Supporting Docs – Registration

Do you want to register as a taxpayer or change your registered particulars?

If you are an individual and you need to register as a taxpayer or make changes to your surname, first name, initials, date of birth, identity number or passport number, passport country or marital status, you will need the following documents as proof of your identity:

  • Copy of a valid identity document, driving license, passport, temporary identity document, asylum seekers certificate or permit together with the original identification.
  • The original ID is also required when visiting a branch.
  • If you are a minor, a copy of your birth certificate together with a copy of the one of the parent’s/guardian’s identity document. If there is no surviving parent, the death certificate of one parent must be provided by the appointed guardian.
  • If you are represented by a legal guardian, a letter confirming legal guardianship or a court order.
  • If you are represented by a Tax Practitioner/Representative, a copy of your ID is required.
  • Where the scanned copy is unclear, the branch should complete the ‘Verification of ID Form’.
  • Where you do not have the updated ID, but a valid marriage certificate – the change may be made.
    • If only a hand written marriage certificate is available, the change will be allowed – but the new ID must also be presented.
  • Where only a new ID is presented without a marriage certificate or ‘old’ ID, the marriage certificate is required.
  • For changes of surname due to cultural belief, you will need:
    • Original (when visiting a SARS office) and a copy of a new ID
    • Letter from Home Affairs.

For proof of banking details for new taxpayers or for changes in banking details for existing taxpayers, see the list of required supporting documents.

Top Tip: If you’re an eFiler, you will be able to change some your personal details via eFiling. Instead of going into a SARS Branch, see which changes can be made via eFiling.

For Employers – if you want to apply for registration of Payroll taxes:

For Non-Executive Director (NED), any of the following documents:

  • IRP5 certificate with source code 3620 (only applicable to resident NED where PAYE was withheld) or 3621 from 2018 year of assessment;
  • Copy of a service contract;
  • Copy of the minutes of the directors’ meeting; or
  • Copy of a letter of appointment as NED.
    • The following documents are not acceptable –
      • Cash flow projection;
      • Business plan; and
      • Tender proposal.

For changes in taxpayer status to Non-Resident:

  • Written request or
  • Copy of residency certificate from a country of residence.
  • If you are emigrating, present your ID and do not change your passport number in the country of residence.

For registration or proof of Address (Business Address/Residential Address):

For General Accounts:

1​​Document requiredValidity Period​​
​1.1​Utility account i.e.  rates and taxes, water, electricity or gas account​Less than 3 months old
​1.2​Educational institution account​​Less than 3 months old
1.3​​​Co-op  statement  (for farmers)​​​Less than 3 months old
1.4​​​Medical aid statement​Less than 3 months old
​1.5​Mortgage statement from mortgage lender​Less than 6 months old
1.6​​​Telephone (Landline and Cell phone networks) account​Less than 3 months old
​1.7​eToll account​Less than 3 months old
1.8​​​SABC television licence documentation​Less than 1 year old
1.9​​​Major Retail accounts​Less than 3 months old

Government issued document:

2​​Document required Validity Period​​​
2.1​​​Motor vehicle licence documentation​Less than 1 year old
2.2​​Court order​Less than 3 months old
​2.3​Subpoena​Less than 3 months old
​2.4​Traffic fine​Less than 3 months old
​2.5​Documentation relating to UIF or pension pay-out​Less than 3 months old
Insurance and Investment:
 
3​​Document required Validity Period​​​​
​3.1​Life assurance document​Less than 1 year old
​3.2​Short- term insurance document​Less than 1 year old
​3.3​Health insurance document​Less than 1 year old
​3.4​Funeral policy document​Less than 1 year old
​3.5​Investment statement from share, portfolio or unit trust​Less than 1 year old
 
Lease / Franchise agreement:
 
​4Document required​Validity Period​​​​
4.1​​​Current and valid agreement​ n/a
Legal documents:
 
​5Document requiredValidity Period​​​​​
​5.1​Any statutory body, Local Government or any other legal document statement
that bear the residential address of the taxpayer.
​Less than 3 months old

If you are a business and need to register as a taxpayer or change your registered particulars:

  • Partnership/Joint venture
    • Certified or uncertified copy of a valid identity document, driving licence, passport, temporary identity document, asylum seekers certificate or permit together with the original identification of partners or copies of registration documents depending on the nature of the company.
    • Confirmation of partnership (VAT128) or Partnership Agreement if not VAT specific.

