SARS eFiling Crash – What Happened & Why It Matters

On Monday, 7 July 2025, the opening of South Africa’s 2025 tax season hit an unexpected snag when thousands of taxpayers encountered errors, slow loading, and outages on both the SARS eFiling platform and MobiApp.

📢 SARS Apology & What Happened

SARS issued an official apology, stating:

"Our system is currently experiencing unusually high traffic volumes. We value your experience and appreciate your patience… We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused."

IT teams worked throughout the day, and by Tuesday, most services had resumed. SARS also confirmed that no penalties or interest would be applied to users who were unable to file due to the system crash.

💻 Why the Crash Happened

The system was overwhelmed by a surge in traffic, largely due to users logging in to view auto-assessments or manually file on day one. Experts pointed to the need for better infrastructure scaling and stress testing before major rollouts.

📉 What It Means for South Africans

• It raised concerns about the reliability of public digital platforms.
• Highlighted the need for staggered filing windows or more robust alternatives (e.g., USSD, walk-ins).
• Left many vulnerable groups—like the elderly or those without internet—disadvantaged.

✅ Why Paying Tax Still Matters

Despite technical challenges, tax is the backbone of national development. It funds:

• Roads, hospitals, and public schools
• Social services like grants and healthcare
• Crime prevention and justice systems

Being compliant also protects you from legal trouble and ensures you can access financial services like loans, tenders, or property deals.

🛠 What You Can Do If You Were Affected

• Try logging in during off-peak hours (early morning or late evening).
• Use the MobiApp or USSD (*134*7277#) if available.
• Clear browser cache if pages don’t load.
• Take screenshots and record timestamps as proof of failed attempts.

SARS has assured that no penalties will apply if you missed your deadline due to their system.

🔗 Sources:

• News24
• CrispNG
• CrispNG Analysis
• Primedia Plus

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