How to File your Tax Returns

The SARS new MobiApp and eFiling site are ways to file taxes online. Taxpayers no longer have to stand in queues or travel long distances to file their taxes. eFiling is a free, secure online service that SARS created to let businesses, taxpayers, and tax practitioners register, submit tax returns and declarations, and make payments related to duties, contributions, taxes, and levies.

The MobiApp has new and more enhanced services that taxpayers can access with/without airtime or data. Taxpayers can now request an eBooking appointment, request a statement of appointment, and receive a Tax Registration Number. Taxpayers can also request to know whether or not to submit a tax return. These new additions benefit taxpayers by reducing the need to go to the physical office with the rise of COVID-19 in South Africa. Despite the coming of the eFiling system and MobiApp, some taxpayers prefer to visit physical Sars branches. Such taxpayers must send an SMS or call the Sars Contact Center to book an appointment. Those with no appointments will not be attended to.

This article discusses filing your tax returns using eFiling and Sars’ new MobiApp.

When does tax returns season start?

The tax filing season started on July 1st. Filing using the MobiApp or eFiling system that Sars currently has is beneficial because Sars temporarily closed its physical offices due to the third wave of coronavirus infections in South Africa. All taxpayers are, therefore, advised to file their taxes online.

Filing returns on eFiling and MobiApp

Taxpayers can choose to file their tax returns through the MobiApp, eFiling site, or at a physical Sars office. These are the steps to file returns using the MobiApp and the eFiling site.

How to file returns on the MobiApp

Download the MobiApp from the Google Play Store or the App Store on your smartphone or tablet.
Tap on MobiApp and register if you don’t have an account.
Enter your username and unique password to log in if you have an account.
Tap Tax Returns. You will see a pop-up message informing you SARS is generating your tax income returns.
The Form Creation Wizard will appear on your screen.
Please carefully read the message and ensure the year of assessment and the tax reference number are correct. The two are located at the top of your screen.
Click OK if they are correct.
Fill the various sections of the form wizard that apply to you. This will help SARS create a return that aligns with your situation.
Fill in all the information that is required of you and check all information against your documents.
The red sections indicate that you need to provide more information, while the Blue sections indicate that you have provided all the necessary information.
Collapse a completed section to move to the next section.
You must declare additional income, such as rental income.
Add all necessary information in the Deductions section and check that all the information is correct.
You can tap the Tax Calc to make a tax calculation based on your tax return before submitting it. The calculation will show the returns, and it will be saved automatically.
Your screen will display that you have successfully submitted your returns.
Then tap View Assessments and work in line with the prompts that will be displayed on your screen.
It will display your assessments and let you make payments if necessary.
Then select for audit or verification.

How to file returns on the eFiling site

Visit the SARS website at www.sarsefiling.co.za
Click log in on the right-hand side of the screen.
Type in your username and then click Next.
Then, type in your unique password. It should be strong and composed of characters and letters. For security purposes, do not share your eFiling password with anyone.
Then click login.
Check if your name appears under the Taxpayer List to ensure you haven’t logged into another person’s eFile page. Also, check that the page title reads INCOME TAX WORK PAGE. If it doesn’t, check the bottom left-hand side and click the RETURNS ISSUED button.

The Personal Income Tax (ITR12) will show on the menu on the left when Return Issues opens. Click Personal Income Tax (ITR12) to continue.
The page’s title will be returned as Search, and it will display the Personal Income Tax (ITR12) returns that you are working on.
Select a tax year from the selector box to the right of the page and then click Request Return. SARS will generate your tax returns for the year. However, if you have already created your tax return for the year and it is listed, you don’t have to do the next step.
Click Open on the right-hand side of the blue box.
Read the information pop-up and see your INCOME TAX WORK PAGE.
Click ITR12 under return type to take you to your tax return.
Respond to the questions that are required to give you a specific return.
Complete your eFiling form and submit it.

Requirements to file for tax returns

File an IRP5/IT3(a) Employees Tax Certificate if it applies to you.
File the certificates you received for foreign interest income, local interest income, and foreign dividend income.
If you are married in a community of property, you and your spouse need to submit the certificates that you (the taxpayer) and your spouse received.
File the certificates you received if you are married out of community property.
File documents that are related to your medical expenditure. Here are examples;
File a completed ITR-DD Confirmation of Disability form if you want to claim expenses related to disability.
Proof of qualifying medical expenses that you paid. Do not submit proof of medical expenses recovered by a medical scheme.
If you have a medical scheme, file the income tax certificate from your medical scheme that you received from March 1st to February 28th, 2025.
File receipts and documents of expenditures that are commission-related.
File all information that has to do with the letting of assets.
Have a logbook to claim business and travel deductions if you received a fringe benefit for a vehicle your employer provided or a travel allowance.
File financial statements for farming activities and trading if applicable.
Any other documents related to deductions you want to claim or documents or income that you must declare.

Tax season deadline

The 2025 tax filing season opens on 1 July. For individual taxpayers, the tax season ends on 24 October 2025, while provisional taxpayers can file their tax returns until January 2024 using MobiApp or eFiling.