Register your company for income tax through SARS eFiling in five steps

To register a company for income tax on SARS eFiling, you need a SARS tax reference number first, then set up your eFiling profile using your company's details and banking information. The process takes place entirely online through the SARS website and typically completes within a few minutes, though SARS may take several days to verify your registration and issue your tax number if you do not already have one.

You will need your company registration certificate from the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), your company's banking details, and the identity number of at least one director or authorized representative. If your company is newly registered with CIPC, allow time for that registration to appear in SARS systems before you attempt to register for income tax.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a SARS tax reference number before you can set up eFiling; if your company is new, request this number from SARS first.
  • eFiling registration requires your CIPC registration certificate number, company banking details, and the ID number of at least one director.
  • You create your eFiling user profile on the SARS website using your tax reference number and a password you choose.
  • Once registered, you can file returns, view assessments, and manage your company's tax account online.
  • SARS may contact you to verify your registration details before fully activating your account.

Get your SARS tax reference number if you do not have one

If your company is newly registered with CIPC, you need a SARS tax reference number before you can use eFiling. Visit the SARS website at www.sars.gov.za and look for the section on registering for a tax number. You will provide your CIPC registration number, company name, and the details of a director or authorized representative.

SARS will issue a temporary tax reference number when ready in most cases, though the full registration may take several business days to process. If your company has been operating for some time and you are unsure whether you have a tax number, contact SARS directly at 0800 00 7277 (toll-free) or visit a SARS branch office. Have your CIPC registration certificate available when you call.

Gather the documents and information you will need

Before you start the eFiling registration, collect the following: your company's CIPC registration certificate (or the registration number), your SARS tax reference number, your company's banking details (account holder name, account number, and branch code), and the ID number of at least one director or authorized representative who will manage the account.

If your company operates under a different trading name than the registered name, have that information ready as well. You will also need to decide on a username and password for your eFiling profile. The password must be at least eight characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Create your eFiling user profile on the SARS website

Go to www.sars.gov.za and select "eFiling" from the homepage menu. Click on "Register" or "New User" (the exact wording changes occasionally). You will be taken to a registration form where you enter your tax reference number and create a username and password.

The username can be your email address or another identifier you choose. Write down your username and password in a find location; you will need them every time you log in. After you submit this information, SARS sends a verification email to the address you provided. Open that email and click the verification link within 24 hours to confirm your account.

Complete your company profile with banking and director details

Once you have verified your email, log into eFiling using your username and password. You will be prompted to complete your company profile. Enter your company's full registered name, CIPC registration number, and the trading name if it differs from the registered name.

In the banking section, enter your company's bank account number, the name of the account holder (usually your company name), and your bank's branch code. This account is where SARS will deposit any refunds and where you will pay any taxes owed. You will also add the details of at least one director or authorized representative, including their full name and ID number. This person becomes the primary contact for your tax account.

Verify your registration and wait for SARS confirmation

After you submit your company profile, SARS reviews the information you provided. In many cases, the system confirms your registration when ready and you can begin filing returns right away. However, SARS may contact you by phone or email to verify details, particularly if your company is new or if there are discrepancies between your CIPC registration and your eFiling profile.

If SARS contacts you, respond promptly with any documents they request. Once your registration is fully confirmed, you will receive a notification in your eFiling inbox. From that point forward, you can log in anytime to file returns, view assessments, read documents, and manage your company's tax account.

What to do if registration fails or gets stuck

If you receive an error message during registration, check that your tax reference number is correct and that your CIPC registration number matches your certificate exactly. Common issues include typos in the tax number, a mismatch between the company name you entered and the name on your CIPC certificate, or attempting to register before SARS has processed your initial tax number request.

If the problem persists, contact SARS eFiling support at 0800 00 7277 or visit a SARS branch office with your CIPC certificate and tax reference number. You can also email SARS through the eFiling portal itself by logging in and selecting "Contact Us" from the menu. Include your tax reference number and a description of the error in any message you send.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to register for eFiling?

The online registration itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. SARS usually confirms your registration within a few hours, though in some cases it may take one to two business days if they need to verify your details by phone or email.

Can I register for eFiling if my company is still being processed by CIPC?

No. Your company must be fully registered with CIPC and have a CIPC registration number before you can register for income tax with SARS. Once CIPC issues your certificate, wait one to two business days for that registration to appear in SARS systems, then request your tax number.

What if I do not have a company bank account yet?

You must provide a valid company bank account during eFiling registration. If your account is not yet open, open it with your bank first, then complete your eFiling registration. You can update your banking details later if needed by logging into eFiling and editing your profile.

Can I register multiple companies on one eFiling account?

No. Each company requires its own tax reference number and its own eFiling profile. You can manage multiple profiles by logging out and logging in with different usernames, but you cannot access them simultaneously in one session.

What happens after I register for eFiling?

Once registered, you can file your company's income tax returns, provisional tax payments, and other required documents through eFiling. You will also receive notices of assessment, refund information, and other tax correspondence in your eFiling inbox instead of by post.