SARS Tax Number for Foreigners: How to Register and Why Your Salary Depends on It
⚠️ Disclaimer: For general information only — not tax, financial, legal, or medical advice. Figures may be outdated or incorrect; tax rules change frequently. Verify important decisions with the CRA/IRS or a qualified professional (for health topics, a licensed healthcare provider). You use this information at your own risk.
The short answer
The single most-asked tax question on expat forums is some version of: "My employer says I need a SARS tax number before my first paycheck — how do I get one?" The answer is reassuringly simple: registering with SARS is free, and since the introduction of automatic issuance, your first registration on eFiling generates your tax number on the spot. But the timing trips people up — here is the full picture.
Why you need it
- No tax number, no payroll. Employers cannot run PAYE without your tax number. Many newcomers discover this in their first week when HR asks for it.
- Legal deadline: you must register with SARS within 60 days of becoming liable for tax (Immigration-adjacent expat guides and Grant Thornton confirm the 60-day rule).
- It unlocks everything else: eFiling, tax returns, VAT registration, and proof of tax compliance employers and banks ask for.
How to register (step by step)
- Online via eFiling (sars.gov.za): create an eFiling profile, complete the registration — the system automatically issues your income tax number on first successful registration.
- In person at a SARS branch: bring your passport, visa/permit, and proof of address. SARS verifies originals and registers you.
- What you get: a 10-digit tax reference number. Keep it — it follows you for life, across employers and visa types.
- Provisional taxpayers (freelancers): register as a provisional taxpayer too — separate from the basic income tax registration.
Common problems and fixes
- "SARS says I already have a number." Previous employers or a prior stay may have registered you. Use the "forgot tax number" recovery on eFiling or call SARS — do not register twice.
- No proof of address yet. The classic newcomer loop: SARS wants proof of address, the bank wants a tax number. A signed lease, even short-term, usually breaks the loop. Some SARS branches accept a letter from your host plus their documents.
- eFiling locked or case number confusion. New registrations sometimes trigger verification holds — respond to the SARS SMS/email promptly with the requested documents.
- Working remotely for a foreign employer? You may still need to register if you are tax-resident. Get advice rather than assuming "foreign salary = no SARS".
Frequently asked questions
Is registration really free?
Yes — SARS registration costs nothing. Anyone charging you a "SARS registration fee" is either an agent marking up their service or a scam.
How long does it take?
Online: often same-day if documents are in order. In person: same visit, though queues at busy branches are long — book an appointment where available.
Do students need one?
Only if earning — but the 20-hours/week work right on a study visa means most working students will need one before their first payslip.
Does the number expire if I leave?
No — it stays dormant. If you return years later, you reactivate rather than re-register.
Sources
- https://www.sars.gov.za/types-of-tax/personal-income-tax/ (SARS — personal income tax: registration)
- https://www.grantthornton.global/en/insights/articles/expatriate-tax-SouthAfrica/ (Grant Thornton — expatriate tax: 60-day registration rule; eFiling auto-issues tax number)
- https://www.sars.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/Ops/Guides/LAPD-IT-G21-Guide-on-the-Taxation-of-Foreigners-working-in-South-Africa.pdf (SARS — guide on the taxation of foreigners working in South Africa)
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