System Crash, Deadline Extended: SARS Grants Relief After EMP201 Chaos

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On 7 July 2025, tax practitioners across the country were left scrambling as SARS’s eFiling system buckled under pressure, right on the submission and payment deadline for EMP201 returns. The result? Widespread login issues, frozen portals, and failed submissions, just as SARS officially kicked off the 2025 Tax Season.

Background: A Perfect Storm

The due date for June’s EMP201s coincided with the opening of the new tax season, leading to a surge in users attempting to access the system simultaneously. The platform simply couldn’t handle the traffic. Accountants were locked out, unable to load returns or process payments, and left worrying about late penalties and reputational damage.

SARS Decision: Deadline Extended

Recognising the scale of the disruption, SARS responded. In a notice issued on 8 July, the Commissioner officially extended the EMP201 filing and payment deadline to Monday, 14 July 2025. SARS has also confirmed that no penalties or interest will be imposed on employers who were otherwise compliant but were affected by the system issues. This decision was made under section 3 of the Income Tax Act, which allows the Commissioner to use discretion to extend due dates in cases of unforeseen challenges.

CIBA’s Role: Advocacy in Action

CIBA, in partnership with other Recognised Controlling Bodies (RCBs), acted quickly. After receiving numerous complaints from members who experienced system failures, submitted an urgent request to SARS, detailing the financial impact and compliance risks faced by practitioners and their clients. Thanks to this swift action and strong member feedback, SARS granted the extension. This is a clear reminder that when the profession speaks with one voice, it gets heard.

What Now?

If you haven’t yet submitted your EMP201 for June, do so before 14 July 2025 to avoid penalties. And if you’re still struggling with eFiling, CIBA is hosting a support webinar on 10 July featuring SARS system support experts, register here:
🔗 Register for the webinar

Stay informed, stay compliant—and keep speaking up. It makes a difference.