Company Tax Registration with SARS: The 2026 Guide

Company tax registration is one of the first things every new business must get right in South Africa. Before you can invoice clients, claim from SARS or bid on tenders, your company needs to be correctly registered for tax. This 2026 guide explains what company tax registration involves, the different tax types, and how to get it done quickly.

What is company tax registration?

Company tax registration means registering your business with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) for the taxes that apply to it. The good news: when you register a company with the CIPC, it is automatically registered for income tax and issued an income tax number. The rest — activating eFiling, VAT, PAYE and a public officer — is what completes your company tax registration.

Your automatic income tax number

Every company registered through the CIPC receives an income tax reference number automatically. You then activate and manage it on SARS eFiling. If you have just registered, start with our company registration service and we will make sure your tax number is active and usable.

Appoint a public officer (tax representative)

SARS requires every company to appoint a public officer — the person responsible for the company’s tax affairs. This must be done shortly after registration, and SARS will not fully process your company tax registration until a valid representative is in place. We handle this appointment for you.

VAT registration

VAT registration becomes compulsory once your company’s taxable turnover exceeds R1 million in any consecutive 12-month period. You may register voluntarily once turnover has exceeded R50,000 in the past 12 months. VAT registration lets you charge and claim VAT.

PAYE, UIF and SDL

If your company employs staff, you must register for PAYE (employees’ tax), UIF and, where applicable, SDL. These are deducted and paid over to SARS monthly.

Tax Clearance and your Tax Compliance PIN

To bid on government tenders or register on the CSD, your company needs a Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN — often called a tax clearance. It confirms your company is tax compliant. If tenders are your goal, pair your tax registration with CSD registration and a B-BBEE affidavit, or get everything in our full tender package.

Let us handle your company tax registration

Company tax registration is far simpler when a specialist handles SARS for you. Our SARS tax registration service sorts your income tax activation, public officer, VAT and PAYE where needed, and your Tax Compliance PIN — so your company is fully tax compliant and ready to trade.

Independent business support service — not affiliated with, or endorsed by, SARS or the CIPC. This article is general information, not tax advice.