SARS eFiling allows taxpayers to submit tax returns, view assessments and statements, upload supporting documents, make payments and manage several tax services online.
The service is free, but you need an eFiling account and the correct security details to use it. Individual profiles are also protected by mandatory two-factor authentication.
Official SARS eFiling login link
SARS maintenance alert — August 28: eFiling, Tax and Customs digital services may experience intermittent interruptions from 18:00 to 23:00 while SARS performs scheduled platform upgrades. If login or submission fails during this period, try again after the maintenance window.”
The official login address is:
https://secure.sarsefiling.co.za/
You can also visit the official SARS website and select Login in the eFiling section.
Safety warning: Type the SARS address into your browser or use the links above. Avoid sponsored search advertisements, social-media links and messages promising refunds. Check that the address belongs to sars.gov.za or sarsefiling.co.za before entering your username, password or OTP.
What you need to sign in
Have the following ready:
GOVERNMENT SERVICES
SARS eFiling Login 2026: Official Link and How to Sign In
Aug 21, 2026
Aug 28, 2026
17 min read
Published
Updated:
SARS eFiling allows taxpayers to submit tax returns, view assessments and statements, upload supporting documents, make payments and manage several tax services online.
The service is free, but you need an eFiling account and the correct security details to use it. Individual profiles are also protected by mandatory two-factor authentication.
Official SARS eFiling login link
SARS maintenance alert — August 28: eFiling, Tax and Customs digital services may experience intermittent interruptions from 18:00 to 23:00 while SARS performs scheduled platform upgrades. If login or submission fails during this period, try again after the maintenance window.”
The official login address is:
https://secure.sarsefiling.co.za/
You can also visit the official SARS website and select Login in the eFiling section.
Safety warning: Type the SARS address into your browser or use the links above. Avoid sponsored search advertisements, social-media links and messages promising refunds. Check that the address belongs to sars.gov.za or sarsefiling.co.za before entering your username, password or OTP.
What you need to sign in
Have the following ready:
Your eFiling username
Your eFiling password
Access to the cellphone number or email address registered as your security contact
Your SARS MobiApp device if you use app-based authentication or passwordless login
Your tax reference number is not automatically the same as your eFiling username. Use the username created when the profile was registered.
How to sign in to SARS eFiling online
Open the official SARS eFiling portal.
Enter your eFiling username.
Select Next.
Enter your password.
Select Login.
Complete the second authentication step. Depending on your profile, enter the six-digit OTP sent by SARS or approve the request in the SARS MobiApp.
After successful authentication, the eFiling dashboard will open.
The dashboard can display your compliance position, account balances, outstanding returns, statements and SARS notifications. If you manage more than one role, choose the correct individual, organisation or tax-practitioner portfolio before starting a transaction.
How two-factor authentication works
SARS states that two-factor authentication is mandatory on individual eFiling profiles. It adds a security check after the username and password.
You can normally use one of these methods:
Authentication method | What happens |
One-time PIN | SARS sends a six-digit OTP to the security cellphone number or email address on the profile |
MobiApp approval | A push notification is sent to the primary enrolled device for approval |
An OTP is time-sensitive. Enter it before the period shown on the screen expires. SARS says an OTP can be resent only twice, so first check whether the code was sent by SMS or email and look in the email spam folder.
Never give an OTP to a caller, tax agent or person claiming that they need it to release a refund.
How to sign in using the SARS MobiApp
The SARS MobiApp is available through the Apple App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery. SARS says the app can be used to register for eFiling, reset login details, file an ITR12, upload supporting documents, view assessments and statements, make payments and perform other personal-income-tax tasks.
To access an existing account:
Open the SARS MobiApp installed from your device's official app store.
Select the login option.
Enter your eFiling username and password, unless passwordless login is active.
Complete the requested security authentication.
Open the required service from the app dashboard.
Some eFiling services may still be easier to complete through the full website.
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How to reset a forgotten eFiling password
Reset the password online
Open the official eFiling page.
Select Forgot Password?
Enter your username and the identity information requested.
Choose the available security channel.
Enter the OTP sent by SARS.
Create and confirm a new password.
SARS requires an eFiling password to:
Contain at least eight characters
Include an uppercase letter
Include a lowercase letter
Include a number
Include a special character
Exclude personal information such as your name, surname, email address or username
Avoid repetitive or sequential characters such as aaaaa or 12345
Reset the password through the MobiApp
Open the app and select Forgot Password. Enter the username, select the preferred OTP channel, enter the code and create a new password.
What if you forgot your username and password?
Recover the username first:
Select Forgot Username? on the eFiling login page.
Complete the requested personal information.
Follow the authentication prompts.
Once the username is recovered, reset the password.
SARS says the Contact Centre can also assist taxpayers with recovering eFiling login details after identity verification.
What to do if the SARS OTP is not arriving
First check the following:
The masked cellphone number or email address shown belongs to you.
Your phone has network coverage and can receive SMS messages.
The email has not been placed in the spam or junk folder.
You are using the newest OTP rather than an earlier code.
You have not exceeded the permitted resend attempts.
If the contact details are outdated, registered South African eFilers can use Update
Contact Details on the login page without signing in. The process uses facial biometric authentication.
How to update security contacts before login
Open the official eFiling login page.
Select Update Contact Details.
Enter your first name, surname and South African ID number.
Read the biometric notice and continue.
Follow the facial-verification instructions using a camera-enabled device.
