SARS
Quick Answer
What is SARS?
SARS is the South African Revenue Service – the national tax authority that collects income tax, VAT, PAYE and customs duties.
SARS explained
Almost every business obligation in South Africa touches SARS at some point: registration, returns, payments and compliance status. Most interactions happen online through eFiling.
Who it applies to: Every taxpayer and every registered business in South Africa.
Cost: Registration and filing are free; you pay the taxes themselves.
Related terms and guides
Official source: SARS (South African Revenue Service)
Always verify this information with official South African government sources. Rules, fees and thresholds change. Check SARS, CIPC, the Department of Employment and Labour or gov.za before you act.
About BizAnswers: BizAnswers is a privately owned South African company – not a government department. Our guides are free to read and show you how to do things yourself through official channels. If you would rather have the paperwork handled for you, we assist individuals and businesses with filing their South African tax returns and staying compliant, which is a paid service, not a free government service. Contact us for help.
Last reviewed: September 2026 by the BizAnswers editorial team. How we write and check our guides.