Overview
SARS eFiling (via ISV API) is SA's tax submission platform – VAT201, EMP201, EMP501, IT3, ITR12, TCS PIN, certificates. The Automize SARS eFiling connector covers tax return submission + status + certificate retrieval. ISV (Independent Software Vendor) credentials required.
- Regions: South Africa only.
- Plans: SARS ISV programme – apply to SARS Modernisation team.
Setting up the connection
Auth type: OAuth 2.0 (Client Credentials).
- Apply for SARS ISV access via the SARS Modernisation team.
- Receive ISV credentials (Client ID + Secret).
- In Automize → Settings → Connectors → SARS eFiling. Paste credentials.
Find your credentials at https://www.sars.gov.za/.
Rate limits
Per-ISV agreement. Bulk submission via batch endpoints.
Data model
Tax returns:
Taxpayer ─┬─ Returns (VAT201, EMP201, EMP501, IT3, ITR12)
├─ TCS PIN (Tax Compliance Status – verify counterparty)
└─ Certificates (IRP5/IT3a downloads)Available operations
9 operations available. Click any row to jump to its detail.
| Operation | Category | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| List Submissions | Returns | List submissions for a taxpayer (filter by status, date range) |
| Query Submission Status | Returns | Check status of a previously submitted return by submission ID |
| Submit Return | Returns | Submit a tax return (return_type: VAT201, EMP201, EMP501, IT3, ITR12, ITR14) |
| Request Tax Compliance Status PIN | Tax Compliance Status | Request a TCS PIN for a taxpayer (Good Standing / Tender / FIA / Emigration) |
| Verify Tax Compliance Status | Tax Compliance Status | Verify a supplier/vendor Tax Compliance Status PIN |
| Get Taxpayer Profile | Taxpayers | Get registered taxpayer profile by reference |
| Lookup Income Tax Reference | Taxpayers | Look up an income tax reference number by ID number (SA ID / passport) |
| Download Tax Certificate | Third-Party Data | Retrieve an issued IRP5/IT3 certificate by reference |
| Upload Third-Party Data | Third-Party Data | Upload a third-party data bundle (IT3(d), IT3(t), IT3(b), IRP5) |
Operations
Download Tax Certificate
Retrieve an issued IRP5/IT3 certificate by reference
| Parameter | Required | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Certificate Type certificate_type | Yes | text | |
Certificate Number certificate_number | Yes | text |
Get Taxpayer Profile
Get registered taxpayer profile by reference
| Parameter | Required | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Taxpayer Ref taxpayer_ref | Yes | text |
List Submissions
List submissions for a taxpayer (filter by status, date range)
No input parameters.
Lookup Income Tax Reference
Look up an income tax reference number by ID number (SA ID / passport)
No input parameters.
Query Submission Status
Check status of a previously submitted return by submission ID
| Parameter | Required | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Submission Id submission_id | Yes | text |
Request Tax Compliance Status PIN
Request a TCS PIN for a taxpayer (Good Standing / Tender / FIA / Emigration)
| Parameter | Required | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Taxpayer Ref taxpayer_ref | No | text | |
Tcs Type tcs_type | No | text |
Submit Return
Submit a tax return (return_type: VAT201, EMP201, EMP501, IT3, ITR12, ITR14)
| Parameter | Required | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Return Type return_type | Yes | text | |
Taxpayer Ref taxpayer_ref | No | text | |
Period period | No | text | |
Payload payload | No | text |
Upload Third-Party Data
Upload a third-party data bundle (IT3(d), IT3(t), IT3(b), IRP5)
| Parameter | Required | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Data Type data_type | Yes | text | |
Period End period_end | No | text | |
File file | No | text |
Verify Tax Compliance Status
Verify a supplier/vendor Tax Compliance Status PIN
| Parameter | Required | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
Taxpayer Ref taxpayer_ref | No | text | |
Pin pin | No | text |
FAQ
- ISV access – strict?
- Yes. SARS audits ISVs. Submissions are legally binding on the taxpayer; SARS expects audited code.
- Sandbox?
- SARS provides test environments via the ISV programme.