How to activate a tax type on your SARS eFiling profile

Direct answer

Activate a tax type through Manage Tax Types in the correct eFiling portfolio. On an individual profile, select Home, User, Tax Types, then Manage Tax Types, choose the registered tax type, submit the choice and continue to confirm it. Organisation and tax-practitioner portfolios use the selected taxpayer's Manage Tax Types screen.

Activation enables eFiling transactions for a tax type. It does not by itself register a person or business for that tax.

What this means in practice

SARS says the applicable tax type must be activated on eFiling to transact, for example to submit returns, make payments or request a statement of account. The page shows only what SARS has linked to the taxpayer and the action available for that record.

If the tax type is already controlled on another profile, the task may be a tax type transfer rather than an ordinary activation. SARS says the owner or registered representative of that tax number must approve a transfer for it to be completed. Do not deactivate or transfer a tax type merely to solve a navigation problem without checking the portfolio and authority first.

Step-by-step

1. Confirm that the taxpayer is registered for the tax type.

This guide begins after SARS registration. It is about turning on eFiling functionality. Whether you must register for VAT, PAYE, provisional tax or another tax is a separate substantive question.

1. Open the correct eFiling portfolio.

Use the individual portfolio for your own individual tax profile. In an organisation or tax-practitioner portfolio, select the correct taxpayer before changing anything. Search using the taxpayer's name, registration number, ID number or tax reference number where eFiling offers those search fields.

1. Use the individual activation route.

On an individual portfolio, select Home, then User, Tax Types and Manage Tax Types. SARS says a list of taxes for which you are registered will display. Select the item to activate, select Submit, then Continue on the summary screen.

1. Use the organisation or practitioner route.

On an organisation or practitioner portfolio, use the taxpayer's details screen and select Manage Tax Types. SARS says the screen displays linked tax types, reference numbers, activation status and available actions. Select the applicable action, then submit and continue through the summary.

1. Treat a transfer as a separate approval process.

If eFiling presents a transfer request, check who currently owns or represents the tax type. SARS says the owner or registered representative must approve the transfer. Monitor the request status rather than treating the request submission as completed activation.

1. Check the final status.

Return to Manage Tax Types and verify the status that eFiling displays. If the required type is not present at all, deal with the separate registration or profile issue rather than assuming the activation was successful.

Documents and records to keep

• Access to the correct eFiling profile and taxpayer portfolio.
• The taxpayer's correct identity, registration or tax reference details for an organisation search.
• Any communication or approval from the owner or registered representative for a transfer.
• A copy or screenshot of the confirmed eFiling status for your records.

Important limits and exceptions

Activating a tax type on eFiling is not the same as being registered for the tax product with SARS. It also does not decide whether a return is due, which return period applies or whether an amount is payable.

Individual, organisation and practitioner navigation differs. The action that eFiling displays can depend on the existing status and profile relationship. A transfer requires approval where SARS says it does, so do not state that activation has finished until the system shows the result.

When to get tailored advice

Get tailored advice before activating a tax type if you are unsure whether the taxpayer must be registered for it, if the account is held by another representative or practitioner, or if the record is for a company, trust or estate. Those are not just eFiling menu questions.

TaxProof can help identify the relevant filing or registration guide and organise records. SARS controls tax type registration, profile activation and transfer approval.

Related TaxProof guides

• Provisional tax and IRP6 in South Africa
• Register PAYE, UIF and SDL in South Africa
• Why is my tax type missing from SARS eFiling? (B01-ADM-007)

Sources

• SARS, Guide to Register for eFiling and Manage your User Profile
• SARS, How do I activate a tax type on eFiling?