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How do I activate Mandatory Disclosure Rules on eFiling?
How do I activate Mandatory Disclosure Rules on eFiling?
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Direct answer
SARS says a Mandatory Disclosure Rules disclosing entity can register and activate MDR as a tax type in the MDR001 form on eFiling. The user needs an eFiling profile. In the organisation profile, select Organisations, then Tax Type, then Manage Tax Types, choose Mandatory Disclosure Rules and submit the request. Once the MDR tax type is successfully activated, the MDR form can be accessed.
Activation provides access to the SARS process. It does not decide whether an entity has an MDR obligation or whether an arrangement meets a reporting hallmark. Keep that technical decision separate from profile administration.
What this means in practice
Start with authority and entity identity. SARS's guide distinguishes an individual login within an organisation profile from a registered representative or tax practitioner acting in the organisation profile. A correct person using the wrong taxpayer profile can create a record for the wrong entity, so first check the entity name, tax references, user role and formal authority.
MDR activation is a once-per-entity operational control, not a deadline-day task. If the tax type is not active, a team may be unable to complete MDR001 when it needs to file. Build the activation into the reporting calendar and test access before a disclosure requires submission.
SARS says MDR tax type is linked and activated against the main tax type in priority order starting with Income Tax, then PAYE, then VAT. This is a system relationship, not an instruction to select a convenient tax reference. Where the displayed entity or main tax type is unexpected, stop and resolve the profile issue instead of pressing ahead.
Step-by-step
- Confirm the MDR disclosing entity and identify the person authorised to act for it. Record the entity name, income-tax reference and eFiling organisation profile used. Confirm that the user has the required eFiling rights.
- Log in through the approved individual account linked to the organisation profile. Do not share credentials or use a departed employee's access. Ensure the organisation shown on screen is the intended MDR disclosing entity.
- Select Organisations from the SARS main menu. Select the Tax Type submenu and then Manage Tax Types. SARS says the list of applicable tax products will be displayed at this point.
- Select Mandatory Disclosure Rules (MDR) from the available tax types. Read the requested action carefully before submitting. Capture a screenshot or controlled note of the request, user and date for the compliance file.
- Select Submit and then Continue as shown by SARS's current screens. Review the requested actions and the activation-status page. Do not assume that pressing Submit alone means activation has been completed.
- Confirm the result. SARS says successful MDR activation gives access to the MDR form. Open the relevant area only to confirm controlled access, without creating a report before the reporting decision and information are ready.
- Record the activation in the reporting calendar. Include the responsible user, backup user, entity, activation date and evidence location. Review access when roles, representatives or organisation details change.
Documents and records to keep
- Proof of authority of the registered representative or tax practitioner.
- Entity references and confirmation of the correct eFiling organisation profile.
- The MDR activation confirmation and status evidence.
- User-rights register and internal access approval.
- MDR reportability workpapers kept separately from simple activation records.
Important limits and exceptions
MDR activation is procedural. It does not constitute a SARS opinion that an entity is a disclosing entity, that a report must be made or that a completed MDR001 is accurate. Do not use the availability of a tax type as evidence of the underlying legal position.
SARS's current guidance places the MDR request within the organisation profile and refers to roles such as the registered representative and tax practitioner. Access can depend on those roles. If the MDR option is absent, first verify the profile, entity linkage and permissions before trying a different taxpayer or repeatedly changing tax-type settings.
When to get tailored advice
Get specialist advice where the team is unsure whether MDR applies, the entity is part of a group, the disclosing entity may be an intermediary, or an MDR filing deadline is close. Seek eFiling support through the verified SARS channel if access fails after the entity and user rights have been checked.