Registering for SARS eFiling: the Complete Walkthrough

SARS eFiling is the free online channel for almost everything an individual taxpayer needs to do: filing your annual ITR12 return, viewing assessments and statements of account, requesting a tax compliance status (Tax Clearance) PIN, updating banking details, and paying what you owe. Once you are registered you rarely need to visit a SARS branch again — and branch visits now require an appointment anyway.

What you need before you start

  • Your South African ID number (or passport and permit details for foreign nationals)
  • Your SARS tax reference number, if you already have one — it is on any previous return, assessment, or IT34. If you have never been registered, eFiling can trigger registration as a taxpayer during sign-up
  • A working email address and South African cell number you control — SARS sends one-time PINs (OTPs) to both, and these become your security channels
  • A clear photo or scan of your ID, and proof of residential address no older than three months, in case SARS asks for supporting documents
  • Your banking details for refunds — SARS does not pay refunds into accounts that have not been verified

Step by step

  1. Go to sarsefiling.co.za and click Register, then choose For Myself. Never register through a link sent by SMS or email — type the address yourself to avoid phishing clones.
  2. Complete the registration form with your name, ID number, contact details and residential address exactly as Home Affairs has them. A mismatch with the population register is the most common reason registration stalls.
  3. Verify with the OTPs sent to your cellphone and email. You must complete both within the time limit.
  4. Complete identity verification. For most users this is now a live selfie check matched against Home Affairs records, done on your phone. Some profiles are instead asked to upload documents — typically an ID copy, proof of address and a bank statement.
  5. Wait for activation. Straightforward registrations are active the same day. If SARS flags your profile for manual verification it can take up to 21 business days — you will get an SMS or email either way.
  6. Log in and check 'Returns Issued'. Your outstanding ITR12 returns appear on your eFiling profile. If your employer has been deducting PAYE, your IRP5 data is often already pre-populated by SARS.

Linking an existing tax number

If you already have a tax number but it does not appear on your new profile, use SARS Registered Details → Activate Registered Tax Reference Number on eFiling, or request the merge via the SARS Online Query System (SOQS). You will usually need to upload your ID and proof of address so SARS can confirm you are the same person.

If SARS rejects your verification

  • Details mismatch with Home Affairs — correct your details at Home Affairs first, then resubmit
  • Blurry or expired documents — re-scan in good light and make sure the certification date is within three months
  • Cell number already in use on another profile — this happens when an employer or tax practitioner registered on your behalf; call the SARS Contact Centre (0800 00 7277) to resolve the duplicate profile

What you can do on eFiling once registered

  • File and correct ITR12 income tax returns
  • View your Notice of Assessment (ITA34) and Statement of Account
  • Request a Tax Compliance Status PIN (what used to be called a Tax Clearance Certificate)
  • Register for or deregister from tax types, update banking details and addresses
  • Lodge disputes and objections against assessments
  • Make payments via eFiling's bank integration

Tip: Add SARS (sarsefiling@sars.gov.za and no-reply@sars.gov.za) to your contacts so OTP and assessment emails do not land in spam.

Sources

  • SARS — sars.gov.za and sarsefiling.co.za
  • SARS Guide to eFiling Registration (SARS website)
  • SARS Contact Centre: 0800 00 7277

This guide is general information, not tax advice. Registration rules and verification steps are set by SARS — confirm current requirements on sars.gov.za before you register.