What Is a SARS Tax Number and How Do I Get One?
Quick Answer
What Is a SARS Tax Number and How Do I Get One?
A SARS tax reference number is the unique number identifying a person or company to SARS. Companies receive one automatically when registered at CIPC. Individuals and sole proprietors register on eFiling or at a SARS branch with an ID and proof of address.
What this means in plain language
One number per taxpayer, for life – it follows you across jobs and businesses. A sole proprietor uses their personal tax number for the business; a company gets its own separate number.
You need it everywhere: opening a business bank account, registering on eFiling, applying for Tax Compliance Status, and answering the first question on almost every official form.
Who this applies to
- New companies – the number arrives automatically with CIPC registration
- Sole proprietors and individuals who have never registered with SARS
Step by step
- Companies: check your CIPC registration email – the income tax number is issued automatically.
- Individuals: register on SARS eFiling or book a SARS branch appointment with your ID, proof of address and bank details.
- Activate eFiling and link the tax number to your profile.
- Store the number where you can find it – you will quote it constantly.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Registering twice – one person, one number, for life.
- Assuming the company’s number covers you personally – directors still have their own personal tax numbers and returns.
- Confusing the tax reference number with the VAT or PAYE numbers – each tax type gets its own linked number.
A South African example
A Kimberley sole proprietor registers on eFiling with her ID and a municipal bill. Her tax reference number arrives in minutes; the same number later anchors her provisional tax and her turnover tax election.
Related questions
- What Must I Do After Registering a Company in South Africa?
- SARS Tax for Small Businesses: The Complete 2026 Guide
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my company automatically get a tax number?
Yes. CIPC shares new company registrations with SARS, which issues an income tax reference number automatically – usually within days of incorporation.
How do I find my tax number if I lost it?
Log in to SARS eFiling, check any previous SARS correspondence or IRP5, or call the SARS contact centre on 0800 00 7277 with your ID number.
Is a tax number the same as a VAT number?
No. The tax reference number identifies you for income tax. A VAT number is a separate registration issued only when you register for VAT, linked to the same taxpayer profile.
Official sources
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.
You May Also Like
What Is a SARS Public Officer and Does My Company Need One?
How to Register for VAT in South Africa (2026: R2.3 Million Threshold)
