South Africans who owe unpaid taxes could have money deducted directly from their salaries, with employers legally required to pay it to the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
On 27 October 2026, SARS announced changes to its existing collection process, making it easier for employers to manage these deductions.
When Can SARS Take Money From Your Salary?
SARS can instruct employers to deduct money from an employee’s salary to recover unpaid taxes.
However, taxpayers must generally receive a final demand for payment before further action is taken.
If the debt remains unpaid and the legal requirements are met, SARS can instruct an employer to deduct a specified amount.
Employers are legally required to follow valid instructions and transfer the money to SARS.
Tax expert Jashwin Baijoo from Tax Consulting South Africa warned that SARS is taking a tougher approach to recovering unpaid taxes.
According to Baijoo, taxpayers owing as little as R5,000 are receiving final demand letters, showing that collection efforts are not limited to large debts.
What Has Changed With SARS Salary Deductions?
SARS has revised its processing schedule to give employers more time to arrange deductions before monthly salaries are finalised.
The changes also aim to reduce repeated deduction instructions and cancellations.
The update improves an existing collection process rather than introducing new powers to recover unpaid taxes.
What Should South Africans Do if They Owe SARS?
Taxpayers who receive a final demand generally have 10 business days to address the outstanding debt.
Those unable to pay the full amount can contact SARS to discuss possible payment arrangements.
André Daniels, a tax dispute expert at Tax Consulting South Africa, advises taxpayers to request explanations from SARS when they believe an assessment is incorrect.
He also cautions that challenging a tax assessment does not automatically stop SARS from collecting the debt.
Taxpayers should check their outstanding balances and respond promptly to payment notices to avoid further collection action.
