SARS eFiling · 8 min

How to File Your Tax Return on SARS eFiling (Step-by-Step)

A practical walkthrough of the entire SARS eFiling process - from registering your profile to submitting your ITR12 and checking your assessment.1 July 2025Updated 6 October 2026 All articles

1. Register on SARS eFiling

Visit efiling.sars.gov.za and click 'Register'. You'll need your South African ID number, contact details, and a valid email address. SARS will send a one-time PIN (OTP) to verify your identity. If you've previously registered but forgot your password, use the 'Forgot Password' or 'Forgot Username' links rather than creating a new account - duplicate accounts cause compliance issues.

2. Request Your ITR12

Once logged in, navigate to Returns → Tax Returns → Request Return. For Filing Season 2026, select tax year 2026 (1 March 2025 – 28 February 2026). SARS will generate a pre-populated ITR12 with data from your employer's IRP5 submissions, your bank interest certificates (IT3(b)), and medical aid tax certificates. Always check that the pre-populated data is correct before proceeding.

3. Import Your IRP5 / IT3(a) Certificate

If your employer has submitted your IRP5 to SARS, it should auto-populate in Section A of your ITR12. Verify: source code 3601 (salary), 3605 (commission), 4001 (pension fund contributions), 4003 (medical aid employer contributions). If your IRP5 is missing, contact your employer - they are legally required to submit it. You can also manually capture it under 'Add a source of income'.

4. Declare Additional Income

Declare all income not on your IRP5: freelance/contract income (use source code 3616), rental income (code 4250), local interest income (code 4201), foreign dividends (code 4216), and capital gains. SARS cross-references with banks and third parties - omitting income is a criminal offence under the Tax Administration Act.

5. Claim Your Deductions

Complete the deductions sections: medical credits (Section 6A/6B), retirement annuity contributions (Section 11F), travel allowance (Section 8(1)(b)), home office (Section 23(b)), and other Section 11 trade expenses. For each deduction, you'll need supporting documents - SARS may request these during a verification or audit.

6. Submit and Check Your Assessment

Review the declaration, tick the confirmation box, and click Submit. SARS will issue an ITA34 assessment within seconds for most returns. If you owe tax, the amount and payment deadline will be shown. If you're due a refund, it typically reflects within 72 hours (but can take up to 21 business days). If your return is selected for verification, you'll receive a request for supporting documents - upload these via eFiling promptly.

Disclaimer: This is general guidance based on the South African Income Tax Act and published SARS Interpretation Notes as at the 2026/2027 year of assessment (1 March 2026 – 28 February 2027). It is not professional tax advice. Deductibility depends on your facts. Confirm current figures on sars.gov.za before you file.

Find the lines SARS will ask about in your bank statements

Upload bank statements. Taxzi flags lines that may qualify under SARS rules. Mixed shops stay out until you say what they were. You confirm every claim. This is guidance — not a filed return.

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