STOP giving away your SARS eFiling credentials

Managing your tax affairs can sometimes feel overwhelming, which is why many individuals and businesses choose to work with a tax practitioner. However, how you grant access to your tax practitioner is crucial. Instead of giving them full control over your SARS eFiling profile, a safer and more efficient option is to share your profile with them. This article explains what sharing your eFiling profile means, why it is necessary, and why it is a better approach than simply handing over your account. 

What Does It Mean to Share Your SARS eFiling Profile? 

Sharing your SARS eFiling profile means that you provide your tax practitioner with access to your tax information while still maintaining full ownership and control over your account. This allows them to assist with tax returns, submissions, and other compliance-related tasks without taking over your entire profile. 

SARS offers a Shared Access feature that enables both you and your tax practitioner to manage your tax affairs collaboratively. This is different from transferring your profile to the practitioner’s account, which would give them full authority over your eFiling account. 

Why Is It Necessary to Share Your eFiling Profile? 

Many taxpayers require professional assistance to ensure their tax affairs are handled correctly and in compliance with SARS regulations. However, fully handing over your profile can be risky, as it limits your ability to monitor activity, make necessary changes, or take direct action when required. 

By sharing access, you: 

• Maintain Control: You can still access your profile, monitor filings, and make adjustments if necessary. 
• Ensure Transparency: Both you and your tax practitioner receive SARS notifications and updates. 
• Enhance Security: You don’t have to share your login credentials, reducing the risk of fraud or unauthorised changes. 

Why Sharing Is Better Than Transferring Your Profile 

Many taxpayers unknowingly allow their tax practitioners to take over their SARS eFiling profiles, which means: 

• They lose direct access to their tax information. 
• They are dependent on the practitioner for all submissions and updates. 
• They might not receive SARS notifications directly. 

By sharing access instead of transferring the profile, you can track exactly who submitted what, as each submission is allocated to a specific user. This improves accountability and transparency, ensuring that you remain informed about all activities on your tax profile.

How to Share Your SARS eFiling Profile with Your Tax Practitioner 

Follow these steps to invite your tax practitioner while retaining control of your profile: 

Step 1: Log in to SARS eFiling 

1. Go to the SARS eFiling website. 
2. Log in using your taxpayer credentials. 

Step 2: Invite Your Tax Practitioner 

1. Click on “User” at the top of the page. 
2. On the left-hand menu, click “User”, 
3. Then select “Invite User”. 
4. Select South African ID as the identification type. 
5. Enter your tax practitioner’s ID number and surname, then click “Invite”.  
6. You need to wait till the system uploads the next page (this may take 30 seconds)

Step 3: Set permissions

1. Ensure the System Default user group is selected. 
2. Leave any permissions that have already been ticked.
3. Tick the following permissions: 
   • SARS Registrations 
   • Manage Users 
   • Manage Taxpayers 
   • Manage Groups 
   • Directives 
   • Perform Bulk and Additional Payments 
4. Click “Continue”. 
5. This will take you to a summary page where you will click “continue” again. 
6. The invitation is now sent and will appear as a request on your tax practitioner’s profile, which they need to accept. 

Final Thoughts 

Sharing your SARS eFiling profile with your tax practitioner is the best way to collaborate while keeping control of your tax affairs. It provides transparency, security, and flexibility, ensuring that you remain in charge of your tax responsibilities. By following the steps outlined above, you can grant your practitioner access without compromising your own ability to manage your tax profile.