platform or use the SARS MobiApp. The auto assessment process is designed to simplify tax return submissions by providing you with a pre-populated assessment based on the data SARS has received from employers, financial institutions, and other third parties.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to accessing your SARS auto assessment:

• Log in to SARS eFiling: Visit the SARS eFiling website and enter your credentials to log in. If you are using the SARS MobiApp, open the app and log in with your details.
• Check for Auto Assessment Notification: Once logged in, navigate to the section where your tax returns are managed. If you are eligible for an auto assessment, you will receive a notification prompting you to review your assessment.
• Review the Assessment: Click on the notification or the relevant section to view your SARS auto assessment. The system will display an estimate of your tax liability or refund based on the information provided.
• Accept or Edit: If the information is correct and you are satisfied with the assessment, you can accept it and file your return. If you need to make changes, you can edit the details and then file your return.

It is important to carefully review the auto assessment to ensure all information is accurate. Here is a summary of the key steps and requirements:

By following these steps, you can efficiently manage your SARS auto assessment and ensure compliance with tax regulations. If you encounter any issues or have questions, consider consulting a tax professional or contacting SARS directly for assistance.

What is the SARS auto assessment process?

What is the SARS auto assessment process?

The SARS auto assessment process is an initiative by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) to simplify the tax return filing experience for taxpayers. Under this process, SARS uses the data it has received from employers, financial institutions, and other third parties to pre-populate your tax return. If you are eligible for a SARS auto assessment, you will receive a notification via SMS, email, or through the SARS MobiApp. This notification will inform you that your assessment has been prepared and is ready for review.

To access your SARS auto assessment, you need to log in to the SARS eFiling platform or the SARS MobiApp. Once logged in, you will be able to view the pre-populated tax return. You should carefully review the information provided to ensure its accuracy. The auto assessment is an estimate based on the data available to SARS, and it may not include all your relevant financial information. Therefore, you should verify that all details are correct and up-to-date.

If you agree with the assessment, you can accept it directly through the eFiling platform or the MobiApp. However, if you need to make changes or include additional information, you can edit the return before submitting it. Here are the key steps in the process:

• Log in to SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.
• Review the pre-populated tax return.
• Accept the assessment if all information is correct.
• Edit and update the return if necessary.
• Submit the final tax return.

For a clearer understanding, refer to the table below for a comparison of the traditional tax return process and the SARS auto assessment process:

By following these steps and understanding the comparison, you can efficiently manage your SARS auto assessment and ensure compliance with tax regulations.

What documents are needed for SARS auto assessment?

What documents are needed for SARS auto assessment?

When dealing with your SARS auto assessment, You should have all necessary documents on hand to ensure a smooth process. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has streamlined the assessment process, but having the right documents will help you verify the accuracy of your assessment and make any necessary adjustments.

Here are the key documents you should gather before logging into eFiling or the SARS MobiApp:

• IRP5/IT3(a) certificates: These certificates detail your income and the tax deducted by your employer or pension fund.
• Medical aid tax certificates: If you contribute to a medical aid, you’ll need your tax certificate to claim any medical expenses.
• Proof of income: This includes any additional income from sources such as rental properties, interest, or dividends.
• Receipts for deductible expenses: These could include retirement annuity contributions, travel expenses for business, or other eligible deductions.
• Donation receipts: If you’ve made donations to registered public benefit organizations, you’ll need the receipts to claim deductions.
• Logbook for travel expenses: If you use your vehicle for business purposes, a logbook is essential to claim travel expenses.

To help you better understand the documents required, here’s a compact table summarizing the key documents and their purposes:

By ensuring you have all these documents ready, you can effectively review your SARS auto assessment and make any necessary edits before filing your return. This will help you avoid potential errors and ensure compliance with SARS regulations.

How do I review and accept my SARS auto assessment?

How do I review and accept my SARS auto assessment?

To review and accept your SARS auto assessment, you need to access your tax account through the SARS eFiling platform or the SARS MobiApp. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

First, log in to your account on the SARS eFiling website or open the SARS MobiApp on your mobile device. If you have been auto-assessed, you will see a notification indicating that your assessment has been completed. This assessment is an estimate based on the information SARS has received from employers, financial institutions, and other third parties.

Once you have accessed your auto assessment, follow these steps:

• Review the assessment: Carefully examine the details of your auto assessment. Ensure that all your income sources, deductions, and rebates are accurately reflected.
• Check for discrepancies: If you notice any discrepancies or missing information, you may need to edit your return. This could include additional income, deductions, or credits not accounted for in the auto assessment.
• Accept or edit: If the assessment is accurate and complete, you can accept it. If not, edit the necessary sections to reflect the correct information. Make sure to have any relevant documents or proofs handy to support your changes.
• File your return: After reviewing and making any necessary edits, file your return. Ensure that you submit it before the deadline to avoid penalties.

