SARS eFiling Setup Guide

Step-by-step instructions to register, link your tax types, and file your first return on SARS eFiling.

Getting Started

1

Visit the SARS eFiling Portal

Go to sarsefiling.co.za in your web browser. Use Chrome, Edge, or Firefox for the best experience.

2

Click “Register”

Select the “Register” button on the login page. Choose whether you are registering as an individual or on behalf of a company.

3

Enter Your ID Number

Provide your 13-digit South African ID number. If you are a foreign national, use your passport number and select the relevant country.

4

Create a Password

Choose a strong password with at least 8 characters including uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and a special character.

5

Verify via Email or SMS

SARS will send a one-time pin (OTP) to the email address or cellphone number registered with them. Enter the OTP to complete registration.

Linking Tax Types

Once registered, you need to link the relevant tax types to your eFiling profile to file returns.

person

Income Tax

ITR12

For individual taxpayers. File your annual income tax return and check your assessment.

groups

PAYE

EMP201

For employers. Submit monthly employer declarations for PAYE, UIF, and SDL.

receipt

VAT

VAT201

For VAT-registered vendors. File bi-monthly or monthly VAT returns.

calendar_month

Provisional Tax

IRP6

For provisional taxpayers. Submit estimates and make advance payments twice a year.

Filing Your First Return

1

Select your tax type

From the eFiling dashboard, navigate to Returns and select the relevant tax type (e.g. Income Tax for ITR12).

2

Fill in your details

Complete each section of the return. SARS pre-populates some fields from IRP5 data received from your employer. Review and correct where necessary.

3

Review your return

Check all amounts carefully. Use the “Validate” button to check for errors before submitting.

4

Submit your return

Click “File” to submit. You will receive a confirmation message with a reference number.

5

Download your ITA34

Once SARS processes your return, download your Notice of Assessment (ITA34) from the eFiling portal. This shows whether you owe SARS or are due a refund.

Common Issues

help Browser compatibility issues

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SARS eFiling works best on the latest versions of Chrome, Edge, or Firefox. If pages fail to load or buttons do not respond, clear your browser cache and disable any ad blockers. Internet Explorer is no longer supported.

help Forgotten password

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Click “Forgot Password” on the login page. SARS will send a reset link to your registered email. If your email has changed, you’ll need to visit a SARS branch with your ID document to update your contact details first.

help Tax type not showing on my profile

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You need to register for the tax type with SARS before it appears on eFiling. For example, if VAT does not show, you must first register as a VAT vendor. Visit SARS online or a branch to register, then link it via SARS Registered Details → Activate Tax Type on eFiling.

help Error codes when filing

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Common error codes include validation failures (missing fields or incorrect totals). Read the error description carefully — it usually tells you exactly which field needs correction. If you receive a system error, try again later as SARS may be performing maintenance. Contact the SARS call centre on 0800 00 7277 for persistent issues.

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