  • Company/CC/Co-ops
    • Copy of registration documents depending on the nature of the company.
    • A certified or copy of a valid identity document, driving licence or passport, temporary identity document, asylum seekers certificate, permit of two members/directors/shareholders of the company/close corporation/share block.
    • VAT121 form, if the tax period is category E.
    • Co-operative:
      • Copy of a signed constitution, and
      • Co-ops certificate of confirmation, or
      • Notice of registration with the co-operative registration number (CR10)
      • Power of Attorney, if necessary.

  • Body Corporate
    • Copy of one of the following founding documents:
      • Certificate of Establishment, or
      • Management and Conduct Rules of Body Corporate.

  • Film (including a feature film, a documentary or documentary series or an animation)
    • Copy of one of the following:
      • Production Service Agreement (PSA); or
      • Production Dealings Document (Film Board or South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC); or
      • Provisional Acceptance Document issued by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

  • Radio Stations, Educational Institution, Trade Union, Fund
    • Copy of one of the following founding documents:
      • Community radio station – A letter of registration issued by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).
      • Education institution – A copy of the certificate of registration issued by the relevant Education Authority.
      • Trade Union – A copy of certificate of registration issued by the Department of Labour.
      • Pension-/Provident-/Retirement Annuity Fund – A copy of certificate of registration issued by the Financial Services Board.

  • Government Institution (which includes National, Provincial and Local Government) and Municipality
    • Letter on a Letterhead of the Government Institution which indicates their name and address.

  • Association not for gain/Welfare Organisation/Club
    • Copy of one of the following founding documents:
      • Constitution; or
      • Friendly societies registration document.

  • Foreign Donor Funded Project
    • Agreement between International Donor Fund and the RSA Government.

  • Trust
    • Copy of one of the following founding documents:
      • Certificate of registration from the Master’s Office, or
      • Trust deed registered with the  Master’s Office; and
      • Certified or uncertified copy of a valid identity document, driving licence, temporary identity document, asylum seekers certificate, permit; passport of trustee(s).

  • Deceased Estate
    • Copy of death certificate, or
    • Death notice in the Government Gazette, or
    • Copy of the Last Will and Testament, or
    • If a valid Last Will and Testament’ is not available, a Next of Kin’s affidavit, or
    • Copy of the liquidation and distribution account, or
    • Letter of appointment as Executor from the Master of High Court or Magistrate Court , or
    • Inventory.
  • Tax Exempt Institution
    • If you are a business and need to register as a taxpayer or change your registered particulars:
      • Copy of one of the following founding documents:
        • Signed and dated constitution; or
        • Non Profit Company registration documents,
        • Memorandum of Incorporation or Certificate of Incorporation,
        • Trust deed registered with the Master’s Office.
    • A certified copy of a valid identity document, driving licence or passport, temporary identity document, asylum seekers certificate, permit of all three fiduciary responsible office bearers (as contained in Exemption of Income Tax (EI) application).
    • Financial Statements if organisation has been in existence for longer than a year, and for each financial year thereafter that it has been in existence.
    • If dormant, submit affidavit with bank statements.
    • Copy of  proof physical business address; and
    • Copy of proof residential address of the Representative (if not already registered with SARS).

