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How to get a tax number, free, today

A new job, a bank account or a bursary asks for your tax number and suddenly it is urgent. Good news: SARS gives it to you automatically when you register on eFiling, it costs nothing, and you never need a consultant for this step.

R0registering costs nothing; no consultant needed
Minutesto finish online; almost nobody needs a branch
47277SMS TRN plus your ID number to get a lost number back
3 monthsmaximum age of the proof of address a branch accepts

First time: register on eFiling

  1. 1Go to efiling.sars.gov.zaOr install the SARS MobiApp, and click Register
  2. 2Follow the promptsWith your South African ID number, personal details and contact details
  3. 3If you have never had a tax numberSARS automatically registers you for personal income tax during this process and issues your number. There is no separate application anymore, and the old paper IT77 form is discontinued
  4. 4Verify yourselfWhen prompted; SARS may ask for a selfie style identity check or supporting documents through the site

Prefer not to use eFiling? Since February 2026 you can also register for personal income tax through the SARS Online Query System at tools.sars.gov.za, by USSD on *134*7277#, or on WhatsApp at 0800 11 7277 by sending the word Hi. Your employer can also register you through their own eFiling profile.

Already have a number but lost it?

If you truly need a branch

Book first through the SARS eBooking service; branches turn walk ins away. Take your ID (or driving licence, passport or asylum certificate), proof of address not older than three months, and proof of your bank details such as a bank letter or statement. Branch visits are mainly for people without an SA ID number or with identity verification problems; everyone else finishes online in minutes.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a tax number for the first time?

Register on eFiling or the SARS MobiApp with your ID. SARS automatically registers you for personal income tax and issues the number during the process. Free, no consultant needed.

How do I find my tax number if I lost it?

SMS TRN plus your ID number to 47277, WhatsApp 0800 11 7277, dial *134*7277#, or use the What's my tax number service on the SARS Online Query System, which emails your IT150. All free.

Do I need to go to a SARS branch?

Almost never. Everything happens on eFiling, the MobiApp, SMS, USSD or WhatsApp. If a branch is unavoidable, book through eBooking first; walk ins are turned away.

Does having a tax number mean I must pay tax?

No. It is an identity, not a bill. Tax is only owed when your income crosses the annual threshold, and many registered people owe nothing or get refunds.

Company eFiling locked or tangled?

Company profiles stuck on an old accountant, a missing registered representative or a blocked eFiling transfer: we untangle it for R690.

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Channels and steps per SARS pages updated August 2026. SARS processes change; sars.gov.za always takes precedence. Information, not tax advice.