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How do you get a tax clearance certificate?

Updated · 3 min read

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In short

  • The tax clearance certificate is now a Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN from SARS, the South African Revenue Service [1]. Request “Good Standing” on eFiling and, once SARS approves it, give the PIN to whoever asks [2].
  • For a tender, ask for Good Standing too: the tender option no longer exists [1].
  • SARS checks your registration, returns, debt and details [1]. Whoever checks the PIN sees your status on that day, green or red [3].

Which one to ask for

SARS replaced the paper tax clearance certificate with this system in 2015 [1].

Good Standing
Is your tax in order?
For confirming your tax affairs are in order, and replaces the old tender option [4], [1]. The only type a company or other organisation can request [4].
Approval International Transfer (AIT)
Money sent abroad
For individuals, with supporting documents. It replaced the Foreign Investment Allowance and Emigration options [4].

What SARS checks

Your overall status comes from your My Compliance Profile on eFiling [1].

  • Registered for every tax you owe
  • No returns outstanding
  • No debt, unless a payment arrangement or suspension is agreed
  • Registered details up to date
  • All your tax numbers merged or confirmed

Green: all in order, compliant

Red: something is not in order

The checks [1]; the colours [3].

Newly registered, with nothing due yet? You show as “Compliant (New Taxpayer)” [4].

How to get your TCS PIN on eFiling

  1. Log in to SARS eFiling

    At least one of income tax, PAYE (employees’ tax) or VAT (value-added tax) must be active on your profile [4].

  2. Activate Tax Compliance Status, once

    Under Tax Status, choose Activation [4].

  3. Merge or confirm your tax numbers

    Unmerged numbers can delay your PIN [4].

  4. Open My Compliance Profile and fix anything red

    Your status is based on it [1].

  5. Request Good Standing

    Choose how many months the PIN lasts, then submit [4].

  6. Get your PIN if SARS approves

    By SMS, on your dashboard or on the TCS letter [2]. SARS may review a request, ask for documents or decline it [4].

SARS MobiApp
Individuals only
Activate on eFiling first, then tap Tax Compliance Status Request. If your tax is in order, the PIN comes by SMS or email [5].
SARS Online Query System
Another way in
Request your status and PIN there too [1].

How long the PIN is valid

Expiry
You choose
Set the number of months when you request it [4].
What it shows
Today’s status
Your status when it’s checked, not when it was issued [2].
Cancel or replace
Any time
While the request stays approved [4].
Each request
Its own PIN
You can make several requests [2], [4].

How to verify a TCS PIN

The checker enters your tax number and PIN on eFiling or the SARS Online Query System [3].

  1. On eFiling, activate Tax Compliance Status Verification once

    Done by an authorised person or eFiling administrator [3].

  2. Choose New Verification Request

    Enter the tax reference number and PIN [3].

  3. Confirm it’s the right taxpayer

    Check the details shown match [3].

  4. Read the result: green or red

    Print it, or find it later under History [3].

You’re told
By SMS
Each time someone verifies your status [4].
Who viewed my status
On eFiling
Who checked, when, and what they saw [4].

If your status is red

Your profile shows what to do next for each red item [4].

Return outstanding
File it
Capture and submit it from your profile [4].
Tax debt
Pay or arrange
Pay, or request a payment arrangement once your returns are in [4].
Registration or details
Update them
Most changes on eFiling with the RAV01 form; a branch for your name, ID, registration number or type of entity [6].
Status looks wrong
Challenge Status
Ask SARS to review it [4].

Stay green: Provisional tax: your two payments and Records SARS expects you to keep.

References

General guidance, not tax or legal advice.

  1. [1]South African Revenue Service, “Manage your Tax Compliance Status,” SARS, Oct. 22, 2026. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.sars.gov.za/individuals/manage-your-tax-compliance-status/ (opens in a new tab)
  2. [2]South African Revenue Service, “How to request your Tax Compliance Status,” SARS, Aug. 19, 2026. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.sars.gov.za/individuals/manage-your-tax-compliance-status/how-to-request-your-tax-compliance-status/ (opens in a new tab)
  3. [3]South African Revenue Service, “How to verify Tax Compliance Status,” SARS, Aug. 19, 2026. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.sars.gov.za/individuals/manage-your-tax-compliance-status/how-to-verify-tax-compliance-status/ (opens in a new tab)
  4. [4]South African Revenue Service, “Guide to the Tax Compliance Status functionality on eFiling, GEN-ELEC-08-G01,” SARS, Aug. 28, 2026. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.sars.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/Ops/Guides/GEN-ELEC-08-G01-Guide-to-the-Tax-Compliance-Status-functionality-on-eFiling-External-Guide.pdf (opens in a new tab)
  5. [5]South African Revenue Service, “Services offered via the SARS MobiApp, IT-AE-49-G01,” SARS, Jun. 29, 2026. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.sars.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/IT-AE-49-G01-Services-offered-via-the-SARS-MobiApp-External-Guide.pdf (opens in a new tab)
  6. [6]South African Revenue Service, “Client Information System,” SARS, Aug. 19, 2026. Accessed: Nov. 1, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://www.sars.gov.za/client-segments/client-information-system/ (opens in a new tab)

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