Why You Need a Tax Number
Every company registered in South Africa must register with SARS for Income Tax. Without a tax number, your company cannot legally trade, cannot open certain bank accounts, and may face penalties from SARS.
A SARS Income Tax Number is also required before you can register for VAT, PAYE, or UIF — and before applying for a Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC/PIN), which is required for most government tenders.
What We Handle
- Company Income Tax registration on SARS eFiling
- SARS registration confirmation letter
- eFiling profile setup guidance
- PAYE registration (if you have employees)
- Referral for Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC/PIN)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tax number the same as a VAT number? +
No — a tax number (Income Tax reference number) and a VAT number are different. You must have an Income Tax number before you can apply for VAT registration. COMPREGSA handles both.
How long does SARS tax registration take? +
SARS Income Tax registration typically takes 1–3 business days after your company registration is confirmed with CIPC.
Do I need a tax number if I have no income yet? +
Yes — all registered companies must register with SARS regardless of whether they are trading. Annual returns must still be submitted even if the company has zero income.