Businesses that submit third-party data to SARS have until 31 October 2026 to report information for the period ended 31 August. Accurate data matters because SARS uses it to pre-populate and assess tax returns.
SARS has expanded its Global Minimum Tax administration to cover information exchange, GMT03 declarations, payment processing, assessments and penalties. South African entities within affected multinational groups should confirm their local responsibilities and internal controls.
SARS now allows taxpayers, registered representatives and tax practitioners to request the unmerging of incorrectly merged eFiling cases online. Businesses should review their tax profiles after any correction.
SARS’s October 2026 SMME guidance reminds businesses to confirm that the correct registered representative is linked and activated before managing tax affairs on eFiling.
SARS now allows taxpayers, registered representatives and tax practitioners to request the unmerging of incorrectly combined entity records directly on eFiling. Businesses should review their profiles before submitting tax returns or making payments.
SARS has confirmed an important 2026 filing-season change to the tax treatment of certain assessed losses. Sole traders and individuals with side-business income should review whether the revised Section 20A threshold affects their provisional tax estimates and record-keeping.
SARS has published requirements for companies seeking to qualify as a REIT, including asset, rental income, leverage, distribution and governance tests. Property groups should assess their financial reporting and tax controls before the rules apply to a new year of assessment.
The IASB is preparing proposed IFRS 18 amendments on how certain government-imposed charges are presented and disclosed. South African finance teams should monitor the proposal and assess whether their reporting systems can support more detailed tax analysis.
SARS has introduced several changes to the 2026 trust income-tax return process. Trustees and tax representatives should review their records now, rather than waiting until the 22 January 2027 filing deadline.
A Bill introduced in Parliament on 21 October 2026 proposes raising South Africa’s compulsory VAT registration threshold from R1 million to R2.3 million. SMEs should model the possible impact, but must not treat the proposal as enacted law yet.
From 16 October 2026, resident trusts must obtain a Tax Compliance Status Good Standing when presenting a Manual Letter of Compliance to an Authorised Dealer for certain fund transfers.
SARS’s Payment Advice Notice process gives businesses a practical way to reduce payment-allocation errors. A simple approval and reconciliation routine can help finance teams confirm that PAYE, VAT, income tax and other payments reach the correct SARS account.