The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has officially discontinued the use of printed and posted system-generated letters, marking a permanent shift to fully digital engagement with taxpayers. This change requires individuals to ensure their eFiling profiles and digital contact details are accurate and up to date. The move also heightens the need for taxpayers to be vigilant about scams, especially during tax season. This shift marks a significant milestone in SARS’ digitisation strategy, aimed at modernising its communication systems and streamlining taxpayer engagement.
Key Takeaways
- SARS Shifts to Fully Digital Communication: From 31 May 2025, SARS will no longer send system-generated letters by post, requiring all taxpayers to manage correspondence through eFiling or the SARS MobiApp. This change is aimed at improving delivery efficiency and cutting operational costs.
- Spike in Scams Expected During Filing Season: Phishing and fraud attempts are expected to increase significantly during tax season, with scammers imitating official SARS communications to steal personal or financial information. These scams often use urgency and fear tactics to deceive recipients.
- Ignoring Legitimate SARS Notices Can Be Costly: Failure to respond to digital correspondence may lead to penalties, legal enforcement, or even direct withdrawals from taxpayer bank accounts. All official letters now appear solely in eFiling profiles and the MobiApp.
About Arcadia Finance
Get the loan you need with ease through Arcadia Finance. Choose from 19 trusted, NCR-compliant lenders with no application fees. Our simple, fast process ensures you access reliable options tailored to your financial situation, quick, secure, and stress-free.
Warning Issued Over Rise in Tax-Related Scams
As part of its preliminary guidance for the 2025 tax season, SARS has flagged a notable increase in phishing activity and other fraud-related threats. These scams are expected to intensify over the next few months as the volume of communication between SARS and the public increases, creating opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit unsuspecting individuals. Cybercrime experts have warned that this period is a goldmine for fraud syndicates who capitalise on public confusion and urgency during filing season.
SARS Goes Fully Electronic from 31 May 2025
From 31 May 2025, SARS has ceased all physical mail services for system-generated communications. All formal correspondence, such as assessments, notices, and demands, will now be delivered exclusively through digital platforms, including the taxpayer’s eFiling account and other designated online channels. This adjustment is designed to reduce administrative delays, eliminate dependency on external mailing services, and allow for faster, more reliable, and environmentally sustainable communication.
This change also represents a cost-saving measure, freeing SARS from the logistical burden of nationwide print-and-mail operations.
More Scams Expected as Digital Shift Accelerates
With physical letters no longer in use, the shift to digital has brought about a surge in email and SMS-based scams. Criminals are expected to continue mimicking SARS correspondence in increasingly sophisticated ways in an attempt to collect sensitive personal data or mislead taxpayers into transferring funds under false pretences. These fraudulent messages often include realistic branding, fabricated reference numbers, and false claims of tax penalties. In many cases, scammers are now using artificial intelligence and spoofing technology to make their communications appear even more authentic.
Ahead of the filing season, scammers are known to impersonate SARS by sending emails or SMSes that appear legitimate. These messages often carry names like returns@sars.co.za or refunds@sars.co.za and include convincing reference codes and branding. Common scam types include fake letters of demand, claims of blacklisting, or notices of delayed payments due to FICA compliance checks. These fraudulent notices often create a sense of urgency, pressuring recipients to act immediately without verifying the authenticity of the request.
Targeted Scams Against Individuals and Businesses
Scam attempts tend to vary in format. For individuals, the messages may reference unpaid tax, threats of court action, or suspension of refunds. For businesses, the focus often shifts to customs payments or overdue tax debts. These scams usually rely on urgent language and threats in order to create fear and pressure recipients into providing personal details or making payments. Some businesses have reported significant financial losses after unknowingly responding to fake SARS communications, thinking they were settling legitimate tax matters.
Common Traits of SARS Scams
Most scam emails or SMSes aim to mislead users into clicking malicious links or downloading attachments, often PDFs, that are designed to capture login credentials or financial information. These fraudulent messages have recently been seen focusing on several themes:
- Allegations that SARS has issued a summons
- Claims that SARS is blacklisting taxpayers
- Notifications of stop orders being placed on accounts
- Claims of outstanding refunds or debts
- Delayed payments supposedly due to FICA review
Examples of these fraudulent messages can be found on SARS’s dedicated scam awareness page. This repository is frequently updated, giving taxpayers a real-time look at the latest scam formats being circulated.
