Tax Clearance Certificate in South Africa
Officially called a Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN. Required for tender bids, B-BBEE verification, and supplier compliance checks. We file the request with SARS for you.
Cost:R480
Timeframe: 10 working days
For:South African companies needing SARS proof of compliance
When your company needs a tax clearance certificate
Banks, government tender boards, and corporate procurement teams ask for proof that your company is up to date with SARS. The Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN is how SARS provides that proof. The third party uses the PIN to look up your live status on eFiling.
- You’re submitting a government or corporate tender that requires proof of tax compliance
- You’re applying for B-BBEE verification or a similar third-party check
- A bank or supplier is asking for one before doing business with you
- You’re registering as a vendor with government, an SOE, or a corporate procurement system
- You’re renewing an existing TCS PIN that has expired or no longer reflects your current status
Most people still call it a “tax clearance certificate.” SARS has used the TCS PIN instead of the old paper certificate since 2016. This service is for companies only. Individual TCS PINs (for emigration or Foreign Investment Allowance) are a separate process.
What’s included
- Submission of your TCS PIN request to SARS via eFiling
- Pre-submission compliance check (returns submitted, payments up to date, registered representative on file)
- Follow-up with SARS if anything is flagged
- Your TCS PIN delivered to your email once SARS issues it
- Plain explanation of any compliance issues you’d need to fix first
How to get a tax clearance certificate
You complete the form online. We file with SARS and email your TCS PIN.
Step 1
Tell us your company details and what the TCS PIN is for (tender, B-BBEE, supplier check, etc.).
Step 2
Credit card, EFT, or cash deposit at any ATM.
Step 3
We run a compliance check, then submit the TCS request via SARS eFiling.
Step 4
Once SARS issues it, your TCS PIN is emailed to you. You share it with the third party who needs to verify your compliance.
What you’ll need
- Registered company
- Company income tax reference number
- SARS Registered Representative on file
- All SARS returns up to date (we’ll flag what’s outstanding)
Used by companies across South Africa
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Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Tax Clearance Certificate in South Africa
What is a Tax Clearance Certificate / TCS PIN?
It’s how SARS confirms your company is tax compliant. Since 2016 the old paper certificate has been replaced by a Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN. You share the PIN with the third party (tender board, bank, supplier) and they look up your live status on SARS eFiling. Most people still call it a tax clearance certificate.
How long is a TCS PIN valid?
One year from issue, or until your compliance status changes. If you fall behind on a return or payment after the PIN is issued, the third party will see the change in real time when they verify.
What types of TCS PINs apply to companies?
Two types apply to companies: Good Standing (general purpose, what most companies need) and Tender (specifically for tender applications, which can carry extra checks). We confirm which one you need based on what the third party is asking for. The Foreign Investment Allowance and Emigration TCS types are for individuals, not companies.
How long does it take to get a TCS PIN?
Around 10 working days from the point we have all your details. SARS turnaround can vary if there are compliance issues to clear up first. We email you if it runs longer.
How much does a TCS PIN cost?
R480 once-off through Govchain. SARS itself doesn’t charge a fee. The cost covers the eFiling submission, a pre-submission compliance check, and follow-up with SARS.
Why might my TCS PIN be denied?
Three common reasons: outstanding returns (income tax, VAT, PAYE, EMP501), outstanding payments to SARS, or no active Registered Representative on the company’s SARS profile. We flag these before submission so you don’t pay for a request that will fail.
What returns do I need to have submitted?
All returns SARS expects from your company. Typically that means company income tax (ITR14), VAT (VAT201) if you’re registered, PAYE (EMP201 monthly and EMP501 reconciliations) if you have employees, and provisional tax. If anything is missing, the TCS request will be rejected.
Can I get a TCS PIN if I owe SARS money?
Only if you have a payment arrangement in place with SARS, or the amount is formally in dispute. Outstanding balances without an arrangement will block the PIN. Govchain can help set up an arrangement before the request goes in.
Do I need a SARS Registered Representative first?
Yes. SARS will not process a TCS request unless the company has an active Registered Representative on file. If you don’t have one yet, we can appoint one as part of the process. See SARS Registered Representative for the standalone service.
How does the third party verify my TCS PIN?
They go to SARS eFiling, enter your tax reference number and the PIN, and SARS shows them your live compliance status. The check is real time, so the status they see is the status as of that moment.
What is the difference between a tax clearance certificate and a TCS PIN?
They are the same thing. SARS phased out the old paper "Tax Clearance Certificate" in 2016 and replaced it with the Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN. Most people, tender boards, and procurement managers still call it a "tax clearance certificate" out of habit. When someone asks for one, they need a TCS PIN.
Can I get a TCS PIN for a dormant company?
Yes, but dormant companies often have stale compliance. SARS still expects an annual ITR14 even if the company didn’t trade, plus any historical VAT or PAYE returns. We typically check and bring the returns up to date as part of the request — sometimes that’s a separate fee depending on how much history needs to be filed.
Do I need a TCS PIN for CSD registration?
Yes. National Treasury checks your TCS status when verifying your CSD registration. The CSD profile won’t go active without it. If you’re doing both at once, we can sequence them.
What if my TCS PIN expires while a tender is open?
The PIN itself stays valid for 12 months, but compliance is verified in real time when the third party looks it up. If your tax goes out of compliance after the PIN was issued, the tender board sees the latest status, not the status when the PIN was issued. Keep all your filings current for the full tender window.
Can a foreign-owned South African company get a TCS PIN?
Yes. The PIN is issued to the South African company, not to the directors or shareholders. Foreign ownership doesn’t affect eligibility. The company just needs to be registered with CIPC, tax-registered with SARS, and compliant on its returns and payments.
How do I get a TCS PIN myself on SARS eFiling?
If you’d rather do it yourself: log in to SARS eFiling, open "My Compliance Profile", request a Tax Compliance Status, and SARS issues a PIN linked to your company once it’s approved. The catch is it only works if your returns and payments are already up to date — if they aren’t, the request is rejected. Checking and fixing that first is the part Govchain handles for you.
Related terms and definitions
Plain-language definitions of the forms, numbers, and acronyms that come up when registering and running a tax clearance certificate in south africa.
Get a tax clearance certificate
Required for tenders, B-BBEE verification, and supplier compliance checks. We file the TCS PIN request with SARS.
Last reviewed: 12 May 2026. Govchain reviews this page against current CIPC and SARS rules every quarter.