SARS Compliance Check (MCP)
Check Outstanding SARS Tax Returns
Identify unfiled returns across Income Tax (ITR12/ITR14), Dormant Companies, VAT201, PAYE (EMP201/EMP501), and Provisional Tax to stop recurring monthly penalties.
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eFiling Navigation & Turnaround
My Compliance Profile (MCP) Path & Update Speed
MCP Status Update After Filing: 24–48 Hours
eFiling Navigation Path: Log into eFiling → Tax Status → My Compliance Profile (MCP) → Filing of Returns
Verified SARS Portal
Check Your Outstanding Returns Directly with SARS
Access official SARS digital query tools to view unfiled tax returns and penalty statuses.
Outstanding Returns Check
How to Check & Clear Outstanding Returns Online
01
Open My Compliance Profile (MCP) on eFiling or SOQS Dashboard
Log into SARS eFiling and click "Tax Status > My Compliance Profile (MCP) > Filing of Returns", or visit tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/visualdashboard.
02
Expand Each Tax Type to Identify Red "Non-Compliant" Periods
Click on Income Tax (ITR12/ITR14), Provisional Tax (IRP6), Value-Added Tax (VAT201), and PAYE (EMP201 & bi-annual EMP501) to view every exact tax year or period marked as "Outstanding".
03
Check Your Administrative Penalty Statement of Account (APSA)
Navigate to "Returns > Penalty > Request Administrative Penalty SOA" to check if SARS is billing recurring monthly penalties (R250 to R16,000/month) for up to 35 months per unfiled return.
04
Request & Submit All Overdue Returns (Including Nil Returns)
Even if your company did not trade, you must submit dormant/nil ITR14 and VAT201 returns to clear the outstanding status.
05
Lodge a Request for Remission (RFR01) Once All Returns Are Filed
Once the Filing of Returns pillar turns green (within 24–48 hours of filing), submit a formal RFR01 on eFiling to request a waiver of the administrative non-compliance penalties.
Non-Compliance Penalties
Common Traps That Trigger SARS Administrative Penalties
Recurring Monthly Penalties Under Section 210–211 of the TAA
SARS levies fixed-amount administrative penalties ranging from R250/month to R16,000/month (based on prior-year taxable income) for every month a return remains unfiled, recurring for up to 35 months.
Dormant Companies Failing to File Nil ITR14 & IRP6 Returns
Registering a company with CIPC automatically activates a SARS Income Tax number. Until deregistered, dormant companies must file annual nil ITR14 returns or face administrative penalties and blocked TCS PINs.
Missing Bi-Annual EMP501 Reconciliations Despite Paying Monthly EMP201s
Many employers file all 12 monthly EMP201 returns on time but forget the May (interim) or October (final) EMP501 EasyFile reconciliation—turning their Filing pillar red and incurring a 10% PAYE penalty.
Section 95 Estimated Assessments Issued by SARS
Where a taxpayer fails to submit an overdue return after notice, SARS issues a unilateral Section 95 Estimated Assessment which cannot be objected to until the complete actual return is submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I check which tax returns are outstanding on SARS eFiling?
Log into SARS eFiling -> click "Tax Status" in the top menu -> click "My Compliance Profile (MCP)" -> expand the "Filing of Returns" pillar. Every unfiled tax year or bi-monthly/monthly period across ITR12/ITR14, IRP6, VAT201, EMP201, and EMP501 will be listed in red.
How quickly does SARS update my compliance status after I submit an overdue return?
Once an overdue ITR12, ITR14, VAT201, or EMP201 return is submitted on eFiling, the "Filing of Returns" pillar on My Compliance Profile typically updates from Red (Non-Compliant) to Green (Compliant) within 24 to 48 hours.
What are SARS administrative non-compliance penalties?
Under Sections 210 and 211 of the Tax Administration Act, SARS automatically charges a fixed monthly penalty (starting at R250/month and scaling up to R16,000/month depending on taxable income) for every single month a required tax return remains unsubmitted.
Can administrative penalties be waived once I file my outstanding returns?
Yes! Once 100% of your outstanding tax returns have been submitted, our registered tax practitioners can lodge a formal Request for Remission (RFR01) under Sections 215–218 of the TAA to have first-incidence or exceptional-circumstance penalties remitted.
Can My Accountant clear multi-year backlogs of unfiled company or personal returns?
Yes! We specialize in rapid backlog clean-ups—reconciling historical bank statements, compiling backdated Annual Financial Statements, filing all overdue ITR14, ITR12, VAT201, and EMP501 returns within 48–72 hours, and applying for penalty remission.
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