Auto-Assessed Taxpayers: Missed the SARS filing deadline?

If you were auto-assessed by SARS, your deadline to submit a tax return was 20 October 2025. If you still want to submit a Tax return but did not file by this date, don’t panic, you can still sort it out. But you can’t just file late. You first need to request an extension.

Step 1: Request an Extension

Go to SARS eFiling and navigate to your Income Tax Work Page for 2025.
Click “Request for Extension” and give a valid reason, for example, you were ill, missing documents, or had technical issues over the deadline.

Then wait for SARS to approve your request before you try to file your tax return. You should receive a message confirming your new deadline.

Click here for detailed steps to Request an Extension.

Step 2: File Your Tax Return

Once your extension is approved, you should submit your tax return straight away.

If you tried to submit your tax return to SARS via TaxTim but it was rejected, then you need to select Request Correction to submit it again.

Remember, you need to add in any income or expenses which do not appear on your auto-assessment. For further details on auto-assessments, click here.

Step 3: Check for Penalties

If you missed the deadline, SARS will charge a late-filing penalty (from R250 up to R16,000 per month).
After filing, you can ask SARS to waive the penalty if your extension was approved or you had a valid reason for being late. For further details on SARS penalties, click here.

Step 4: Keep Your Proof

Save your extension approval letter and supporting documents, SARS may ask for them later.

The Bottom Line

If you missed the SARS tax deadline, act fast:
1. Request an extension
2. Wait for approval
3. File your tax return as soon as the extension is granted.

Staying compliant now will save you stress, penalties, and admin later.