Tax season in South Africa is in full swing, and after a rocky start to the auto-assessment process earlier this month, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) is taking no chances this time.
To help manage the huge wave of online filers expected in the coming weeks, SARS has introduced a new virtual waiting room system aimed at keeping its platforms running smoothly.
Early Glitches Prompted a Quick Fix
Everything kicked off on 7 July 2025, right as many employers were racing to meet their own monthly submission deadlines.
The overlap caused a flood of traffic on SARS’ eFiling system—and it simply couldn’t cope.
The site crashed, frustrating everyday taxpayers and professional tax practitioners alike.
Though the service was restored the next day, the hiccups didn’t completely disappear.
Ongoing disruptions forced SARS to extend some filing deadlines, giving businesses breathing room and helping them avoid penalties.
Here’s How the Virtual Queue Will Work
To avoid a repeat of that headache, SARS is launching a virtual queueing system just in time for manual tax filing, which opens on Monday, 21 July 2025.
This system will act like a digital holding area for users trying to access eFiling or the SARS MobiApp during busy periods.
Here’s what to expect:
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When traffic is high, users will be temporarily placed in a virtual waiting room.
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A screen will pop up, showing their place in line and how long the wait is.
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Once it’s their turn, they’ll be automatically taken to the login page—no need to keep refreshing or clicking over and over.
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Captcha verification may also appear as an added layer of security.
Platform Upgrades Are Also on the Way
To support this new system and improve stability throughout the season, SARS will be rolling out scheduled platform upgrades, mostly after business hours.
While services should remain available during these updates, users might experience brief interruptions here and there.
SARS is urging taxpayers to file early, or at least try using the system during quieter hours to avoid delays and help ease the traffic load.
Key Dates to Keep in Mind
Here’s a quick rundown of the important tax season dates for 2025:
| Taxpayer Type | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-assessments | 7 July 2025 | 20 July 2025 |
| Individuals | 21 July 2025 | 20 October 2025 |
| Provisional | 21 July 2025 | 19 January 2026 |
| Trusts | 21 July 2025 | 19 January 2026 |
SARS Encourages Early Filing and Tech-Savvy Habits
With millions expected to log in, SARS is asking people to take advantage of off-peak times and file as soon as they can.
These tech upgrades and the new queueing system are all part of a larger push to modernise and stabilise South Africa’s tax filing experience.
For those still unsure whether they need to manually file or were already auto-assessed, SARS encourages visiting their official site at www.sars.gov.za for more information.