2026 Tax Technologies
Presenters : Nestene Botha
Overview
The tax profession is being reshaped in real time. SARS has surpassed R2 trillion in revenue collection, auto-assessed millions of taxpayers, and outlines its Modernisation 3.0 vision of a future where "tax just happens" through biometric digital identities, behaviour-based risk profiling, e-invoicing, and real-time VAT reporting. At the same time, artificial intelligence is disrupting traditional tax compliance software, while taxpayers increasingly rely on AI tools to manage their own tax affairs.
Presented by Nestene Botha, this video provides a practical and balanced view of the evolving tax technology landscape. Viewers explore how SARS leverages data, automation and AI to enhance compliance, how the role of the tax accountant is changing, the opportunities and risks presented by emerging technologies, and how practitioners can respond when clients arrive with AI-generated tax advice. The video concludes with a practical roadmap for remaining relevant and valuable as the profession continues its rapid transformation towards a technology-enabled future.
Video Content
- Overview of the current tax technology environment
- The changing role of the tax accountant
- SARS tax technology developments and Modernisation 3.0
- AI competition and disruption in the tax software market
- Risks and limitations of AI-powered tax tools
- Taxpayers using AI to manage their own tax affairs
- Managing AI-generated tax advice from clients
- Key takeaways and future-ready strategies for practitioners
Competencies Developed
By viewing this video, participants will be able to:
- Explain the current tax technology landscape and the impact of AI on tax work.
- Identify practical AI use cases for taxpayers, accountants and tax practitioners.
- Assess how technology is changing the role of the tax accountant.
- Explain how SARS uses data, automation and AI to strengthen tax compliance.
- Recognise the risks and opportunities associated with AI-enabled tax administration.
- Evaluate the implications of taxpayers using AI to prepare and manage their own tax affairs.
- Develop practical strategies to remain relevant and competitive in an increasingly technology-driven profession.