SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) & Verification
Request & Verify SARS Tax Compliance Status PIN
Obtain an official SARS TCS PIN for Good Standing, Tenders, or Approval International Transfer (AIT)—or verify a third-party vendor’s TCS PIN in real time.
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eFiling Navigation & Turnaround
Exact SARS eFiling Path & Processing Times
Good Standing: Instant | AIT: 5–21 Business Days
Request Path on eFiling
Tax Status → Tax Compliance Status → Activation → Tax Compliance Status Request
Requires all 4 My Compliance Profile (MCP) pillars—Registration, Filing, Debt, and Relevant Material—to be green.
Verification Path (Third-Party)
SOQS → Verify Tax Compliance Status (or eFiling: Tax Status → Verify Status)
Requires the supplier or contractor’s 10-digit Tax Reference Number and their active TCS PIN.
Verified SARS Portal
Request Your SARS TCS PIN Online
Access the official SARS digital portal to request your real-time Tax Compliance Status PIN.
Verified SARS Portal
Verify a Third-Party SARS TCS PIN Directly
Use the official SARS online verification portal to check a vendor, contractor, or individual’s real-time tax clearance.
Part 1: TCS Request Workflow
How to Request a SARS TCS PIN
01
Log into SARS eFiling or Open SOQS
Log into your SARS eFiling profile, click "Tax Status" in the top ribbon, and expand "Tax Compliance Status" in the left menu—or go to tools.sars.gov.za/soqs for once-off Good Standing PIN requests.
02
Activate Your My Compliance Profile (MCP)
If requesting via eFiling for the first time, click "Activation", review the four compliance pillars (Registration, Filing of Returns, Debt, and Relevant Material), and enable TCS functionality.
03
Select TCS Request Type & Complete Form
Navigate to "Tax Compliance Status Request", select your PIN purpose from the dropdown (Good Standing, Tender, or Approval International Transfer / AIT), and click "Continue".
04
Upload Supporting Documents (Mandatory for AIT)
For Good Standing or Tender PINs, no upload is needed if all pillars are green. For AIT (offshore transfers > R1m), upload 3 years of Assets & Liabilities statements, bank statements, and source-of-funds proof.
05
Download TCS Letter & 10-Character PIN
Open "Tax Compliance Status Requests" worklist, click "Print PIN", and save your official SARS TCS PIN letter displaying your Tax Reference Number and unique PIN.
Part 2: Third-Party TCS PIN Verification
How to Verify a Third-Party TCS PIN Online
Validate the real-time tax compliance status of vendors, suppliers, contractors, or employees before awarding tenders or releasing payments.
01
Access the SARS TCS Verification Portal
Go to tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/tcsverify or on SARS eFiling navigate to "Tax Status > Tax Compliance Status > Verify Status".
02
Enter the Taxpayer’s 10-Digit Tax Reference Number
Input the 10-digit SARS Income Tax Reference Number of the vendor, contractor, or individual printed on their TCS letter.
03
Input the Unique TCS PIN
Enter the alphanumeric TCS PIN exactly as supplied by the taxpayer (case-sensitive) and click "Submit".
04
Inspect Live Pillar Compliance Results
SARS queries the taxpayer’s live account in real time and returns either "Compliant" (Green) or "Non-Compliant" (Red) along with the entity’s registered legal name.
05
Print Verification Confirmation for Audit Records
Download or print the timestamped SARS verification result page for your procurement, CSD tender, or bank audit file.
Troubleshooting & Edge Cases
Common Reasons SARS Blocks or Rejects a TCS PIN
Unappointed Public Officer on RAV01
Newly registered CIPC companies are blocked from generating a TCS PIN until a Public Officer is formally approved on the SARS RAV01 registration profile.
Small Unallocated Cent Balances or Interest
Even R50 of unallocated interest on an old EMP201 or VAT201 period turns the Debt pillar red until paid with the exact 19-digit PRN or suspended via a formal payment arrangement.
AIT Source-of-Funds Mismatch
Approval International Transfer (AIT) requests are rejected when the Statement of Assets & Liabilities at cost does not reconcile to historic ITR12 capital gains, loan accounts, or inheritance distributions.
Expired or Revoked Third-Party PINs
Because SARS TCS PINs reflect live status, a supplier who was compliant last month will immediately show "Non-Compliant" during verification if they miss a single VAT201 or EMP201 deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a SARS TCS PIN used for?
A Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN replaced the old paper Tax Clearance Certificate. It enables third parties—such as government tender boards (CSD), corporate procurement teams, banks, and authorised forex dealers—to verify your real-time SARS compliance status online.
How can I verify a vendor or contractor’s SARS TCS PIN online?
Anyone can verify a third-party TCS PIN free of charge at tools.sars.gov.za/sarsonlinequery/tcsverify or under "Tax Compliance Status > Verify Status" on eFiling by entering the taxpayer’s 10-digit Tax Reference Number and their unique TCS PIN.
What are the realistic SARS turnaround times for a TCS PIN?
Good Standing and Tender TCS PINs are issued instantly (within 5–15 minutes) if all four compliance pillars are green. Approval International Transfer (AIT) PINs for offshore transfers take 5 to 21 business days due to manual SARS audit verification of source of funds.
How long does a SARS TCS PIN remain valid?
Good Standing and Tender PINs are valid for 12 months from issue, but their status updates dynamically in real time—if a return becomes overdue tomorrow, third parties verifying the PIN will immediately see "Non-Compliant". AIT PINs are valid for 12 months for the specific approved offshore amount.
What should I do if my My Compliance Profile (MCP) shows Non-Compliant?
If SARS flags unfiled returns (ITR14/ITR12/VAT201/EMP501) or overdue debt, My Accountant can audit your profile, submit outstanding returns, lodge a Section 167 deferred payment arrangement or Section 164 suspension of payment, and restore your TCS status to Compliant within 24–72 hours.
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