How to Register for Tax With SARS in South Africa: Step-by-Step Guide
How to register for tax with SARS is easier than many first-time taxpayers expect. If you have a valid South African ID and register for SARS eFiling for the first time without already having a personal income-tax number, SARS says it can automatically register you for Personal Income Tax and issue your tax reference number. SARS currently provides several other registration routes too, including the SARS Online Query System (SOQS), USSD, MobiApp, registration through an employer and assistance at a SARS branch. (South African Revenue Service)
Before submitting a new registration, however, check whether you already have a tax number. Starting a new job does not necessarily mean you need a new SARS number, and SARS provides several ways to recover an existing tax reference number.
This guide explains the process step by step, including how to register online, what information you need, how to get proof of registration and what to do when an employer asks for your tax number.
Quick answer: If you’re a South African individual with a valid ID and don’t already have a personal income-tax number, registering as a new eFiler is one of the simplest options. SARS can automatically register you for Personal Income Tax and issue a tax reference number during the process. (South African Revenue Service)
Table of Contents
How to Register for Tax With SARS: Quick Guide
| Question | Quick answer |
|---|---|
| Can I register online? | Yes |
| Can SARS issue a tax number when I register for eFiling? | Yes, if eligible |
| Do I need a South African ID for automatic eFiling registration? | Yes |
| Can my employer register me? | Yes |
| Can I register without mobile data? | Yes, SARS offers USSD registration |
| SARS USSD code | *134*7277# |
| Can I register through SARS MobiApp? | Yes |
| Can I use SARS Online Query System? | Yes |
| Can I register at a SARS branch? | Yes |
| What proves my registration? | Notice of Registration (IT150) |
| Should I register again if I forgot my tax number? | No — recover the existing number first |
SARS currently describes six options for registering for tax, so there is no need to assume that visiting a SARS branch is your only option. (South African Revenue Service)
What Does It Mean to Register for Tax With SARS?
Registering for Personal Income Tax creates your taxpayer registration with the South African Revenue Service (SARS).
Once registered, you receive a tax reference number.
That number identifies your Personal Income Tax registration and can be required for matters such as:
- Employment administration
- Tax returns
- SARS assessments
- Tax payments
- Refunds
- Tax-compliance matters
- Managing your tax affairs through eFiling
Your tax number is not the same thing as your South African ID number.
Your ID helps identify you, but SARS issues a separate tax reference number for your tax registration.
Who Needs to Register for Income Tax in South Africa?
SARS states that if you earn taxable income above the applicable tax threshold, you must register as a taxpayer. (South African Revenue Service)
Tax obligations can arise from more than a normal salary.
SARS lists income sources such as:
- Employment
- Business activities
- Directorships
- Trusts
- Taxable investment income
- Rental income
- Royalties
- Certain capital gains
- Annuities and pensions
as examples of income that can be relevant to taxation. (South African Revenue Service)
This means someone who is self-employed or earning income outside a traditional job should not assume SARS registration only applies to employees.
INTERNAL LINK OPPORTUNITY
Readers who want to understand when tax becomes payable should read:
How Does Income Tax Work in South Africa? 2026/27 Tax Brackets Explained
Recommended anchor:
how income tax works in South Africa
Use your real Article 11 URL.
Do You Automatically Get Registered for Tax When You Start Working?
Not necessarily simply because you have started a job.
However, SARS provides mechanisms through which registration can happen.
Your employer can register you for income tax through SARS eFiling. SARS specifically lists registration through an employer as one of its registration options. (South African Revenue Service)
You can also register yourself.
In addition, SARS has an auto-registration process that can identify certain unregistered individuals from third-party data indicating economic activity. (South African Revenue Service)
The practical lesson is:
Don’t assume you are registered, and don’t assume you are not. Check first.
How Do I Know If I Am Already Registered With SARS?
Before trying to create another registration, determine whether SARS already has a Personal Income Tax registration for you.
SARS provides several options.
You can:
- Ask your employer.
- Use the SARS Online Query System.
- Use the SARS USSD service.
- Request your Notice of Registration through the SARS MobiApp.
- Request your IT150 through eFiling.
- Use the Lwazi chatbot.
(South African Revenue Service)
This is particularly useful if you worked previously but cannot remember ever registering yourself.
Your employer may have registered you.
SARS may also already have registered you through another process.
