This is what you need to know about Tax Season 2025

Tax season in South Africa doesn't have to feel like an overwhelming exam you forgot to study for. Whether you're a salaried employee, freelancer, or business owner, understanding your obligations and your opportunities can make all the difference.

We roped in Natasha Lorde, affectionately known as Tash the Tax Specialist to unpack the key dates, common mistakes, and smart strategies to take the stress out of filing. From auto-assessments to allowable deductions, here’s what you need to know to stay compliant, maximise your return, and keep SARS off your back.

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Glamour: It’s tax season in South Africa—what are the key dates individuals and business owners should keep in mind?

Tash: The first thing is that not knowing which dates you need to file your taxes can greatly impact your tax compliance and your overall anxiety around tax. Missing these deadlines results in unnecessary penalties and increases the feeling that taxes are like an exam you haven’t studied for.

This year:

Individuals who earn a salary might receive an auto-assessment between 7–21 July. If you get one, you’ll receive an SMS or email letting you know. It’s important not to ignore it — and also to check it!
Individuals who are non-provisional taxpayers (i.e. those who were not auto-assessed) — their tax season opens 21 July and closes 20 October.
Individuals who earn extra income from a side hustle, rental income, or interest income, as well as freelancers, are provisional taxpayers. Their filing closes 19 January 2026.
Business owners usually have their financial year end in February and need to file every six months — February and August. (It’s important to note that some financial years are different; the date appears on the company certificate, and you must file every six months from that month.)

Everyone should mark these in their calendar like they would a friend’s birthday — because missing them comes with more hassle than it’s worth.

Glamour: What are some of the most common mistakes people make when filing?

Tash: Number one? Rushing. People panic in October, rush a submission, and forget deductions or upload the wrong documents. The other big one is treating the auto-assessment like gospel — accepting it without checking if it’s right. And then there’s the emotional side: avoiding filing altogether because “I’ll deal with it later.” Later becomes “Oops, penalty.” People also assume that if SARS hasn’t said anything, they don’t need to do anything. Being proactive about your taxes is the best thing you can do for yourself.

Glamour: Who must file a tax return this year, and who is exempt?

Tash: If you earn over R95,750 a year, have more than one income stream, or earn from investments, you must file. Some people earning below that with one employer are exempt — but here’s the thing: even if you think you’re exempt, check anyway. Sometimes SARS owes you money, and you wouldn’t know unless you file. That’s one of my favourite phone calls to make: “You’re actually getting a refund.” I’ve had a client who was technically exempt from filing and SARS was charging her penalties for non-submission. I’ve also had a client who was technically exempt but, because she had medical aid, she got an unexpected refund. It always pays to file nonetheless.

Glamour: Any changes to the SARS filing process in 2025?

Tash: Auto-assessments are faster, and verification deadlines are shorter. That means you can’t procrastinate if SARS asks for documents — which is great to see.

Glamour: For salaried employees with PAYE deducted, what do they need before filing?

Tash: A good understanding of their personalised tax obligations. This could include an IRP5 (in some cases, it doesn’t appear on their eFiling account and must be manually submitted), out-of-pocket medical aid expenses, retirement annuity certificates, and any receipts for claims like travel or home office. If you earn extra income from a side hustle or rental property, you may need financial statements. Knowing which obligations you have gives you time to prepare and stops you from tracking things you don’t need to — so no, not everyone needs to keep every single receipt.

Glamour: If my employer already submits my IRP5 to SARS, do I still need to file?

Tash: Most of the time, yes. The IRP5 tells SARS about your salary, but it doesn’t tell them about deductions you could claim or extra income you earned. Filing is your chance to tell your full tax story.

Glamour: Are there deductions full-time employees miss?

Tash: So many! Medical aid contributions, travel claims if you have a logbook, retirement contributions above what your employer deducts, home office expenses if you work from home, and financial statements if you earn extra income. These can make a big difference — sometimes enough to turn a balance owed into a refund.

Glamour: Advice for first-time filers who are newly employed?

Tash: Start as you mean to go on. Speak to someone about how your taxes apply to you, don’t try to figure it out on your own. Get into the habit of regular check-ins, like you would with your doctor. Practically: create a “tax folder” in your email or cloud now, and every time you get a payslip, a certificate, or any relevant document, drop it in. That way, when filing season comes, you’re not playing hide-and-seek with your own paperwork — and you’re not scrambling to figure out what applies to you.

Glamour: How should freelancers keep track of income and expenses?

Tash: One word: separation. Keep your business and personal accounts apart. When you mix them, your finances start to feel like that kitchen drawer — the one with the wires, batteries, and birthday candles. Having separate bank accounts makes it easier to track business and personal expenses, and recording these in a spreadsheet or accounting software helps with reporting.

Glamour: Allowable deductions for freelancers?

