What’s New
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:
- 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.
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 ontact list and then commence to contact SARS.
The SARS WhatsApp channel offers the following Personal Income Tax service menu options.
- Tax Reference Number
- Statement of Account
- Refund Status
- Audit Status
- Notice of Assessment
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
There are Three services available:
1. I want my Tax Reference Number (TRN):
2. What is my account balance?
3. Must I file a Personal Income Tax return?
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.
Steps:
USSD | SMS | |
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 | |
|
| Select a tax service request:
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:
Related Documents
Related Documents
IT-AE-45-G01 – Guide to SARS Mobile Tax Services – External Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs for the SARS USSD services
If my cell phone number and/or information used does not...
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