Accountant’s Guide to Staying SARS-Ready All Year Round

For many accountants in South Africa, the pressure of tax season is all too familiar. The scramble to gather documentation, chase clients for missing information, and ensure every submission aligns with SARS requirements often creates a cycle of peaks and stress. With SARS becoming increasingly focused on automation, real-time compliance, and data-driven auditing, this reactive approach is no longer enough. Staying SARS-ready isn’t just about preparing for deadlines; it’s about maintaining a consistent state of readiness throughout the year.

Start the year with a tax season calendar that includes all key SARS deadlines and internal milestones, this sets a proactive pace rather than a reactive rush.

One of the key shifts in recent years has been SARS’ move towards tighter digital integration and automated flagging of irregularities. This means that discrepancies are identified faster, and firms that only start preparing at the last minute risk unnecessary scrutiny. Staying compliant year-round starts with good data discipline: ensuring that client records, tax submissions, and supporting documentation are updated regularly rather than in bursts.

Schedule a monthly or quarterly internal data review to ensure client files are accurate, complete, and ready for any SARS checks.

Proactive communication with clients has also become essential. Clients expect their accountants to act less as annual tax preparers and more as ongoing compliance partners. Regular check-ins, whether quarterly or tied to key reporting milestones, help ensure that provisional tax, VAT submissions, and income declarations remain aligned with changing regulations. These conversations also provide opportunities to educate clients about their obligations, avoiding the common rush of missing invoices, unclaimed deductions, or overlooked declarations.

Set up automated reminders or bulk messages to prompt clients for information ahead of each reporting period.

Technology plays a significant role in making this shift possible. Practice management software that integrates directly with SARS, manages submissions, and consolidates communication allows accountants to move away from scattered emails and spreadsheets. Centralised systems mean that when SARS correspondence arrives, it’s dealt with promptly rather than buried in an inbox. As SARS expands its digital footprint and eFiling evolves, the ability to respond quickly to queries or notices can make the difference between a smooth interaction and a lengthy back-and-forth.

Evaluate your current tools. If you’re still relying on multiple systems, consider implementing a practice management solution that integrates submissions and correspondence tracking.

Another important consideration is internal team processes. Staying SARS-ready isn’t just about client communication; it’s also about how work is delegated and tracked within the firm. Clear task allocation, visible progress tracking, and accountability for submissions ensure that no deadlines are missed. Many firms are finding that adopting a culture of “continuous compliance” also boosts team productivity, as it replaces the cycle of burnout during busy seasons with a steady, manageable flow of work.

Create a “who does what” structure for all SARS-related services, assigning partners, supervisors, and staff clear roles for each task.

Finally, staying SARS-ready is as much about mindset as it is about systems. Accountants who adopt a proactive, year-round approach find that their client relationships improve, their stress levels decrease, and their firms become more resilient to sudden regulatory shifts. With SARS focusing more on real-time data and less on traditional once-a-year checks, those who stay ahead of the curve will not only meet compliance requirements but also position themselves as trusted advisors in a changing tax landscape.

Hold a mid-year strategy session with your team to review what’s working, what isn’t, and what processes can be adjusted before the next major deadline.