Tash: The rule of thumb is: any expense incurred “in the pursuit of revenue.” Because freelancers are the business, the list can vary. It has to be applied with discernment. Examples include office rent, internet, phone, advertising, insurance, training courses, travel, and subscriptions.

Glamour: Should you register as a provisional taxpayer?

Tash: If you earn more than R30,000 outside your salary, or you’re a freelancer, yes. Businesses are automatically registered for provisional tax. Provisional tax is a way to spread your tax bill into two (sometimes three) payments, so you’re not hit with a big lump sum at the end of the year.

Glamour: Best way to manage taxes with inconsistent income or multiple sources?

Tasha: If you’ve done your provisional tax, you’ll have estimated your taxes for the year, making it easier to budget and set aside the amount needed. Otherwise, treat every payment you receive like it’s not all yours — put a percentage aside immediately.

Glamour: Difference between sole proprietor and Pty Ltd for tax?

Tash: With a sole proprietorship, you and the business are the same person in SARS’s eyes — you pay personal income tax on profits, you don’t have to register the business, and you file a personal tax return.

Tash: A Pty Ltd is a separate registered legal entity and legal personality: it pays corporate tax, and you pay tax on what you earn from it. It has limited liability, meaning the business’s obligations generally don’t affect the personal assets of the directors. Pty Ltds can look more professional — sole proprietors often find they can’t qualify for certain projects, loans, or grants. Sole proprietors are easier to start and manage, with less admin.

Glamour: How can small business owners stay compliant?

Tash: Know that your business tax obligations begin from the day it’s registered. Many people think that because a business hasn’t traded — or they’ve forgotten about it — they’re compliant. No. Every business has an obligation to file three tax returns twice a year. That means reconciling your books (if you’ve traded), filing returns on time, and responding to SARS letters immediately.

Glamour: Any incentives or tax breaks for business owners?

Tash: Yes — tax rates can range from 0%–27%, meaning not every business pays tax regardless of profit. There are learnership allowances, property investment incentives, solar and green energy initiatives, and many industry or location-specific incentives. But you only benefit if you know about them, which is why advice is so important.

Glamour: What role does a tax practitioner play for small business?

Tash: We’re like your financial GPS. We don’t just help you get to your destination — we reroute you when you’ve gone off track. Often in consultations, people feel like their books are the worst mess I’ll ever see. I always tell them: “I’m here for this. I know how to get you back on track.”

Glamour: What should people know about the auto-assessment process?

Tash: It’s convenient, but it’s only as accurate as the data SARS has. If something’s missing, it won’t show — so always check it against your own documents and what you know needs to be declared or claimed.

Glamour: If you’re not happy with your auto-assessment?

Tash: Don’t “accept” it. Once you do, it’s locked. Edit it, submit your own return, and make sure your numbers tell the right story. You have until the end of tax season to do this.

Glamour: Tips for navigating SARS eFiling?

Tash: eFiling can feel intimidating because it speaks the language of tax accountants. For a new user, it’s daunting. Make sure your profile is set up and your contact details are correct. There are tutorial videos on YouTube to help you navigate.

Glamour: How long do refunds take?

Tash: If all goes well, 3–7 working days. Delays usually happen because SARS wants verification, your banking or contact details don’t match, or they’re simply under capacity.

Glamour: Common reasons for penalties or audits?

Tash: Late filing, underreporting income, or claiming without proof. SARS’s systems are built to pick up mismatches — so always be prepared to back up what you claim.

Glamour: What if you get a letter of demand from SARS?

Tash: Don’t panic — but don’t ignore it either. Read it, see what’s needed, and act before the deadline. The longer you wait, the fewer options you have to resolve it.

Glamour: Best systems for staying organised?

Tash: SmartMoney (www.getsmartmoney.co.za) is like having a CFO in your pocket — you can calculate your taxes, diagnose your tax state, build SARS-ready reports, and manage it all in one place. Also use cloud storage and accounting software like QuickBooks that links to your bank. The easier you make it, the more likely you are to stick with it.

Glamour: How to make tax season less stressful next year?

Tash: Do small check-ins throughout the year. It’s easier to fix a R500 slip-up in March than a R50,000 surprise in October.

Glamour: Should people set aside a percentage of income for tax monthly? Yes — either monthly, or every time you receive income if your employer doesn’t deduct tax for you.

Glamour: Biggest tax myth South Africans believe?

Tash: “That SARS doesn’t care about me” or “I’m too small to be noticed.” Trust me — they notice.

Glamour: One piece of advice for young professionals or new entrepreneurs?

Tasha: Start your career with good habits. Learn how tax works for you, not just in theory. It’s not about loving tax — it’s about loving the freedom that comes from not being blindsided by it.

Glamour: Why is financial literacy, especially around tax, so important?

Tasha: Because tax is one of the biggest bills you’ll pay in your life. If you don’t understand it, you’ll overpay, miss opportunities, and feel like you’re always playing catch-up. When you do understand it, you can make it work for you — and that changes everything.