How to Register for Tax With SARS Online Using eFiling
For many South Africans, eFiling is the most convenient registration method.
SARS confirms that when someone registers for eFiling for the first time and does not yet have a Personal Income Tax number, SARS can automatically register the individual and issue a tax reference number, provided the person has a valid South African ID. (South African Revenue Service)
Here’s the process.
Step 1: Go to SARS eFiling
Use the official SARS eFiling service.
Avoid accessing your tax account through links in unexpected SMS or email messages.
Step 2: Select “Register”
If you don’t already have an eFiling account, select the registration option.
SARS’s instructions tell first-time users to select Register and follow the prompts. (South African Revenue Service)
Step 3: Enter your personal information
Provide the requested information accurately.
Your SARS records should correspond with your official identity information.
Do not shorten names, swap names around or intentionally use different personal details simply because that is how people normally refer to you.
Step 4: Provide contact information
Make sure your:
- Mobile number
- Email address
are correct and accessible.
These details are important because SARS uses electronic authentication, including one-time PINs during applicable eFiling processes. (South African Revenue Service)
Step 5: Complete any requested address information
SARS may request your address information, including where it needs the details to automatically register you for income tax or cannot match your information to an existing registration. (South African Revenue Service)
Enter your real information accurately.
Step 6: Complete SARS verification
SARS needs to verify that you are the person registering.
Depending on the process, additional authentication or verification may be required.
Once SARS successfully verifies the registration, you can complete your eFiling setup. (South African Revenue Service)
Step 7: Receive your tax reference number
If you don’t already have a Personal Income Tax number and meet the requirements for automatic registration, SARS will issue one.
Your tax number can then be found on your Notice of Registration. (South African Revenue Service)
How to Get Your SARS Notice of Registration After Registering
Your Notice of Registration, also known as the IT150, is useful when you need proof of your income-tax registration.
For example, an employer may ask you to provide proof of your SARS tax number.
SARS says you can obtain your Notice of Registration on eFiling by:
- Logging in.
- Opening the relevant Notice of Registration option.
- Selecting Request new or view.
(South African Revenue Service)
SARS’s detailed eFiling guidance also provides a route through:
Home → SARS Registered Details → Notice of Registration → Request New. (South African Revenue Service)
Keep your IT150 somewhere secure.
Can You Register for SARS Tax Through the Online Query System?
Yes.
The SARS Online Query System (SOQS) provides another registration route.
SARS says an individual with a valid South African ID can use the system to register for Personal Income Tax. (South African Revenue Service)
The registration process requests information including:
- South African ID number
- Name
- Surname
- Marital status
- Mobile number
- Residential address
- Postal address where different
(South African Revenue Service)
This is useful if the SOQS route better suits your circumstances.
Can You Register for Tax Without Data?
Yes.
This is an especially useful option for South Africans who don’t have reliable internet access.
SARS now allows individuals to register for Personal Income Tax using its USSD service.
Dial:
*134*7277#
Then select:
Register for tax
and follow the prompts. (South African Revenue Service)
SARS says its USSD service for individual Personal Income Tax services is free of charge. (South African Revenue Service)
What Information Do You Need for SARS USSD Registration?
According to SARS’s current mobile-services guidance, the USSD Personal Income Tax registration process asks for information including:
- Valid South African ID number
- First name
- Surname
- Email information where applicable
- Residential address
(South African Revenue Service)
You need to enter your information accurately so SARS can verify your identity.
Can You Register for Tax Using the SARS MobiApp?
Yes.
The SARS MobiApp provides access to several Personal Income Tax services.
SARS’s digital-channel guidance says the MobiApp supports services including:
- Registration
- Notice of Registration (IT150)
- Income-tax returns
- Outstanding-debt enquiries
- Outstanding-return enquiries
(South African Revenue Service)
This means you don’t necessarily need a laptop to manage basic SARS registration and tax services.
Use the official application from the appropriate app store rather than installing an APK or application supplied through an unknown website.
Can Your Employer Register You for SARS?
Yes.
SARS says employers can register employees for Income Tax through eFiling. (South African Revenue Service)
This can be useful when someone is starting work for the first time and doesn’t already have a tax number.
However, once you have a tax reference number, keep a record of it.
Your SARS tax number belongs to your tax registration—it is not a number that should change every time you change jobs.
What Should You Do If a New Employer Asks for a Tax Number?
First, check whether you already have one.
Don’t immediately try to register again.