How to Identify and Protect Against SARS Scams
To avoid falling victim to phishing scams, SARS has provided key guidance. South Africans are reminded:
- Do not open emails from unknown or suspicious senders.
- Never provide personal, banking, or eFiling login details via email or SMS.
- SARS will never request banking details via post, email, or SMS. While telephonic authentication may involve confirmation of identity, SARS does not send banking-related hyperlinks.
- Do not trust links, especially those claiming to redirect to banks.
- SARS does not send attachments with .htm or .html extensions.
- SARS will never request credit card information.
Phishing attempts or scam messages can be reported directly by emailing phishing@sars.gov.za. The tax authority is urging South Africans to bookmark this address and treat any suspicious message with immediate caution.
Respond to SARS Communication: Don’t Assume It’s a Scam
While remaining cautious, taxpayers must not fall into the trap of ignoring legitimate SARS correspondence. With all system-generated communications now fully electronic, it is essential for taxpayers to monitor their eFiling accounts and SARS MobiApp regularly for important notices. Failure to check your digital profile may result in missing critical deadlines or losing your compliant tax status.
Time-sensitive communications from SARS may include:
- Notifications regarding audits or verifications
- Final demands for payment
- Requests for supporting documentation
- Notices of penalties or adjustments
- Objection or dispute outcomes
Failure to respond to these could result in serious consequences, including penalties, missed appeals, or even legal enforcement actions. Even a short delay in response could trigger automated penalty mechanisms or enforcement instructions.
Legal Consequences for Ignoring SARS Notices
SARS has full legal authority to enforce collection actions if taxpayers ignore legitimate correspondence. This includes initiating direct withdrawals from a taxpayer’s bank account to settle outstanding debts. This action can be taken without the account holder’s consent if previous demands go unanswered.
It has been confirmed in several court rulings that SARS is entitled to take this approach. Cases have shown that individuals who dismissed system-generated letters as scams, only to later find their bank accounts debited, were still held liable. Taxpayers cannot claim ignorance as a defence; if unsure about a communication’s legitimacy, they are still expected to follow up through official SARS channels. The law places the burden of action squarely on the taxpayer, not the tax authority.
Where to Find Official SARS Correspondence
All legitimate notices and letters issued by SARS will be visible in the taxpayer’s eFiling account or via the SARS MobiApp. Any messages received outside these platforms should be verified through official communication lines. Taxpayers are advised to activate notifications and regularly log in to both platforms during tax season to avoid missing critical updates.
Filing Season 2025 Dates
Taxpayers should keep the following SARS deadlines in mind for the 2025 season:
| Filing Category | Opening Date | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-Assessments | 7 July 2025 | 20 July 2025 |
| Individual Filers | 21 July 2025 | 20 October 2025 |
| Provisional Taxpayers | 21 July 2025 | 19 January 2026 |
| Trusts | 21 July 2025 | 19 January 2026 |
These dates are critical to avoid late filing penalties or missed returns. SARS has confirmed that auto-assessed taxpayers who do not respond within the given timeframe will be deemed to have accepted the outcome, closing the door for disputes or corrections.
Conclusion
With SARS transitioning entirely to digital communication for the 2025 tax season, South African taxpayers must remain alert and proactive. While the new system promises faster and more reliable service, it also increases the risk of scams mimicking official notices. Keeping contact details up to date, regularly checking eFiling or the MobiApp, and verifying any suspicious messages are now essential steps to avoid falling victim to fraud or missing critical tax deadlines.
Fast, uncomplicated, and trustworthy loan comparisons
At Arcadia Finance, you can compare loan offers from multiple lenders with no obligation and free of charge. Get a clear overview of your options and choose the best deal for you.
Fill out our form today to easily compare interest rates from 19 banks and find the right loan for you.
