An auto-assessment isn't automatically correct for everyone — it only reflects information reported to SARS by third parties, so it can miss deductions like additional retirement annuity contributions, business expenses, or charitable donations that weren't reported directly. Accepting an auto-assessment without checking it can mean quietly overpaying tax, or missing a refund, simply because the underlying data was incomplete.
Source: SARS
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you do if you receive an auto-assessment?
Review it against your own records before the filing deadline — if it's missing deductions or income, you can edit and file it yourself instead of accepting it as is.
What happens if you do nothing with an auto-assessment?
If you don't act within the given window, it's treated as accepted, and any tax owed or refund due is processed based on that assessment.
Can you still claim additional deductions after accepting an auto-assessment?
In most cases, you can file a request for correction afterwards if you discover missed deductions, though it's simpler to review and adjust before accepting in the first place.