SARS Tax Clearance (TCS PIN) 2026: How to Get Yours
A Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN replaces the old Tax Clearance Certificate. Here is exactly how to request one, why it fails, and what buyers actually check.
From Tax Clearance Certificate to TCS PIN
SARS phased out the paper Tax Clearance Certificate in 2016 and replaced it with the Tax Compliance Status (TCS) system on eFiling. Instead of a signed certificate, you now receive a unique PIN which any third party — a client, funder, tender authority or bank — can enter on the SARS website to see your compliance status in real time. The PIN is valid for 12 months but the status behind it updates whenever your compliance position changes.
What "Tax Compliant" Actually Means
- All required returns (ITR14, IRP6, EMP201, VAT201) are submitted and up to date
- No outstanding tax debt over R100 (excluding SARS-approved payment arrangements)
- All tax types you are registered for reflect the correct registered particulars (registered address, Public Officer, banking details)
- You are not under a criminal tax investigation or a section 172 preservation order
The four request types
When you request a TCS PIN you must choose the correct purpose: Good Standing (day-to-day compliance), Tender, Foreign Investment Allowance (FIA), or Emigration. Requesting the wrong type is one of the most common reasons a PIN is rejected — pick the option that matches what the third party actually asked for.
Step-by-Step: Requesting a TCS PIN
- Log in to SARS eFiling under the taxpayer’s profile (individual, company or trust)
- Go to Tax Status → Activation → activate Tax Compliance Status for the entity
- Under Tax Status → Tax Compliance Status Request, choose the purpose (Good Standing, Tender, FIA, Emigration)
- Confirm all the compliance items in the summary — resolve any red items before continuing
- Submit the request and, if compliant, SARS issues the PIN immediately
- Share the PIN with your third party — they verify it on the SARS Verify TCS page
Why TCS Requests Fail — And What to Do
| Reason | What SARS shows | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding return | Red flag on the return type | Submit the return (even nil), wait 24–48 hours, retry |
| Outstanding debt | Non-compliant | Pay in full or set up a Section 89 payment arrangement |
| Registered details mismatch | Purple flag | Update RAV01 (address, banking, Public Officer) |
| Estimated assessment (ITA34) outstanding | Non-compliant | File the actual return to replace the estimate |
| Under audit / verification | Purple flag | Respond to the SARS letter with all supporting documents |
How Long Is the PIN Valid?
A PIN itself is valid for 12 months, but the compliance status behind it is live. That means if your compliance status changes (for example a new return becomes overdue), a third party checking your PIN today will see "Non-Compliant" even though the PIN itself is still within its 12-month window. In practice you should monitor your TCS at least quarterly and fix any red flags as soon as they appear.
When You Absolutely Need a PIN
- Bidding on any government or SOE tender (Tender purpose)
- Bank onboarding for a new business account or loan (Good Standing)
- Applying for a B-BBEE affidavit for QSE / Generic verification
- Emigrating or transferring more than R1 million offshore (FIA or Emigration purpose)
- Renewing certain sector licences (liquor, financial services, gaming)
How We Help
Consultium Group audits your SARS compliance before the request, resolves any outstanding returns or registration issues, submits the TCS request in the correct category, and monitors your status monthly. Our tax clearance package starts at R450 for standard companies. Get in touch with your company registration number and we will provide a compliance report within one working day.
Need help with this in real life?
Consultium Group handles CIPC, SARS, and B-BBEE compliance end-to-end. Let’s talk.