For a clearer understanding of what to expect and what documents you might need, refer to the table below:

By following these steps, you can ensure that your SARS auto assessment is accurate and that you comply with all necessary tax filing requirements.

Can I edit my SARS auto assessment?

Can I edit my SARS auto assessment?

If you have received a SARS auto assessment, you might be wondering whether you can make changes to it. The good news is that you have the option to review, edit, and accept your SARS auto assessment. Here’s how you can do it:

First, you need to log in to the SARS eFiling platform or use the SARS MobiApp. Once you are logged in, navigate to the section where your SARS auto assessment is displayed. If you have been auto-assessed, you will see an estimate of your tax liability or refund. At this point, you have two main options:

• Accept the auto assessment: If you find that the SARS auto assessment is accurate and reflects your financial situation correctly, you can simply accept it. This will finalize your tax return for the year.
• Edit the auto assessment: If you believe that the auto assessment needs adjustments, you can edit it. This might be necessary if you have additional income, deductions, or credits that were not accounted for in the auto assessment. Once you have made the necessary changes, you can file your return with the updated information.

It’s important to carefully review your SARS auto assessment to ensure that all information is correct. If you choose to edit the assessment, make sure to have all relevant documents and information on hand to support your changes. This might include IRP5/IT3(a) certificates, medical aid tax certificates, and other financial records.

For a quick reference, here is a table summarizing the key steps and options for handling your SARS auto assessment:

By following these steps, you can ensure that your SARS auto assessment is correct and that your tax obligations are met accurately.

Are there any fees for SARS auto assessment?

Are there any fees for SARS auto assessment?

When it comes to the SARS auto assessment process, it’s important to note that there are no additional fees imposed by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for using this service. The SARS auto assessment is a convenient feature designed to simplify the tax return process for eligible taxpayers. However, while there are no fees associated with the auto assessment itself, you should be aware of the potential implications of accepting or editing your assessment.

If you choose to accept the SARS auto assessment without making any changes, the process is entirely free. This is because SARS has already calculated your tax liability based on the information they have on file. However, if you decide to edit your return after receiving the auto assessment, you may need to consider other factors that could affect your tax situation. For instance, if your edits result in additional tax owed, you will be responsible for paying this amount by the designated deadline.

Here are some key points to keep in mind regarding the SARS auto assessment:

• No fees for auto assessment: There are no charges for the auto assessment service provided by SARS.
• Review and edit: You can review the auto assessment and make changes if necessary without incurring fees.
• Payment of additional tax: If your edits result in additional tax owed, you must pay this amount by the specified deadline.

To access your SARS auto assessment, you can log in to eFiling or use the SARS MobiApp. If you are auto-assessed, you will be able to review the estimate provided by SARS and decide whether to accept it or edit and file your return. This process is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly, ensuring that you can manage your tax affairs efficiently.

What is the deadline for SARS auto assessment submission?

What is the deadline for SARS auto assessment submission?

To ensure timely processing and avoid penalties, You should submit your SARS auto assessment by the stipulated deadline. For the 2023 tax season, the deadline for non-provisional taxpayers is 23 October 2023. If you are a provisional taxpayer, the deadline extends to 31 January 2024. These deadlines apply to submissions via the SARS eFiling platform or the SARS MobiApp, where you can review your SARS auto assessment.

If you have been auto-assessed by SARS, you will receive a notification through SMS or email. It is important to log in to eFiling or the SARS MobiApp to review the assessment. Upon reviewing, you have the option to either accept the assessment or edit and file your return if you believe there are discrepancies or additional information to include.

Here are the key steps to follow:

• Log in: Access your SARS eFiling account or open the SARS MobiApp.
• Review: Check the auto-assessment details provided by SARS.
• Accept or Edit: If the assessment is accurate, accept it. If not, make the necessary edits.
• File: Submit your return after reviewing or editing.

To help you understand the deadlines and submission methods, refer to the table below:

By adhering to these deadlines and following the outlined steps, you can ensure a smooth process for your SARS auto assessment submission. Remember, timely submission helps avoid unnecessary penalties and keeps your tax affairs in order.

CluedUp is an independent guide and is not affiliated with any government agency. Fees, links and steps can change — always confirm on the official portal before you act. This is general information, not legal or financial advice.