You can usually find your tax number on your IRP5 or payslip from your employer. If your tax number is not on those documents or if you are self-employed you can also phone SARS on 0800 00 7277 to check or you can request it online by following these steps:

1. Visit the SARS website.
2. On the top menu bar, click on “Contact Us”.
3. Click on the “Request your Tax number”
4. Complete the form and choose “What’s My Tax Number” as the query type
5. SARS will send you your tax number, if they were able to verify your credentials.

If you have not registered, then you can do so on eFiling or at a branch.

Your employer may have registered you in the past. If this is the case, you would have been issued with a 10-digit tax reference number from SARS and you would have an IT150 Notification of registration that states your reference number.

You can also check your IRP5 or payslip from your employer as your tax reference number may appear there.

If you think you *might* have a tax number but aren’t sure, you can phone SARS at 0800 00 7277 to check.

Or you can request it on the SARS SMS Channel by sending an SMS to SARS on 47277 from your mobile device.
-TRN (Space) ID number/Passport number/ Asylum Seeker number

Or you can request it on the SARS USSD Channel by typing, on your mobile device, a string of characters that comprises of an asterisk (*), followed by a few digits and ending with a hashtag (#) and dialing.
Steps on how to request tax services via the SARS USSD Channel
Step 1: Initiate USSD by dialing *134*7277#
Step 2: Select the service you require
Step 3: Taxpayer Verification – SARS will request you to complete either your, ID/Passport/Asylum Number
Step 4: Tax Resolution – Upon successful verification by SARS, a response will be displayed

Or you can request it online by visiting the SARS website.

On the top menu bar, click on “Contact Us”.

Click on the “Request your Tax number”

Complete the form and choose “What’s My Tax Number” as the query type

SARS will send you your tax number if they were able to verify your credentials.

If you have not registered then you can do so on eFiling or at a branch.

Registering for a tax number via eFiling

Getting a tax number is now as easy as registering on SARS eFiling. Simply register on eFiling and if you do not yet have a personal income tax number, SARS will automatically register you and issue a tax reference number. You are required to have a valid South African ID.

Registering for a tax number at a branch
(please note, book an appointment First before visiting the SARS branches)

There are three options to make an appointment if you are a registered taxpayer:

• Call the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277 and select option 0 (zero). A SARS official will book the appointment on your behalf.
• Send an SMS to 47277 (iSARS) with this information and format: Booking (Space) ID number/Passport number/ Asylum Seeker number.
• Book an appointment online by clicking here https://tools.sars.gov.za/SARSeBooking

Take the following documents to your nearest SARS branch to register as a taxpayer:

• A certified legible copy of your ID, passport, or driver’s license. Certification of copied documents can be done at your nearest police station (just remember to take the original along too).
• Proof of latest address (this can be a rates bill, utility bill, or phone bill etc, must show where you live – anything that shows your name and your address on an official letterhead) Your bank statement is NOT proof of address!
• 3 months’ latest bank statements, original and stamped by the bank.

SARS should register you on the SARS system and provide you with your new tax number immediately!
You should receive your tax number by post sometime after your in-branch registration in the form of an IT150 / Notification of registration. If you would like to call SARS (0800 00 7277) to find out what the current status of your registration is, remember to have your ID number with you for the call.

The following information is needed:

• IRP5 employee tax certificate;
• IT3(b) and (c) certificates from financial institutions in respect of interest, dividends and capital gains;
• Retirement annuity fund or pension fund contribution certificate:
• Medical Aid certificate of contributions; and
• Travel logbook (related to travel allowances received)

Further to the above, any additional income received by the taxpayer during the tax period must be declared on the return.

The 72-hour countdown for a refund starts once SARS has completed and assessed your return. You will receive your refund if:

• It’s more than R100,
• Your banking details are correct,
• You have no debt or outstanding returns, and
• No inspection, verification, or audit is needed or has been initiated.

Income tax return filing dates
The dates for the 2024 Filing Season are:

Auto-assessment notices: 1 July 2024 to 14 July 2024
Individual taxpayers (non-provisional): 15 July 2024 to 21 October 2024
Provisional taxpayers: 15 July 2024 to 20 January 2025
Trusts: 16 September 2024 to 20 January 2025

Auto-assessments are available to taxpayers with less complicated tax affairs.

SARS may impose administrative penalties for non-compliance, such as outstanding returns or failure to disclose information. Failure to comply will result in a recurring monthly admin penalty until you are compliant. These penalties are fixed amounts based on your taxable income and can range from R250 to R16,000 per month for each month of non-compliance.

If you have been assessed and an incorrect refund is paid and you have edited the return and:

• the original refund is more than the corrected assessment and you will have to pay SARS back the difference
• the original refund is less than what it should be, SARS will pay you the difference within 72 hours unless the return is marked for verification.