Enter the new cellphone number and email address.
Choose the preferred contact method and submit.
Enter the OTP delivered to the new contact channel.
This pre-login option is available only to registered eFilers who are South African citizens and pass biometric verification. Non-South African taxpayers, or users who fail the biometric check, should call SARS or book an appointment.
What if the MobiApp approval does not appear?
If app-based two-factor authentication is active but no push notification arrives:
Check that the phone has internet access and notifications are enabled.
Return to the eFiling authentication screen and select Use OTP, if available.
After logging in, remove the old device from the profile.
Reinstall or update the SARS MobiApp if necessary.
Enrol the device again.
SARS warns that uninstalling the MobiApp or clearing its data can break the enrolled-device connection. One device can be enrolled on only one eFiling profile at a time.
How passwordless login works
Passwordless login allows an enrolled primary mobile device to approve a website login without the user typing a password.
To use it, the SARS MobiApp must be installed and the device must be enrolled through
My Profile → Profile and Preference Setup. SARS states that passwordless login and standard two-factor authentication cannot both be switched on simultaneously.
Do not approve an unexpected login request. If you receive one when you are not signing in, reject it and review the profile's security.
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First-time eFiling login
For a newly registered user, SARS's official guide gives the following sequence:
Enter the username and select Next.
Enter the password and select Login.
Enter the OTP and submit it.
Read and accept the eFiling terms and conditions.
Review the return types SARS displays.
Link the return types you need and submit the selections.
The eFiling dashboard should then open. A tax type must be linked to the profile before you can use its full services.
If SARS could not complete your registration immediately, the profile may instead show a registration work page requesting supporting documents. Upload every requested document and select Submit. SARS's guide says users are given 21 business days to provide registration documents when this process applies.
What if your tax type belongs to a tax practitioner?
When a tax number is already controlled through another eFiling profile, such as a tax practitioner's portfolio, SARS may offer options including:
View-only shared access
Full shared access
Removal of the tax practitioner's access
Removal of your access
Deactivation of the tax type
Read each option carefully. Removing access can affect who is able to submit returns or respond to SARS. A practitioner should have proper authority to act for you.
Common eFiling login problems and fixes
“Incorrect username or password”
Check typing, capital letters and saved browser credentials. If uncertain, use the official recovery options rather than repeatedly guessing.
The login page keeps reloading or displays incorrectly
SARS says modern versions of Chrome, Edge and Safari support its HTML5 forms. Try updating the browser, closing duplicate eFiling tabs and clearing the browser cache and cookies. Then reopen the official login page manually.
You selected a primary login in the past
Users who once had several eFiling logins may now have one primary login. SARS says linked portfolios remain accessible through that primary account. If another old username produces an error, recover or use the selected primary login.
The account is linked to an old phone or email
Use the pre-login Update Contact Details option if eligible. Otherwise, contact SARS and complete the required identity verification.
Your tax profile is missing after login
Check the selected portfolio and linked tax types. The account may be linked to another portfolio or tax practitioner. Do not create repeated profiles without understanding where the tax number is registered.
What to do if you suspect your eFiling account was hacked
Treat unexpected changes to contact details, bank information, returns or refund instructions as urgent.
Do not continue through any link received by email or SMS.
Use the official SARS portal directly and change the password if you still have access.
Follow the official SARS compromised-profile reporting guidance to report the matter online or book a SARS branch appointment.
Review registered details, bank information, correspondence, returns and account statements.
Keep case numbers and copies of suspicious messages.
SARS may require identification, proof of address and bank evidence when investigating a compromised profile.
SARS eFiling scam warning
SARS says it will never request your password, OTP, banking PIN or eFiling login credentials through email, SMS, social media or telephone. It also says it does not send taxpayers links to banking websites.
A message claiming that you must enter banking details or pay a fee to receive a refund should be treated as suspicious. Open the SARS website yourself to check correspondence.
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SARS eFiling contact details
SARS Contact Centre: 0800 00 7277 International callers: +27 11 602 2093
SARS lists these Contact Centre hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Closed on weekends and South African public holidays
Have your identity and tax information ready for authentication, but never tell an agent your password, banking PIN or OTP.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official SARS eFiling login link?
The official address is https://secure.sarsefiling.co.za/. You can also reach it by selecting Login on sars.gov.za.
Is SARS eFiling free?
Yes. SARS describes eFiling as a free electronic service.
Can I log in with my tax number?
Not unless your tax number happens to be the username you created. Normally, the portal requires the registered eFiling username rather than the income-tax reference number.
Why does SARS ask for an OTP every time I sign in?
Two-factor authentication is mandatory on individual profiles. The second factor may be an OTP or approval through an enrolled SARS MobiApp device.
Can I receive a SARS OTP by email?
SARS says an OTP can be sent to the cellphone number or email address saved as the preferred security contact, depending on the available selection.
How many times can I resend the OTP?
SARS's profile guide says an OTP can be resent twice.
Can I change my phone number without logging in?
Registered South African eFilers can use the pre-login contact-update function if they pass facial biometric verification. Other users should contact SARS or book an appointment.
Can a tax practitioner ask for my eFiling password or OTP?
You should not share login credentials or OTPs. A properly authorised practitioner should use the appropriate eFiling portfolio and access process.
Official sources
Information checked against official SARS guidance on 21 August 2026. This article provides general guidance and does not replace personalised tax advice.
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