You can recover an existing tax reference number through official SARS channels.
If SARS confirms you aren’t registered, you can then use one of its registration routes.
Once registered, provide the employer with the required tax information or Notice of Registration.
How Do You Find a SARS Tax Number You’ve Forgotten?
This is one of the most useful questions to answer because many people confuse:
“I don’t know my tax number”
with:
“I don’t have a tax number.”
They are not the same thing.
SARS provides several methods for retrieving an existing tax reference number.
Option 1: Request it through eFiling
If you’re a registered eFiler, request your Notice of Registration.
Your IT150 contains your tax reference number. (South African Revenue Service)
Option 2: Use SARS USSD
Dial:
*134*7277#
Select the tax-number service and complete the identity verification. (South African Revenue Service)
Option 3: Use SMS
SARS currently allows individual taxpayers to request their tax registration number by sending:
TRN [space] ID number
to:
47277
The service also supports passport or asylum-seeker details where applicable. (South African Revenue Service)
Option 4: Use SARS WhatsApp
SARS introduced IT150 delivery through its official WhatsApp channel.
The official SARS WhatsApp number published by SARS is:
0800 11 7277
After successful verification, the IT150 can be provided through the chat. (South African Revenue Service)
Option 5: Use the SARS MobiApp
Registered eFilers can request the Notice of Registration through the MobiApp. (South African Revenue Service)
What Documents Do You Need to Register for Tax at a SARS Branch?
Digital registration can often eliminate the need to visit a branch.
But if you do need branch assistance, SARS says identification documents can include an original plus a copy of an applicable:
- Valid identity document
- Driving licence
- Passport
- Temporary identity document
- Asylum seeker’s certificate
- Applicable permit
depending on the applicant’s circumstances. (South African Revenue Service)
Additional supporting documents can be required depending on what you’re asking SARS to change or register.
Check SARS’s current supporting-document requirements before travelling.
Do You Need an Appointment to Visit SARS?
SARS’s current tax-number guidance tells taxpayers to make an appointment before visiting a SARS branch. (South African Revenue Service)
That means you should not assume you can simply arrive at a branch and be assisted immediately.
Use the digital options first where possible.
If branch assistance is necessary, arrange the appointment through SARS’s official channels.
How Long Does SARS Tax Registration Take?
There is no single guaranteed timeframe that should be promised to every applicant.
Some digital registrations can be completed quickly when SARS successfully verifies the information.
Other registrations may require:
- Additional verification
- Supporting documents
- Correction of personal details
- Further SARS processing
News Domain therefore does not recommend relying on unofficial claims such as:
“SARS tax registration always takes exactly 24 hours.”
Your circumstances and verification status matter.
If you need a tax number urgently for employment, start the registration or recovery process as early as possible.
Is It Free to Register for a SARS Tax Number?
You should not need to pay a private person simply to obtain a SARS Personal Income Tax number through the normal official registration channels.
SARS even provides its Personal Income Tax USSD services to individual taxpayers free of charge. (South African Revenue Service)
Be suspicious if someone says:
“Pay me R500 and I’ll create your SARS tax number.”
You have official self-service options.
Can an Unemployed Person Have a SARS Tax Number?
Yes.
A tax reference number identifies your tax registration. Losing your job doesn’t automatically delete the number.
Likewise, having a tax number does not mean you currently owe income tax.
Someone may have registered while previously employed and later become unemployed.
The important distinction is between:
being registered as a taxpayer
and
having a current tax liability.
These are not the same thing.
Does Having a SARS Tax Number Mean You Must Pay Tax?
No.
Having a tax number does not automatically mean SARS takes money from you.
Your tax liability depends on factors such as:
- Taxable income
- Applicable tax thresholds
- Tax brackets
- Rebates
- Deductions
- Tax credits
- Other circumstances
For the 2026/27 rules, see News Domain’s existing guide:
INTERNAL LINK:
How Does Income Tax Work in South Africa? 2026/27 Tax Brackets Explained
This is where readers can understand the difference between tax registration and actually owing income tax.
Is a Tax Number the Same as an eFiling Account?
No.
These are related, but different.
Tax reference number
Identifies your tax registration.
eFiling profile
Your online account for accessing and managing SARS services.
You can have a tax number and later register for eFiling.
