SARS Mobile Tax Services

What’s New

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.

How to use the Mobile Tax Services

What you can do

You can use WhatsApp to interact with SARS regarding general tax advice or specific Personal Income Tax-related queries. To access SARS via WhatsApp, you must save the SARS WhatsApp number, 0800 11 7277, on your contact list and then commence to contact SARS.

The SARS WhatsApp channel offers the following Personal Income Tax service menu options.

Register for Personal Income Tax
Tax Reference Number
Statement of Account
Refund Status
Audit Status
Notice of Assessment
Two Pot Calculator

Important to note when contacting SARS via WhatsApp

To access tax services provided by SARS on this platform, you must be registered as a personal income taxpayer with SARS. However, this platform can be used by anyone to answer general questions.
The number you use to contact SARS via WhatsApp must be your registered contact details with SARS.
This service is not available for tax practitioners.
You must have data or internet access.

How it works

How to use the Two Pot calculator

How to register for Income Tax

USSD services and steps

There are five services available:

1. Register for Personal Income Tax

2. Two-pot calculator

3. I want my Tax Reference Number (TRN)

4. What is my account balance?

5. Must I file a Personal Income Tax return?

SMS

This channel involves sending a free SMS to SARS requesting a specified tax related service. SARS will respond to the SMS and provide you with the requested information of the tax service request. Where the SMS request is for an appointment with a service consultant, SARS will respond by calling you back to make appointment on your behalf.

The following services are available on the SARS SMS channel:

Tax reference number.
Confirmation if your Personal Income Tax (PIT) return is due for submission.
Requesting an appointment with a SARS Service Consultant.
Statement of Account.

How it works:

Requesting your tax reference number

Confirmation if your Personal Income Tax return is due for submission

Requesting an appointment

Statement of account

Important to note when contacting SARS via SMS

To access tax services provided by SARS on this platform, you must be registered as a personal income taxpayer with SARS.
The number you use to contact SARS must be your registered contact details with SARS.
This service is not available for tax practitioners.

Difference between WhatsApp, USSD and SMS?

Steps:

USSD

SMS

WhatsApp

Type in *134*7277# and dial.

Once dialled, your mobile device will display a menu option of tax services. Select the service your require by replying to the menu option.

SARS will request your ID or Passport or Asylum number. When successfully verified by SARS, your tax resolution will be displayed on your device.

Send an SMS to SARS on 47277 for certain Personal Income Tax related services. These services can be accessed with or without data/airtime.

Save the SARS WhatsApp number, 0800 11 7277, in your contact list or click here to launch the SARS WhatsApp desktop version and 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 access this service you must have data or internet access.

Services:

USSD

SMS

WhatsApp

Two-Pot Calculator
If you want to withdraw from your Two-Pot Retirement System you can now use the tax calculator available on the SARS USSD channel. This calculator provides an estimate of the potential payout.
Personal Income Tax (PIT) registration
You can now register for Personal Income Tax (PIT) via the SARS USSD channel
What’s my Tax number?
This service should be used when you wants to verify that you are registered for Personal Income Tax. This service will display your tax number on your mobile device.

Request Account balance
This service can be used when you are registered for Personal Income Tax and want to determine the balance of your tax account. This service will display your tax balance which includes your Personal Income Tax and Administrative penalties.

Do I need to file a tax return?
This service should be used when you want to verify whether your are registered for Personal Income Tax and liable to submit an Income Tax return. Note that this reply will display the answer of either a Yes or No.

Request an eBooking appointment:
Booking (Space) ID number/Passport number/ Asylum Seeker number
Confirmation request to determine whether to submit a (PIT) tax return:
File (Space) ID number/Passport number/ Asylum Seeker number
Request the issuing of the IT150 (Tax Registration Number):
TRN (Space) ID number/Passport number/ Asylum Seeker number
Request Account related queries (balance statements) and/or provision of Statement of the Account (SOA):
Balance (Space) ID number/Passport number/ Asylum Seeker number

Select a tax service request:

Register for Personal Income Tax
Two Pot Calculator
Tax Reference Number
Statement of Account
Refund Status
Audit Status
Notice of Assessment

Request a general tax query

This service can be used to request general tax advice.

Note:

The WhatsApp, USSD and SMS services are not available for tax practitioners.
The USSD and SMS services are free of charge and only available to Individual Taxpayers for Personal Income Tax (PIT).
The cell number used when requesting a service via WhatsApp, USSD and SMS must be the cell number of the individual PIT profile of the taxpayer as registered on eFiling. To update your registered details, login to eFiling or SARS MobiApp.

Need help?

For more detail on all mobile services available on both smart and basic phones, see the Guide to SARS Mobile Tax Services.

View our helpful tutorial videos:

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs for the SARS USSD services

If my cell phone number and/or information used does not...

Last Updated:

09/10/2024
11:25