How to Get SARS Tax Number

The South African Revenue Service, SARS, is mandated with managing the collection of taxes from businesses and individuals across the country. As a responsible citizen, it’s your duty to pay taxes as and when they are due. Functions of government would be impossible without people meeting this obligation. Taxes are the lifeblood of the government. In order to start paying your taxes, you need to get a Sars tax number. We will show you how to do so in this article.

Steps to apply for a SARS tax reference number

The following are the options for those looking to get a SARS tax number;

• A tax number will be issued out to you the first time that you register on the SARS eFiling portal. When registering, you will be asked to provide a valid South African ID number. It’s also possible to download the SARS app on your phone. Once that is done, you can register for eFiling. During this process, you will be given a tax reference number.
• Alternatively, you can visit a nearby SARS branch to register. When you do that, a a tax number will be issued out to you. You will be required to provide relevant supporting documents, depending on whether you are an individual, a business, a tax practitioner or a Customs and Exercise official.
• Most employers register their employees with SARS eFiling. You can also get a tax number this way.

How to find out if you are already registered

A lot of people arrive here because they are not sure whether or not they already have a SARS tax number. If you fall into this category, then we are happy to help you.

There are ways through which you can determine whether or not you have a number and, if you already have one, you will be able to retrieve the number.

Here is an article outlining what to do in the event that you have forgotten your SARS tax reference number. The good news is that there are several steps that you can take to quickly recover it.

Why bother paying taxes?

The above sections described how to get a SARS tax number. But why would you bother paying taxes? Definitely one thing that can be said is that a lot of people out there try to avoid this obligation as much as they can.

However, that is not the right move. Legally and morally, every South African needs to pay taxes. It is from this revenue that government is able to fund social programs for disadvantaged people around the country.

Money from taxes is also used to construct roads, schools, clinics and much more. With it, the entire fabric of society would fall apart. Tax is applied on most forms of the income that people in the country earn.

How long for SARS to verify my banking details?

Rounding up

This post was dedicated to showing you how to get a SARS tax number. It was noted that there are three ways through which you can get a tax reference number. You can get one by applying for eFiling on the relevant website. You also get one when you apply at a SARS branch. Some people also get tax number via their employers.

How long does SARS take to pay out?