As the 2025 tax season approaches, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is urging taxpayers to take proactive steps and double-check their banking details. With an anticipated increase in auto-assessments, ensuring your banking information is up-to-date is crucial for a smooth filing experience and the timely receipt of any refunds due.
SARS will begin issuing auto-assessments starting 7 July 2025, meaning taxpayers have until 6 July 2025 to verify their details and ensure everything is in order. In this article, we’ll explore the importance of this process, the steps you can take to confirm your details, and how failing to update them could cause unnecessary delays.
Why Double-Checking Your Banking Details Matters
Ensuring your banking details are correct is more than just a formality. If SARS has inaccurate banking information on file, any refunds owed to you will not be processed successfully, leading to potential delays and frustration. This is particularly important for taxpayers who are expecting a refund from their tax filing.
The service has been pushing for a more digital approach, which includes the roll-out of auto-assessments in 2025. If a taxpayer agrees with their auto-assessment, there’s no need to accept it. Refunds will be paid automatically into the taxpayer’s registered bank account. However, if your banking details are incorrect, the refund will fail, and you’ll need to contact SARS to resolve the issue.
Here’s how you can ensure your banking details are correct:
- Log in to SARS eFiling
Visit the SARS eFiling website and check that your registered banking information is accurate. - Check Your Personal Information
Besides banking details, ensure your personal and security information is up-to-date, such as your email address and mobile number, so you can receive vital updates, including One-Time Pins (OTPs) needed for making changes. - Update Your Banking Details
If any banking information has changed, update it promptly by following the easy steps provided by SARS. Remember to confirm these changes with an OTP.
The Role of Auto-Assessments and How to Review Yours
From 7 July 2025, SARS will begin rolling out auto-assessments to eligible taxpayers. These assessments are designed to make tax filing easier by automatically determining whether you owe SARS money or if you’re due a refund. If you agree with the auto-assessment, there is no need to take further action unless your banking details are incorrect, as mentioned earlier.
Once you receive the notice, you can log in to either SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp to check your auto-assessment. All the data used to calculate your tax liability will be provided in the assessment notice.
What Happens If You Agree With Your Auto-Assessment?
If your auto-assessment confirms that a refund is due, you don’t need to ‘accept’ it. Simply log out, and the refund will be processed into the registered bank account. However, if the banking details are outdated or incorrect, the refund will not be processed, and you’ll need to take action.
What If You Don’t Agree With Your Auto-Assessment?
If you disagree with your auto-assessment, you’ll need to file your tax return through eFiling or the MobiApp. The due date for submitting the corrected return will be displayed in the notice. It is essential to meet this deadline to avoid penalties and interest.
Updating Contact and Security Details Is Essential
As SARS transitions fully to digital communication, ensuring that your contact details are accurate has never been more important. Incorrect contact details can prevent you from receiving critical communications such as audit notifications, final demands, or payment reminders. Failing to act on such notices can result in penalties or affect future filings.
To make sure you’re always in the loop with SARS, ensure the following details are up to date:
- Email address
- Mobile number
- Details of the registered representative for entities
You can easily check and update these details via SARS eFiling or the SARS MobiApp.
Step-by-Step Guide to Update Your Banking and Contact Information
1. How to Update Your Banking Details
To update your banking details, follow these simple steps:
- Log in to your eFiling account.
- Click on ‘Update My Personal Income Tax Bank Account’.
- Enter your bank name, branch code, account number, and account type.
- Confirm the details and submit. You’ll receive an OTP to confirm the changes.
2. How to Update Your Contact Details
For any changes to your email or mobile number:
- Log in to your eFiling account.
- Go to ‘My Profile’ and select ‘Profile and Preference Setup’.
- Scroll to the ‘Security Contact Details’ section, update your email or mobile number, and verify the change with an OTP.
Important: Make sure you click on ‘Done’ and ‘Submit’ to ensure your details are updated in the system.
ALSO READ: Tax Season 2025: When SARS Will Auto-Assess Your Return
With the 2025 tax season fast approaching, SARS is emphasising the importance of double-checking your banking details. Accurate information will ensure you receive your tax refund on time and prevent unnecessary delays. Whether you are waiting for a refund or filing an objection, staying on top of your contact and banking details is crucial for a smooth process.
Take the time to log into your SARS eFiling account today and confirm your details are correct. By doing so, you’ll ensure a hassle-free tax filing experience come 7 July 2025 and beyond.