Professional Accounting & Tax Services in Gauteng | AT Accounting
Professional Accounting & Tax Services in Gauteng | AT Accounting
Comprehensive Tax Solutions with a Focus on Compliance, Planning, and Consulting
At AT Accounting, we specialise in providing expert tax and VAT services to help businesses and individuals stay compliant with SARS regulations and optimise their tax positions. With a focus on accuracy, efficiency, and compliance, we ensure your tax matters are handled with the highest level of expertise.
Our tax services for businesses cover everything from income tax planning to VAT administration. Our aim is to keep your business compliant with SARS while identifying opportunities to save on taxes.
Our Business Tax Services Include:
AT Accounting offers tax services focused on personal income tax planning and administration, helping individuals stay compliant with SARS regulations while making the most of tax benefits.
Our Personal Income Tax Services Include:
In today’s globalised world, businesses and individuals often face complex international tax challenges. AT Accounting offers specialised tax services to help navigate cross-border tax issues, ensuring compliance with international tax laws while optimising tax efficiency.
Our International Tax Services Include:
An auto-assessment is an automatic tax assessment issued by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for certain taxpayers. SARS generates it using data from third parties, such as employers, financial institutions, medical schemes, and retirement annuity fund administrators, without requiring input from the taxpayer. This results in a pre-filled tax assessment based on the information SARS has on file.
SARS introduced auto-assessments in 2019 to streamline the tax filing process and reduce the need for in-person submissions at SARS branches. The process expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic to support physical distancing and has since become a core part of SARS’s digital tax system, making filing faster and more efficient for eligible taxpayers.
SARS will notify you via SMS or email if you’ve been selected for an auto-assessment. For the 2025 tax season, these notifications are typically sent between the 7th July and 20th July 2025. Check your eFiling profile or the SARS MobiApp to view your assessment details.
No, the deadline for correcting an auto-assessment differs from the normal tax season. You have 40 working days from the date of your auto-assessment notice to file a corrected tax return if you disagree with the assessment. For example, an auto-assessment issued on 7th July 2025 would have a correction deadline around early September 2025. In contrast, the normal tax season deadline for non-provisional taxpayers is 20th October 2025, and for provisional taxpayers, it’s 19th January 2026. Always confirm the exact deadline on your auto-assessment notice
If you take no action within the 40 working days, the auto-assessment becomes your final tax assessment. This means you accept SARS’s calculation, and no further changes can be made unless you request an extension under specific conditions.
You can contact us to request an extension via eFiling within the 40-working-day period, providing reasonable grounds for needing more time (e.g., incomplete documentation or complex tax affairs). If you miss this deadline, you have an additional 21 working days (totalling 61 working days from the notice date) to submit a late extension request with reasonable grounds. Submit your request promptly to avoid complications.
After the 61-working-day period, you can only file a tax return if you demonstrate exceptional circumstances (e.g., serious illness or system errors) to SARS. Contact SARS via eFiling or call the SARS Contact Centre at 0800 00 7277 to discuss your options. Acting quickly is critical to avoid penalties or delays.
Proceed with caution. Accepting an auto-assessment without review can lead to errors, such as:
• Missing or outdated tax certificates: SARS may not have all your IRP5s, medical aid, or investment certificates.
• Unclaimed deductions: Auto-assessments may exclude allowable deductions like donations, travel expenses, home office costs, medical expenses paid out-of-pocket, or wear-and-tear allowances.
• Overpaying tax: An inaccurate assessment could result in a smaller refund or higher tax liability.
Review your auto-assessment carefully on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp to ensure it reflects all your income and eligible deductions.
You can file a corrected tax return via eFiling or the SARS MobiApp within the 40-working-day period. This allows you to include all relevant income, expenses, and deductions (e.g., medical costs, travel allowances, or charitable donations) to minimise your tax liability and maximise your refund. Ensure you have supporting documents, as SARS may request them for verification.
No, you are not exempt. As a taxpayer, you are responsible for ensuring all income and expenses are accurately reported. If you accept an incorrect auto-assessment (e.g., missing undeclared income), SARS may audit you later and impose penalties of up to 200% of the tax owed, plus interest. Even accepted auto-assessments may trigger a SARS verification or audit, requiring you to submit supporting documents. Always verify your assessment before accepting it.
At AT Accounting, we provide comprehensive tax services for both businesses and individuals. Contact us today to learn how our tax services can help you stay compliant and optimise your tax position.
