SARS eFiling8 min read

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.

Published 1 July 2025

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. Select the correct tax year (e.g. 2025 for the March 2024 – February 2025 period). 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 11(k)), 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 article is based on the South African Income Tax Act and published SARS Interpretation Notes as at the 2024/2025 tax year. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax advice. Tax legislation changes periodically — consult a registered tax practitioner for advice on your specific situation.

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