How to change your SARS eFiling mobile number or email address

Direct answer

If you can log in, select My Profile, then Profile and Preference Setup, and update the email address and/or cell number under Security Contact Details. Choose the preferred communication method, submit the change and enter the OTP. If you cannot log in, a registered South African citizen can use Update Contact Details on the login screen and pass biometric verification before updating the security contact.

These are eFiling security contacts. They are not automatically the same as contact details held in your SARS registered particulars.

What this means in practice

SARS uses the eFiling security email address and cell number to authenticate the user and issue OTPs for certain actions. Keep them current and under your own control. If SARS detects that the same contact detail is already actively used by another eFiler, it displays an error and instructs the user to enter an alternative contact detail or seek SARS assistance.

Tax correspondence works differently. SARS says entity contact details are used for tax-related correspondence such as a notice of assessment. The RAV01 registered-details process is used to amend those records. Changing a security contact can solve an OTP problem without changing where other SARS correspondence is sent.

Step-by-step

1. Use the logged-in route where possible.

Log in to your own eFiling profile. From the left menu select My Profile, then Profile and Preference Setup. Scroll to Security Contact Details.

1. Enter the new contact information.

Add the new email address and/or cell number. Select the communication method you prefer for OTP delivery and choose Update Preferred. Do not enter a shared inbox or a colleague's number simply because it is convenient.

1. Authenticate the change.

SARS sends an OTP to the selected preferred method. Enter it on eFiling. SARS indicates that a confirmation message displays when security contact details have been updated successfully.

1. Use the login-screen route if you are locked out.

Select Update Contact Details on the eFiling login screen. Complete the requested personal details, read the biometrics notice and follow the facial-recognition process. A successful biometric check allows the user to capture updated contact details and choose the preferred OTP channel.

1. Complete the OTP confirmation at the new contact.

Enter the OTP sent to the new number or email address. Keep the confirmation. Return to the original eFiling task only after the contact update succeeds.

1. Use the SARS fallback where required.

SARS says the no-login contact-update function is only for registered eFilers who are South African citizens. If you are not a South African citizen, have forgotten the security contact details or fail biometrics, call the SARS Contact Centre or book an appointment as SARS directs.

Documents and records to keep

• Existing eFiling access for the logged-in method.
• Your first name, surname and South African ID number for the login-screen method.
• A camera-enabled device for biometric facial recognition.
• Access to the new email address or mobile number for OTP confirmation.
• Confirmation that the security details were changed.

Important limits and exceptions

Do not use the RAV01 contact-details section to update eFiling security details. SARS explicitly distinguishes the two. Conversely, changing a security contact does not amend the taxpayer's registered correspondence contact details.

The login-screen recovery method needs successful biometric verification. It is not an alternative way for another person, employee or adviser to take over a taxpayer's eFiling profile. Do not share the password or OTP during this process.

When to get tailored advice

Get help if the profile belongs to a company, trust, estate or a taxpayer represented by another person, or if a changed contact creates a conflict with access arrangements. A registered representative's authority is a separate SARS question.

TaxProof can help you distinguish access administration from the underlying taxpayer records and organise SARS correspondence. SARS must authenticate and make the security-contact change.

Related TaxProof guides

• Update your SARS registered representative
• How do I update my physical or postal address with SARS online? (B01-ADM-004)
• Why is SARS eFiling not sending my one-time PIN? (B01-ADM-002)

Sources

• SARS, Guide to Register for eFiling and Manage your User Profile
• SARS, Guide to submit your Individual Income Tax Return via eFiling