SARS eFiling OTP Not Received: What to Check

A missing OTP is almost always a contact-detail problem, not a SARS system error. The OTP goes to the cellphone number or email address registered on your SARS eFiling profile - if that contact detail is outdated, the OTP never reaches you (SARS: eFiling, 2024). Acting before a filing deadline matters: SARS does not automatically extend deadlines for access problems.

Key Takeaways

Check your registered phone number and email on your eFiling profile before assuming a system problem.

Always check spam, junk, and promotions folders if the OTP is sent by email.

Request only one OTP at a time - multiple requests don’t help if the contact detail is wrong.

If your registered SIM is lost, you cannot reset the number online - a branch visit with your original ID is required.

Check the OTP channel first

SARS sends the OTP to the cellphone number or email registered on your eFiling profile. Before requesting another OTP, verify:

Is the cellphone number still your current number? Check whether a SIM swap or network change affected it.
Is the email address one you still access regularly?
Check spam, junk, and promotions folders if using email - automated messages from SARS often trigger spam filters.
Check whether your phone has signal, data, or international roaming restrictions that could block an SMS.
Check whether your email inbox is full - a full inbox silently rejects incoming messages.

Quick diagnosis

Symptom	Most likely cause	First fix
No SMS at all	Wrong or outdated number on file, or a SIM swap	Confirm the number on your profile; if it is old, update it or visit a branch
SMS late or missing in one area only	Network coverage or roaming	Move to better signal, or switch the OTP to email
Email OTP never appears	Filtered to spam, or inbox full	Check spam/junk/promotions and clear inbox space
”Code expired” every time	Session timing out before you enter it	Request one fresh OTP and enter it immediately
OTP entered but “invalid”	An older requested code is being used	Use only the most recently requested code

Do not keep requesting OTPs without checking

Repeatedly requesting a new OTP does not resolve a contact-detail problem. Multiple requests can create confusion about which code is still valid, and each request starts a new session timer. When you do request a new OTP, use only the most recent code and complete the verification before the session expires - typically within a few minutes.

Updating security contact details

If the OTP is going to an old number or email, the fix is to update the SARS eFiling security contact details. This itself requires OTP verification via the current registered contact - creating a catch-22 if you cannot receive it (SARS: eFiling Profile):

If you can still receive the OTP on the current registered contact: log in, update the details, and verify the change.
If you cannot receive the OTP at all: you cannot update contact details online. A SARS branch visit with your original identity document is required.

Recovering access when the registered number is gone

If the OTP is going to a number you no longer control - a lost SIM, a closed account, or a number ported away - online recovery is not possible, because every online change is itself protected by an OTP to the old contact. To restore access you must verify your identity in person:

Book a SARS branch appointment through eBooking, or call the Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277 to confirm what your case needs.
Bring your original identity document - a green barcoded ID book, smart ID card, or valid passport. Photocopies are not accepted.
Ask SARS to update the security contact details (cellphone and email) on your profile.
Before you leave, test that you can receive a fresh OTP and log in.

A registered tax practitioner already authorised on your profile can keep filing on your behalf while you sort this out - useful if a deadline is close.

If a filing deadline is at risk

If an OTP problem is blocking you from filing before a deadline, act immediately (SARS: Contact):

Take screenshots showing the error, OTP request confirmation, and the fact that no code arrived.
Contact the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277 or book an appointment at a branch via SARS eBooking.
For high-value or penalty-risk matters, engage a registered tax practitioner who is already authorised on your profile - they can file on your behalf while you resolve the access issue.

Do not wait until the deadline has passed and then attempt to claim technical difficulties after the fact.

Common causes

Outdated cellphone number or email address on the SARS eFiling profile.
SMS delayed by network coverage, roaming restrictions, or a mobile network outage.
Email delivered to spam, junk, or promotions folder.
Too many OTP requests sent too quickly, invalidating earlier codes.
Browser session expired before the OTP was entered.
SIM swap that changed the registered mobile number.
Email inbox full - incoming messages are silently rejected.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a SARS eFiling OTP remain valid?

SARS OTPs are time-limited and typically expire within a few minutes. If the session times out before you enter the code, request a new OTP. Only the most recently requested OTP is valid - earlier codes from previous requests will not work even if they were not used.

Can I change my OTP delivery from SMS to email on SARS eFiling?

Yes. At the OTP request screen, you can choose to receive the code via your registered cellphone number or your registered email address. To change which contact details are registered, update your SARS eFiling profile first - that change itself requires an OTP via the current registered contact.

What should I do if my registered number is for a SIM I no longer have?

If you have permanently lost access to the registered cellphone number - from a SIM swap, lost phone, or network change - you cannot update the contact detail online. Visit a SARS branch in person with your original identity document (not a photocopy) to have your profile contact details updated and your access restored.

Can a filing deadline be extended if an OTP problem prevented me from submitting on time?

SARS does not automatically extend deadlines for technical access problems. Document the issue with screenshots and contact SARS as early as possible - before the deadline if at all possible. A registered tax practitioner authorised on your profile may be able to file on your behalf while you resolve the access issue.

Does the SARS MobiApp use the same OTP as eFiling?

The SARS MobiApp and eFiling both verify you against the contact details on your SARS profile. If the registered number or email is wrong, neither channel will deliver a working OTP. Fixing the contact details on your profile resolves the problem across both at once, so there is no point switching apps without first correcting the underlying detail.

Sources

SARS: eFiling - login process, OTP verification, and profile management
SARS: Contact Centre - 0800 00 7277 Contact Centre and eBooking portal for branch appointments

For persistent access issues or approaching deadlines, contact SARS directly or use a registered tax practitioner through authorised channels.