  • For changes in office bearers/directors/trustees:
    • Signed and dated minutes of the meeting where the resolution was made to change the office bearers. Minutes of the meeting should be signed by both current and previous members;
    • Amended MOI and Incorporation Certificate/Trust Deed/Letter of Authority with all active trustees/constitution
    • Completed EI1 and EI2 signed by directors /trustees/current members, and
    • Proof of residential address for the newly appointed members
    • Certified copy of a valid identity document, driving licence or passport, temporary identity document, asylum seekers certificate, permit of all three fiduciary responsible office bearers (as contained in Exemption of Income Tax (EI) application).
  • For applications for Section 18A exemption:
    • Letter requesting for a Section 18A exemption
    • Recent financial statements
    • Detailed description of activities
    • A copy of founding document/s.
  • For deregistration of a Tax Exempt Institution:

    • Letter on the organisation’s letterhead stating the dissolution of assets acquired as a PBO.
    • Recent financial statements.

For changes in VAT liability date for existing Compulsory and Voluntary Registrations:

  • All entities
    • Associated sales invoices; or
    • Signed contracts; or
    • Financial statements.

For changes in Representative/Public Officer/Tax Practitioner: 

  • An image of yourself taken on the day that the request is submitted, clearly showing yourself holding up a copy of your ID document and a note that reads ‘Update my details’.
  • A copy of your valid identity document or drivers licence or passport or temporary identity document or asylum seekers certificate/permit, together with the original identification (for those visiting a SARS office).
  • A copy of your proof of residential address.
  • A copy of your Letter of Appointment in your capacity as Representative, signed by the authorised representatives of the relevant body e.g. Board resolution for a company, Letter of authority for a trust, POA completed by the Accounting Officer for Government Institutions etc.
  • A copy of the Notice of Incorporation of the entity that you are representing e.g. CM1/CoR14.1 for a company, or
    • A copy of the Trust Deed, in the case of a Trust, or
    • A copy of the identity document of the taxpayer, in case of and individual, or
    • A copy of the Partnership / Joint Venture Agreement in the case of a Partnership or Joint Venture.
  • For a member or director within a non-representative relationship, a POA is required.
  • For Government Institutions:
    • POA completed by Accounting Officer indicating the details of representative taxpayer for the institution
    • Original and Certified copy of ID of the representative taxpayer visiting the SARS office
    • Example of Accounting Officer is:
      • Head of Department in case of National and Provincial Government Departments
      • Municipal Manager in case of Local Government
      • COO/CFO in case of State Owned Entities
  • Letter of appointment authorising appointed representative to act as Public Officer on behalf of company or minutes of meeting where the resolution was made that the appointed representative should act as the Public Officer of the company; and
  • One document from the list of company registration documents.
 

For changes in Financial information (VAT):

  • If the source of financial information is not in SA currency, the applicant must be requested to translate the value in SA currency rand value as a date application for VAT registration.
  • Copy of financial information listed as source under financial particulars (to determine value of taxable supplies) but not limited to the following:
    • Copies of invoices issued; or
    • Signed financial statements; or
    • Written approval confirming that the tender was awarded; or
    • Copies of written signed contracts; or
    • Sale agreements; or
    • Copies of signed lease agreements; or
      • The lessee and lessor cannot be the same person
    • Plans, rezoning documents, financing methods and/or signed offers of purchase which indicate occupation date for property development together with proof of expenses already incurred; or
    • For going concern transactions – proof of taxable supplies made by business seller; or
    • Purchase orders

For changes in the sale of a going concern (VAT):

  • Sales Agreement between the purchaser and seller confirming that the business (or part of the business) is disposed of as a going concern and that the enterprise will be an income-earning activity on the date of transfer.
  • Copy of seller’s zero-rated tax invoice in respect of the sale of business (or part of business).  In instances where the purchasing vendor is not in possession of Zero Rated tax invoice, the written agreement must be considered when registering for VAT, stipulating:
      • The business is sold as a going concern;
      • The business will continue with income earning activities on the transfer date;
      • The business disposed to the purchaser includes all the necessary assets for carrying on the business; and
      • The sale includes VAT at the rate of 0%.
  • Proof that the seller’s turnover, for the past period of twelve months, exceeded R50 000 e.g.:
    • Signed financial statements;
    • Management accounts;
    • The Sales Agreement, if turnover is stipulated therein;
    • Tax invoice(s) issued other than the zero rated tax invoice for the going concern sale; or
    • VAT returns for the past period of twelve months.

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