Tax Clearance
Quick Answer
What is Tax Clearance?
Tax clearance is the old name for what is now Tax Compliance Status – proof that your SARS affairs are in order.
Tax Clearance explained
Paper certificates were replaced by the online TCS PIN system. When a tender document still says “tax clearance certificate”, it means a TCS PIN.
Who it applies to: Anyone asked for a tax clearance – request a TCS PIN instead.
Cost: Free.
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.