Real Client Case Study – Saving Client Money
Real Client Case Study: How We Corrected a Costly SARS Auto-Assessment Error

Sometimes, even SARS waves the wrong wand đŸȘ„  and that’s exactly what happened to one of our clients. Luckily, the Tax Fairy was on call to sprinkle some compliance magic and set things right!

The Situation

Our client—let’s call her Lindiwe—received a shiny SARS auto-assessment. It looked quick, neat, and even suggested a small refund. She almost clicked “accept” without blinking.

But Lindiwe had a hunch something was missing. Spoiler: she was right!

What Went Wrong

When we reviewed her auto-assessment, we spotted major issues:

  • SARS had left out her retirement annuity contributions
  • Her medical aid deductions were missing
  • One IRP5 was mismatched, underreporting her income

If she had accepted as-is, Lindiwe would have:

  • Lost over R8,000 in valid deductions
  • Triggered a compliance risk down the line
  • Ended up paying more tax than she should

The Tax Fairy’s Fix

We waved our wand (okay, opened eFiling), corrected the assessment, added the missing deductions, and ensured her employer’s IRP5 aligned with SARS’s records.

 The Outcome

Instead of paying extra tax, Lindiwe:

  • Got her full refund
  • Stayed 100% compliant with SARS
  • Walked away stress-free, knowing her return was accurate

The Lesson

Auto-assessments are convenient—but they’re not always correct. Even one missing certificate or deduction can cost thousands.

If you’ve received a SARS auto-assessment, don’t click “accept” without checking. Book a consult with us at Tax Shop TaxEy and let’s make sure your return works for you, not against you.

SARS may auto-assess, but only humans (and fairies) can catch the magic in the details!