Likewise, when an eligible person with a valid South African ID registers as a new eFiler without an existing Personal Income Tax number, SARS can automatically register them and issue the tax number. (South African Revenue Service)
Is a SARS Tax Number the Same as PAYE?
No.
Your personal income-tax number identifies your Personal Income Tax registration.
PAYE—Pay As You Earn—is the mechanism through which employers generally deduct employees’ tax from remuneration.
Don’t confuse:
- Personal tax reference number
- PAYE deduction
- Employer PAYE number
They serve different purposes.
Is a SARS Tax Number the Same as UIF?
No.
UIF and SARS Personal Income Tax are separate systems.
UIF relates to unemployment insurance.
SARS administers taxes such as Personal Income Tax.
If you’re dealing with unemployment rather than tax registration, News Domain already has a separate guide:
INTERNAL LINK:
How to Claim UIF in South Africa in 2026
Use your actual Article 5 URL.
Do Freelancers Need a SARS Tax Number?
Freelance income can have tax consequences.
SARS specifically identifies business income and other non-employment income among sources that can be taxable. (South African Revenue Service)
A freelancer or sole trader may therefore need to manage Personal Income Tax and potentially provisional-tax obligations depending on their circumstances.
SARS’s small-business guidance states that self-employed individuals and sole traders register for Personal Income Tax directly with SARS. (South African Revenue Service)
Do not assume:
“My clients don’t deduct PAYE, therefore my income is tax-free.”
Those are different questions.
Do You Need a Separate Tax Number for Every Job?
No.
Your Personal Income Tax reference number identifies your registration with SARS.
Changing employers does not normally mean creating a new Personal Income Tax registration each time.
If a new employer asks for your tax number and you have forgotten it, retrieve your existing number rather than registering repeatedly.
What If Your SARS Registration Details Are Wrong?
Personal information can change or sometimes be incorrectly recorded.
Examples include:
- Surname
- Contact number
- Residential address
- Marital status
- Banking information
Use SARS’s official processes to update the relevant registered details.
Some changes may require supporting documentation.
Do not create another tax registration merely because information on the existing one is wrong.
What Happens After You Register for Tax?
Getting your tax number is only the beginning of your tax relationship with SARS.
Depending on your circumstances, you may later need to:
- Keep your details updated.
- Check whether you’re required to submit a tax return.
- Submit returns when required.
- Check assessments.
- Pay any valid outstanding tax.
- Verify refunds.
- Keep supporting records.
- Respond to legitimate SARS correspondence.
SARS states that registered taxpayers may be required to submit an annual income-tax return according to the applicable filing requirements. (South African Revenue Service)
Registration itself does not mean every registered person must blindly submit the same forms at the same time.
Follow the requirements applicable to your circumstances.
How Do You Check Whether You Owe SARS After Registering?
Once you’re registered and using eFiling, you can access tax-account information.
News Domain already has a detailed guide explaining this process:
INTERNAL LINK:
How to Check If You Owe SARS Money in South Africa
Recommended anchor:
how to check if you owe SARS money
Use the real Article 12 URL.
This creates a useful sequence:
Register → understand tax → check your SARS account
rather than forcing readers to search elsewhere for each basic step.
How to Avoid SARS Registration Scams
Tax numbers and identity information are valuable.
Treat them carefully.
Never give an unofficial person your:
- eFiling password
- Banking PIN
- Card PIN
- Email password
- One-time banking PIN
- Full online banking credentials
Be cautious of messages claiming:
“Your tax number has expired — click here.”
“Pay R300 to reactivate your SARS number.”
“Send me your banking password so I can register SARS for you.”
“I can create a second tax number that gives you a bigger refund.”
Use official SARS channels.
What Should You Do If Someone Offers to Sell You a Tax Number?
Don’t buy it.
A legitimate tax reference number comes through SARS registration.
Giving an unknown person your:
- ID
- Address
- Phone number
- Banking information
- Employment information
can create identity-fraud risks.
If you need assistance, use SARS’s official channels or an appropriately registered tax practitioner.
SARS Tax Registration Checklist
Before starting, use this simple checklist.
| Check | Done? |
|---|---|
| Check whether you already have a tax number | ☐ |
| Have your South African ID information ready | ☐ |
| Make sure your mobile number is correct | ☐ |
| Make sure your email is accessible | ☐ |
| Have your address information available | ☐ |
| Choose an official SARS registration method | ☐ |
| Complete identity verification | ☐ |
| Save your tax reference number securely | ☐ |
| Request your Notice of Registration (IT150) | ☐ |
| Register/manage your eFiling profile | ☐ |
| Check future filing obligations | ☐ |
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Register for Tax With SARS
How do I register for tax with SARS?
