The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has introduced a significant change to its eFiling registration process for individuals. Starting now, new registrations for Personal Income Tax via eFiling may require biometric facial recognition, a move designed to enhance security and combat fraud.
This new measure applies to registrations on the SARS eFiling website, the SARS MobiApp, and the SARS Self-Service Kiosks. Below is a breakdown of the new requirements and what taxpayers need to know.
What’s changing?
For South African individuals registering for eFiling with a valid SA ID, SARS now mandates facial recognition for authentication. This process involves:
Step-by-step instructions
Users will receive detailed guidance on setting the appropriate background, removing headgear or glasses, positioning their face correctly, and ensuring the right distance from the camera.
Device requirements
A device with a camera is essential, such as:
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- A desktop with a webcam
- A laptop with a built-in camera
- A smartphone with a functional camera
For those without access to such a device, SARS offers an alternative: booking an appointment at a SARS office, where an official will assist with the registration process.
Who does this apply to?
This change primarily affects South African citizens registering for eFiling. Non-South African citizens will continue using the existing registration and manual verification processes.
Why the change?
SARS is tightening security in response to a rise in eFiling profile hijacking—a form of fraud where criminals gain control of taxpayers’ profiles to redirect refunds to fraudulent accounts.
How fraud happens
Methods used
Fraudsters employ vishing and social engineering to gain access to taxpayer profiles.
Criminal activity
Once hijackers have control, they change banking details, create additional profiles, and reroute tax refunds into fraudulent accounts.
The impact
In 2024, eFiling fraud became a growing concern, prompting the Office of the Tax Ombud (OTO) to investigate systemic issues within SARS. While SARS has denied any involvement of its staff, the agency has committed to collaborating with the OTO and other authorities to address the issue.
How biometric facial recognition helps
The introduction of facial recognition is a proactive step by SARS to strengthen its defences against eFiling fraud. By verifying a taxpayer’s identity using unique biometric data, SARS aims to:
Enhance trust in the system
Prevent unauthorized access to eFiling profiles
Minimize fraudulent activities, such as profile hijacking and refund redirection
If you’re registering for eFiling or need to assist someone who is, here’s what you need to know:
Ensure access to a device with a camera (desktop, laptop, or smartphone).
Follow the on-screen guidance during the registration process to capture clear and accurate facial photos.
If you lack access to a suitable device, book an appointment at your nearest SARS office for in-person assistance.
The MMS Group is here to guide our clients through the process to support your income tax compliance. Whether it’s eFiling registration, compliance, or tax management, our experts are committed to ensuring that your tax matters are handled efficiently and securely.
Contact us to ensure your compliance with the latest SARS requirements.