SARS Mobile Tax Services

What’s New

20 December 2024 – How to register for a Personal Income Tax Reference Number via SARS USSD Service Channel

You can now also register for Personal Income tax and a Tax Reference Number through our USSD channel. View our tutorial video on how to register for a Tax Reference Number through USSD.

9 December 2024 – Notice of registration (IT150) now issued on WhatsApp

To provide efficient tax services for taxpayers’ convenience, SARS has introduced the issuing of the Notice of Registration (IT150) via the SARS WhatsApp number (0800 11 7277).

Taxpayers who contact the SARS WhatsApp Number and selects the option to either register for Personal Income Tax (PIT) or request for their Tax Reference Number (TRN) will be required to provide certain details. Those registering for PIT must submit their demographic and personal information, while those requesting their TRN must provide their SARS registered details.

Upon successful verification of the submitted information and validation of the cell number used to contact the SARS WhatsApp service, the IT150 will be issued as an attachment within the WhatsApp chat. It will also be available for saving or downloading. To ensure the security of taxpayers’ information, the IT150 will be encrypted, requiring the taxpayer to enter their ID number or passport details (UPPERCASE) to access the file.

21 November 2024 – Check your Two-Pot application status

Taxpayers can now check the progress of their Two-Pot directive application via WhatsApp or the SARS USSD channel. The feedback on the progress of their application will indicate one of the following: In Progress, Declined, or Finalised. If there is no directive application the feedback will be: There are no tax directive applications received on the tax reference number provided.

To access feedback on the progress of a tax directive application, follow these three simple steps:

• Step 1: Initiate the service request
  • USSD: Dial the SARS service code and select “Two-Pot Progress”
  • WhatsApp: Send “Hi” to the SARS WhatsApp number, tap on the menu option and select “Two-Pot Progress”
• Step 2: Text and send your SARS registered details
  • South African ID number
  • Tax Reference Number
• Step 3: Access your resolution
  • The status of your tax directive application will be displayed and sent via SMS.

9 October 2024 – New functions have been added to SARS USSD services

The SARS USSD channel allows users to access SARS services by dialling a service code. By dialling *134*7277#, users are presented with a list of menu items to select from. The USSD service channel has been updated to include the Two-Pot tax calculator and Personal Income Tax (PIT) registration.

Taxpayers who wish to withdraw from their Two-Pot Retirement System can now use the tax calculator available on the SARS USSD channel. This calculator provides an estimate of the potential payout. Additionally, individuals can now register for Personal Income Tax (PIT) via the SARS USSD channel.

8 July 2024 – Taxpayers can now use WhatsApp to interact with SARS for tax advice and specific personal income tax queries.

To initiate an interaction, taxpayers should simply text a greeting i.e., “Hi or Hello”. SARS will respond with a description of the service offerings and a service request menu.

To engage SARS via WhatsApp:

• From your mobile phone: save the SARS WhatsApp number, 0800 11 7277, in your contact list;
• From your desktop: Click here to launch the SARS WhatsApp desktop version and follow the prompts.

You can do the following via WhatsApp:

• Register for Personal Income Tax
• Make use of the Two-Pot Calculator
• Request your Tax Reference Number;
• Request your Statement of Account;
• Request your Return Refund Status;
• Request your Audit Status;
• Request your Notice of Assessment.

To authenticate you successfully, you will need to WhatsApp us from your mobile device number registered on the SARS systems. 

For more information, see the Mobile Services guide or our video How to use the SARS WhatsApp Channel.

What are Mobile Tax Services?

Taxpayers with no internet connectivity or smart phones can request certain tax services for free.

USSD or quick codes as it is known, is a feature available to taxpayers.

Taxpayers who have basic standard mobile devices (not a smart phone or internet) can send an SMS or a USSD request to SARS. 

Taxpayers with smart phones and internet have access to more services including WhatsApp, SARS MobiApp, Live Chat and ‘Ask SARS a question’. For more detail on all mobile services available on both smart and basic phones, see the online Guide to SARS Mobile Tax Services.

Or if you have any issues using these services, see the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ section at the bottom of this webpage.