One of the easiest options for an eligible South African individual is to register for SARS eFiling. If you have a valid South African ID and don’t already have a Personal Income Tax number, SARS can automatically register you and issue a tax reference number. Other registration channels are also available. (South African Revenue Service)
Can I register for SARS online?
Yes. You can use eFiling or, where applicable, the SARS Online Query System. (South African Revenue Service)
Can I register for SARS without going to a branch?
Yes. SARS provides several digital options, including eFiling, SOQS, USSD and the MobiApp. (South African Revenue Service)
Can I register for tax without data?
Yes. Individual taxpayers can use SARS’s free USSD channel by dialling *134*7277# and selecting the Personal Income Tax registration option. (South African Revenue Service)
How do I get a SARS tax number?
If you aren’t already registered, SARS can issue a tax reference number when you successfully register for Personal Income Tax. If you’re already registered but have forgotten the number, retrieve it instead of registering again.
How do I check whether I already have a SARS tax number?
You can use SARS’s Online Query System, USSD, MobiApp, eFiling, Lwazi chatbot or ask your employer. (South African Revenue Service)
What is an IT150?
The IT150 is your SARS Notice of Registration and provides proof of your Personal Income Tax registration, including your tax reference number. (South African Revenue Service)
How can I get my IT150?
You can request it through eFiling, the MobiApp and other supported SARS channels. SARS also supports IT150 requests through SMS and WhatsApp. (South African Revenue Service)
Can my employer register me for tax?
Yes. SARS allows employers to register employees for Income Tax through eFiling. (South African Revenue Service)
Do I need a new tax number when I change jobs?
No. If you already have a Personal Income Tax reference number, retrieve and use your existing registration.
Does having a tax number mean I owe SARS money?
No. Registration and tax liability are different. Your actual tax liability depends on your taxable income and applicable tax rules.
Can an unemployed person have a tax number?
Yes. Becoming unemployed does not automatically cancel an existing tax registration.
Do freelancers need to register with SARS?
Freelance and business income can create tax obligations. Self-employed individuals and sole traders generally manage Personal Income Tax through SARS, with other tax obligations potentially applying depending on their circumstances. (South African Revenue Service)
Is registering for SARS free?
SARS provides direct official registration channels, including free USSD Personal Income Tax services for individual taxpayers. (South African Revenue Service)
Do I need an appointment to visit a SARS branch?
SARS instructs taxpayers to make an appointment before visiting a branch for tax-number assistance. (South African Revenue Service)
What to Do Next
If you searched how to register for tax with SARS, start by checking whether you already have a tax number.
That simple check can save you from trying to register twice.
If you’re not registered and have a valid South African ID, one of the easiest routes is to register for SARS eFiling, where SARS can automatically register eligible first-time taxpayers for Personal Income Tax and issue a tax reference number. (South African Revenue Service)
If eFiling isn’t suitable, SARS also provides other routes including:
- SARS Online Query System
- USSD
- SARS MobiApp
- Employer registration
- SARS branch assistance
After registration, obtain and securely save your Notice of Registration (IT150).
Then learn what your registration actually means. Having a tax number doesn’t automatically mean you owe SARS money, and it doesn’t mean your entire salary is taxed at one flat percentage.
Your next useful reads on News Domain are:
How Does Income Tax Work in South Africa?
and
How to Check If You Owe SARS Money
Together, these guides take you from registration → understanding tax → managing your SARS account.
Sources & References
This article was researched using current information published directly by the South African Revenue Service (SARS). SARS confirms the current registration options, including automatic Personal Income Tax registration through eFiling, SOQS, USSD, MobiApp, employer registration and branch assistance. (South African Revenue Service)
SARS — How do I register for tax?
FACT: The registration methods, USSD code, IT150 retrieval options and automatic eFiling registration described above are based on current SARS information.
ANALYSIS: News Domain’s checklists, examples and recommended order of steps are original explanations intended to make SARS’s official processes easier for readers to follow.
OPINION: This article does not determine whether a particular reader is personally liable for tax.
Important: Tax obligations depend on individual circumstances. For complex tax matters, use SARS’s official guidance or obtain qualified professional assistance.