The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has officially discontinued the printing and posting of all system-generated letters, effective 31 May 2025. From this date forward, all Sars correspondence will be delivered electronically via eFiling and other digital platforms.

This development is in line with Sars’s ongoing digital transformation strategy aimed at improving operational efficiency, reducing reliance on third-party service providers, ensuring faster delivery of communication, and supporting environmental sustainability initiatives.

The Importance of Keeping Your Sars Registered Details Up to Date

Now that Sars has moved entirely to digital correspondence, taxpayers must ensure that their contact and profile information is accurate and regularly maintained. This includes:

• An active and accessible email address linked to your Sars profile
• Updated mobile numbers for notifications
• Correct details of the registered representative for entities
• Regular access to your Sars eFiling account or MobiApp

Failure to maintain up-to-date information may result in missed communications, with serious consequences for your tax compliance status.

Consequences of Ignoring Sars Correspondence

System-generated letters from Sars often contain time-sensitive information such as:

• Audit notifications and verification requests
• Final demands or payment reminders
• Requests for supporting documentation
• Assessment adjustments or penalty notices
• Dispute or objection outcomes

Ignoring or missing these letters can have significant implications, including:

1.      Penalties and Interest
Missed deadlines may trigger automatic administrative penalties and the accrual of interest on unpaid taxes.

2.      Legal Enforcement
Failure to respond to demands or audit requests could lead to collection actions, such as garnishee orders or asset seizure.

3.      Loss of Tax Compliance Status
Your tax compliance status may be negatively affected, which can impact business operations, tender applications, or international emigration processes.

4.      Missed Refunds or Appeals
Certain actions, such as appealing an assessment or claiming a refund, are subject to strict time limits. Delays caused by missed correspondence may result in forfeiting your rights or delaying funds due to you.

What Taxpayers Should Do

To adapt to this change and remain compliant, Sars encourages taxpayers to:

• Log into their Sars eFiling profile and review and update all registered details
• Monitor their eFiling inbox regularly for new correspondence
• Respond promptly to all Sars communications
• Engage the services of a registered tax practitioner if assistance is required

Final Thoughts

This change reflects Sars’s commitment to a more modern, efficient, and responsive revenue service. However, it also shifts more responsibility to taxpayers and their representatives to remain informed and proactive.

Ensuring that your contact details are current, and that Sars correspondence is not overlooked is now more critical than ever. A single missed letter could have long-lasting consequences.

For professional assistance in updating your Sars profile or handling Sars correspondence, consult a qualified tax practitioner to ensure your compliance remains intact.

Written by Lambert Roberts, Expatriate Tax Team Manager at Tax Consulting SA