SARS eFiling Login Help: Common Problems and How to Fix Them

SARS eFiling is the main online platform for filing tax returns, making payments, and managing your tax affairs. Login problems are common and most can be resolved through the SARS eFiling login page or SARS’s online help channels without visiting a branch.

Key Takeaways

Most login problems - forgotten passwords, lockouts, lost usernames - can be fixed online if your registered cellphone number and email are current.

A password reset and an OTP both depend on your contact details being up to date, so fix those first.

Browser problems (cached logins, blocked pop-ups, unsupported browsers, an active VPN) cause more “login failures” than people expect.

A branch visit is only unavoidable when SARS cannot verify your identity online - bring your original ID.

Forgotten password

Go to www.sars.gov.za and click the eFiling login.
Select “Forgot Password” or “Reset Password.”
Enter your username or tax reference number.
Choose your verification method - SARS will send a one-time pin (OTP) to your registered email or mobile number.
Enter the OTP and create a new password.

Make sure your new password meets the complexity requirements (typically a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols).

OTP not received

The OTP goes to the cellphone number or email registered on your profile, so a missing code is almost always an outdated-contact-detail problem rather than a system fault. Check your spam folder, confirm the number and email on file are current, and request only one code at a time. For the full diagnosis - including what to do when the registered SIM is lost - see SARS eFiling OTP not received.

How to update contact details on eFiling

Log in to eFiling.
Go to “My Profile” or “Personal Details.”
Update your mobile number and email address.
SARS may send an OTP to the existing contact to verify the change.

If you cannot access the account to update contact details, visit a SARS branch with your identity document. SARS can verify your identity in person and reset access.

Locked account

An eFiling account may lock after multiple failed login attempts. Wait the specified period (often 30 minutes) and try again with the correct credentials. If the account remains locked, use the “Unlock Account” or “Reset” option, or contact the SARS Contact Centre.

Username not recognised

Check that you are entering the exact username registered, including capitalisation.
If you have multiple eFiling profiles or taxpayer reference numbers, confirm which username relates to which profile.
If you created an account a long time ago, try your tax reference number or the email address used at registration.

Browser and device problems

A surprising share of “login failures” are really browser problems, not credential problems. Before assuming your account is broken, try these:

Use a supported, up-to-date browser. Recent versions of Chrome, Edge, or Firefox work best - very old browsers can break the login form.
Clear cached logins. A saved or autofilled old password is a common cause of repeated failures. Clear the cache and cookies for sars.gov.za, or use a private/incognito window to test.
Allow pop-ups for the SARS site. Parts of eFiling open in new windows; a pop-up blocker can make a click appear to do nothing.
Disable interfering extensions. Ad blockers, script blockers, and some privacy extensions can stop eFiling pages loading correctly.
Turn off any VPN. Routing through another country can trigger SARS security checks or block access entirely.
Check your device’s date and time. A clock that is badly wrong can break the secure connection.
Try another device. If login works on your phone but not your laptop, the problem is local to that browser, not your SARS account.

Which SARS channel to use

You do not always need the full eFiling website. Matching the channel to the task saves time:

Task	Best channel
Filing a return, viewing assessments, making payments	eFiling website
Quick checks, accepting an auto-assessment on the go	SARS MobiApp
Account queries without logging in (balance, refund status)	SARS Online Query System
Identity verification, lost contact details, biometrics	SARS branch (book via eBooking)
General help and case references	Contact Centre, 0800 00 7277

Common mistakes

Trying to log in with a different browser that has cached old credentials.
Entering the tax reference number where the username is required.
Not updating contact details after changing a phone number.
Using a VPN that blocks SARS access.

When to visit a SARS branch

Visit a branch if:

You cannot reset your password due to outdated contact details.
Your identity verification fails online.
Your account has been compromised or you see unfamiliar activity.
You need a new eFiling registration and cannot complete it online.

Book an appointment at a SARS branch in advance where possible using the SARS branch appointment system. If the issue is not identity-related, try the SARS Contact Centre first; branch appointments should be kept for cases where SARS needs to verify documents or biometrics.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I not receiving the SARS eFiling OTP on my phone?

Check that SARS has your current mobile number on file - if you have changed your number and not updated your eFiling profile, the OTP will go to the old number. Also check whether network delays are causing a slow delivery, and look for the OTP in your SMS inbox after a few minutes. If the number is completely outdated, a branch visit with your identity document may be necessary to update it.

How do I unlock a locked SARS eFiling account?

An eFiling account locks after multiple failed login attempts. Wait the lockout period (often around 30 minutes) and try again with the correct credentials. If the account remains locked, use the “Unlock Account” option on the eFiling login page or contact the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277. Do not continue trying incorrect passwords as this prolongs the lockout.

Can I reset my SARS eFiling password without visiting a branch?

Yes, in most cases. Use the “Forgot Password” link on the eFiling login page, enter your username, and SARS will send an OTP to your registered email or mobile number. If you still have access to those registered contact details, you can reset the password entirely online. If your registered contact details are outdated and you cannot receive the OTP, a branch visit is required.

What should I do if I see unfamiliar activity on my SARS eFiling account?

Contact the SARS Contact Centre immediately and report the suspected compromise. Change your password as soon as you can access the account. Check whether any unauthorised returns have been filed or banking details changed. SARS can place a hold on the account while investigating. Keep records of any unusual correspondence you have received from SARS.

Why does SARS eFiling log me out so quickly?

eFiling ends a session after a period of inactivity for security. If you are logged out mid-task, log back in and resume - and avoid leaving the page idle while you gather documents. Frequent unexpected logouts can also be caused by a browser blocking cookies for sars.gov.za.

Yes. The MobiApp and the eFiling website share the same profile and credentials. If you reset your password on one, the new password works on both. And if a login problem is caused by outdated contact details, it affects both channels until you correct the details on your profile.

Sources

SARS eFiling - official login, username, password, and profile access portal.
SARS: Contact Us - SARS Contact Centre and appointment routes.
SARS: Book an Appointment - official appointment process for branch and virtual appointments.
SARS: Keep Your Details Updated - guidance on keeping contact and banking details current.

This guide is for general educational purposes. SARS may update its systems at any time. Always check the current SARS help resources at www.sars.gov.za.