Tax Clearance Certificate

What you need to know

The Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN is the official confirmation from the South African Revenue Service (SARS) that a corporate entity`s tax affairs are in order. While historically known as a Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC), the current digital process provides a dynamic, real-time status using a unique TCS PIN.

Instead of receiving a paper certificate, your company is issued a TCS PIN which is provided to third parties (like government departments, financial institutions, or large clients) to verify your compliance status online via SARS eFiling.

Obtaining a tax clearance certificate (TCS PIN) is non-negotiable for business growth and stability in South Africa. It serves as proof of your company`s financial trustworthiness.

To ensure the prompt approval of your request for tax clearance certificate, your company must meet the following mandatory SARS compliance requirements:

• Complete Submission History

• No Outstanding Debt

• Public Officer/Representative

• Correct Registration Profile

We specialize in providing fast, efficient assistance for the entire process, minimizing delays for your business.

• We access your My Compliance Profile MCP to quickly diagnose any "Red" status indicators (e.g., unfiled returns or unallocated payments).

• We handle the complex process of registering or updating your Public Officer as the SARS Registered Representative, including compiling and submitting all supporting documents (ID, Proof of Address, Incorporation documents).

• We submit the TCS Request via eFiling, selecting the "Good Standing" option for all general business purposes.

• Once SARS approves the status, your company receives the unique TCS PIN via SMS or email. This PIN is valid for 12 months, although the compliance status is verified in real-time whenever the PIN is used.

Need to secure a tender? Our SAIT Registered Tax Practitioners specialize in the SARS tax clearance certificate for business. Contact us immediately to ensure your compliance status is "Green."

Good to know

You will need to appoint a Public Officer for your company if you have not already done so - we are unable to proceed without it.



Price :  R490
How long does it take?   1-7 Days


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Frequently Asked Questions

Tax Registration is the registration number of a company (or individual) as a tax payer.  Tax Clearance is a company tax compliance status – a company is either compliant or not.
A Tax Clearance certificate was a certificate issued annually to ensure that the tax payer is up to date with their tax payments.  It has been replaced with Tax Compliance status which is either compliant or not.
Tax compliance is the tax status of a company or individual which complies with the tax laws and regulations and accurately pays its tax on time.
Many institutions require tax compliance before they will consider doing business with your company.  It is the most basic of all tender requirements and your company will be disqualified from consideration if its tax status is not compliant.  This is to ensure that the company is legitimate and its taxes are up to date.
The Public Officer for a company is the person who is responsible for all matters relating to SARS and the company’s representative for SARS.  In May 2021, SARS introduced tighter measures for companies interacting with SARS and will no longer process any SARS services for companies with no Public Officer appointed.
SARS is the South Africa Revenue Service commonly known as the taxman, is our tax collection authority.  It is a government agency which is responsible for administrating the country’s  tax collection and administration. 

No, a bank account is not required to obtain a tax clearance certificate from SARS

Register company with us, this will provide a business registration number.  SARS then automatically issues an income tax number. For Tax Clearance, ensure all company & director tax affairs are up to date, then apply via our site.

Proves your company`s tax compliance to third parties. Required for tenders, loans, foreign investment, certain employment, and to show Good Standing in South Africa.

Yes.  For you to do any registrations with SARS, you will need someone to register as a Public Officer.  If you do not have a Public Officer, and you are a new company, then you should apply for both simultaneously as there is not much complicance required for your Tax Returns with SARS.  If however a few years have past without appointing a Public Officer, then we would suggest appointing the Public Officer, sorting out the outstanding tax returns then only applying for Tax Clearance.

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Why Tax Clearance

Tax clearance in South Africa is a critical aspect of the country`s tax system, ensuring compliance with tax laws and regulations. It serves as a certificate issued by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) indicating that a taxpayer`s tax affairs are in order. This document is often required in various financial transactions, such as applying for tenders, emigration, obtaining loans, and even securing certain employment positions. To obtain tax clearance in South Africa, taxpayers must fulfill certain requirements and adhere to specific procedures set forth by SARS. These requirements may vary depending on the type of clearance sought and the taxpayer`s circumstances. Generally, individuals and businesses alike must ensure they have filed all necessary tax returns, paid any outstanding taxes, and resolved any outstanding tax-related matters before applying for tax clearance.

Why is tax clearance important in South Africa?

One of the primary purposes of tax clearance is to prevent tax evasion and ensure that taxpayers fulfill their obligations to the state. By issuing tax clearance certificates, SARS confirms that the taxpayer is up to date with their tax obligations, providing assurance to third parties involved in various transactions. For instance, when a company bids for a government tender, it must demonstrate its tax compliance by presenting a valid tax clearance certificate.

What does SARS do, when you apply for Tax Clearance

Once you apply we will submit your application to SARS. SARS then reviews the application and conducts an assessment to verify the taxpayer`s compliance status.SARS may conduct various checks during the assessment process, including reviewing your tax returns, verifying payment records, and conducting audits if necessary. This thorough review ensures that only taxpayers who have met their obligations receive tax clearance certificates.

Delays in Tax Clearance

In some cases, taxpayers may encounter challenges or delays in obtaining tax clearance, especially if there are discrepancies or outstanding issues in their tax records. For example, if a taxpayer has failed to submit certain tax returns or pay outstanding taxes, SARS may withhold or refuse to issue a tax clearance certificate until the matter is resolved. Additionally, tax clearance requirements may differ for specific transactions or industries. For instance, certain industries, such as mining or construction, may have additional compliance requirements or regulations that taxpayers must meet to obtain tax clearance. Despite the stringent requirements, tax clearance serves as an essential tool for promoting transparency, accountability, and trust in South Africa`s tax system. It encourages taxpayers to fulfill their tax obligations promptly and accurately, thereby contributing to the country`s revenue collection efforts and overall economic development.

Tax Clearance and Investment in South Africa

Furthermore, tax clearance plays a vital role in facilitating business transactions and investment in South Africa. Investors and creditors often require assurance that the companies they deal with are tax-compliant, and a valid tax clearance certificate provides this assurance. As such, tax clearance not only benefits individual taxpayers but also supports the growth and stability of the country`s economy. Ultimately, SARS is trying to force compliance with tax laws and regulations. By verifying taxpayers` compliance status and issuing clearance certificates, SARS promotes transparency, accountability, and trust in the tax system, facilitating business transactions and contributing to the country`s economic development.
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