What’s New?
26 January 2024 – e@syFile platform upgrade on 27 January 2024
Achieving our Vision 2024 of a smart, modern SARS with unquestionable integrity that is trusted and admired is of paramount importance. Pivotal to the delivery of our vision are our digital platforms & technology infrastructure. To provide clarity & certainty, make it easy for taxpayers & traders to comply with their obligations and building public trust and confidence, our technology assets have to demonstrate the highest levels of availability, robustness and security.In accordance with our Vision and Strategic Objectives, which include modernising our systems to provide Digital and Streamlined online services, we are hard at work ensuring that our digital platforms & technology infrastructure are available, robust & secure, by performing regular upgrades, enhancements, and maintenance.
Considering the above, SARS Digital platform upgrades are scheduled for Saturday, 27 January 2024 from 22h00 to 01h00 on Sunday 28 January 2024.
During this time, you may experience intermittent service interruption on our e@syFile Platforms.
- 31 July 2023 – Updated e@syFileTM Employer Beta release available for trade testing
SARS will again provide you an opportunity to test the updated e@syFile™ Employer build before the formal release in mid-September 2023 for the Employer Interim Reconciliation.
The updated e@syFile™ Employer BETA version with enhanced features for download will be released to you on 14 August 2023. See the Business Requirements Specification here – SARS_PAYE_BRS – PAYE Employer Reconciliation_V22.1.1 for the Employer Interim Reconciliation submission period 202308.
During the testing period from 14 August 2023 to 6 September 2023, all online functionality will be disabled to prevent the incorrect submission of test data into the production environment. This means the application will default to offline mode. Certain menu options will also be disabled as a precautionary measure.
Enhancements will include:
- Minor amendments to source code validations.
- A separate read-only IRP5/IT3(a) certificate that can be issued to employees.
You will be provided with a link in a follow up letter which will allow you access for testing purposes. Please note that this link is confidential and only available to selected individuals. In order to maintain its confidentiality, please exercise caution and do not share it with others.
- To download the latest version of e@syFile, click here.
- Release Notes:
- 16 October 2023 – e@syFile version 7.4.1 was released.
- 18 September 2023 – e@syFile version 7.4.0 was released.
- 24 July 2023 – e@syFile version 7.3.9 was released.
- 17 July 2023 – e@syFile version 7.3.7 was released.
- 17 July 2023 – e@syFile version 7.3.6 was released.
- 26 June 2023 – e@syFile version 7.3.5 was released.
- 8 May 2023 – e@syFile version 7.3.4 was released.
- 24 April 2023 – e@syFile version 7.3.3 was released.
- 21 November 2022 – e@syFile version 7.3.1 was released. Note that release 7.3.0 was included in this release.
- 3 October 2022 – e@syFile version 7.2.9 was released.
- 19 September 2022 – e@syFile version 7.2.8 was released.
- 10 June 2022 – e@syFile version 7.2.7 was released.
- 19 May 2022 – e@syFile version 7.2.6 (including 7.2.5) was released.
To view archived release notes click here.
Business Requirement Specifications (BRS) and timelines
What is e@syFile?
SARS has developed free software linked to eFiling called e@syFile™.
e@syFile™ was designed to help taxpayers (who are employers or payroll administrators) working with SARS to quickly, easily and conveniently manage their tax affairs.
Current information must always be backed-up on your computer prior to installing the latest version, as the installation may delete your current information. Any beta test version downloaded must be uninstalled prior to installing the latest version of e@syFile™.
Ensure that the import file is aligned to the requirements in the latest BRS prior to importing the file to avoid rework.
The latest version of e@syFile™ must always be used as any information submitted to SARS using a previous version won’t be accepted. You will automatically be prompted to update when accessing e@syFile™ or visit eFiling to download the latest version.
Two software applications available
e@syFile™ Employer allows employers and/or payroll administrators to:
- Complete, submit and revise (if necessary) the Monthly Employer Declaration (EMP201)
- Complete, submit and revise the Employer Reconciliation Declaration (EMP501)
- The importing of tax certificates and the capturing the EMP501 can be done offline. You only go online when you are ready to submit to SARS.
- Manage the Employer Account
- Manage Third Party Appointments (AA88s)
- Register employees using the Income Tax Registration (ITREG) function.
Top Tip: The Latest Release notes tells you about the changes which have been made in the software.
2. e@syFile™ DIVIDENDS TAX
e@syFile™ Dividends Tax can be downloaded and the importing and validating of declarations can be done offline. You only go online when you are ready to submit to SARS.
Top Tip: The latest Release Notes tells you about the changes which have been made in the software. tells you about the changes which have been made in the software.
Related Documents
DIV-easyFile-G001 – A Guide to the Declaration of Dividends Tax via easyFile- External Guide
IT-easyFile-G001-Third-Party-Appointment-AA88-e@syFile-Employer-Guide
PAYE-easyFile-G001 – easyFile Employer User Guide – External Guide
PAYE-easyFile-G003 – Requesting a Statement of Account on easyFileEmployer – External Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ: I receive an error message “Failed to connect to the update service”, how do I download the latest version of e@syFile™ Employer?
Where you receive the “Failed to connect to the update...
Read MoreFAQ: I get an error message, concerning Adobe Air, when trying to update to the latest version of e@syFile™ Employer, how do I fix this?
When updating to the latest version of e@syFile™ Employer, make...
Read MoreFAQ: Do I need to tick the Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) field when completing a certificate on e@syFile™ Employer?
The ETI field is only mandatory when you have claimed...
Read MoreFAQ: Are the Employee SIC7 and SEZ codes mandatory on e@syFile™ Employer?
If you have claimed the Employment Tax Incentive (ETI), the...
Read MoreFAQ: While downloading the latest version of the easyFile™ Employer, my anti-virus identified a virus and deleted any e@syFile™ Employer files already installed. Is there a virus on e@syFile™ Employer?
No, easyFile™ Employer is not infected by a virus. Make...
Read More