The SARS deadline is 23 October. Here’s what you actually need to do

If you haven’t filed your 2026 tax return yet, the clock is ticking. Non-provisional taxpayers have until Friday, 23 October 2026. Miss it, and SARS starts charging you every month, even if you don’t owe them a cent.

We’ve had the same handful of questions come through the office in Bloemfontein over the past few weeks. Here are the big ones, answered straight.

Do I even need to file?

Maybe. A lot of people assume that if they earn one salary and don’t owe SARS anything, they can skip it. Often that’s true. But the moment you earn something on the side, rent out a flat, draw income from more than one place, or want to claim back medical or retirement contributions, you need to file. And if SARS has asked you for a return and you ignore it, the penalties come whether you owe tax or not.

SARS auto-assessed me. Am I done?

If you agree with the assessment, yes. You don’t need to click anything, and any refund or payment runs automatically.

But check the numbers first. Auto-assessments are built from the data SARS already holds, so they often miss things like rental income, a travel allowance, or deductions you’re entitled to. If yours is wrong, you have to fix it and file your own return by 23 October. Accepting a wrong assessment doesn’t protect you. If it understates your income, SARS can come back later with interest and a penalty. If it overstates your tax, you quietly pay more than you should.

What happens if I miss 23 October?

SARS charges an admin penalty for every month your return is late. It starts at R250 a month, climbs with your income up to R16,000 a month, and can run for as long as 35 months. Interest gets added on top. The clock starts the day after the deadline, so a return that’s “only a bit late” still costs you real money.

I run a business or earn rental income. Is my deadline different?

Probably. If you earn income that isn’t taxed through a payslip, you’re likely a provisional taxpayer, and your deadline is 22 January 2027. That sounds far off. But provisional tax has its own estimates and payments, and leaving it to January is how good businesses end up with a nasty surprise. If you’re not sure which type you are, ask us. It takes five minutes to check.

Should I wait until the last week?

No. SARS tends to pay refunds faster earlier in the season. Leave it to the final week and you join a queue of millions. Filing sooner also gives us time to catch anything that looks off before the door closes.

Get it sorted before 23 October

If your return still isn’t done, bring it to us. We’ll check that SARS has your numbers right, claim back everything you’re owed, and file it properly before the deadline. Call or WhatsApp Sylvia on 064 682 2339, or email sylvia@consyltaxes.co.za. Don’t give SARS a reason to charge you.