Your tax compliance status and the SARS PIN
What SARS's tax compliance status is, why tenders ask for a TCS PIN, how to request one on eFiling, how it is checked, and how it connects to the Central Supplier Database.
Checked against the official sources listed below on 11 October 2026.
What it is
SARS introduced the Tax Compliance Status (TCS) system in 2015, and it replaced the old tax clearance certificate. Instead of a paper certificate, you request a PIN that lets someone you choose — such as an organ of state evaluating your bid — check your tax compliance status with SARS.
Why tenders ask for it
National Treasury instructs departments and public entities that no price quotation or competitive bid may be awarded to a business or person that is not tax compliant. The standard invitation to bid (SBD 1) asks bidders for their SARS-issued PIN, or for their Central Supplier Database supplier number where they have no PIN.
How to request a PIN
You request a PIN on SARS eFiling, for which you must be registered with at least one tax type activated on your profile:
- choose the Tax Compliance Status Request option and the type of TCS you need — SARS says the old Tender option no longer exists, and taxpayers use the Good Standing application instead;
- choose after how many months the PIN must expire;
- complete the request and submit it to SARS; and
- SARS issues a unique PIN for each request you make.
How the PIN is checked
Whoever checks your status enters your tax reference number and PIN on eFiling or the SARS Online Query System. The result is your compliance status at the moment the PIN is used, not on the day it was issued — green means your tax affairs are in order. SARS also stresses that being issued a PIN is not, by itself, an indication that you are tax compliant.
So check your own status before a tender closes and deal with outstanding returns or debt early: whoever checks sees your status on the day they check, which may be after the closing date.
The link with the CSD
Tax compliance status is one of the items verified on the Central Supplier Database, and National Treasury names the CSD and the TCS PIN as the approved ways for an organ of state to verify a bidder's tax compliance.
Where Govermate fits
Govermate lists open tenders and requests for quotation with their recorded closing dates. Check your tax compliance status as soon as you decide to respond to one.
Official sources
- Manage your tax compliance status(opens the official page in a new tab)South African Revenue Service
- How to request your tax compliance status(opens the official page in a new tab)South African Revenue Service
- How to verify tax compliance status(opens the official page in a new tab)South African Revenue Service
- Guide to the tax compliance status functionality on eFiling(opens the official page in a new tab)South African Revenue Service
- Government Connect, issue 12 (August 2023)(opens the official page in a new tab)South African Revenue Service
- National Treasury Instruction No. 9 of 2017/2018: tax compliance status verification(opens the official page in a new tab)National Treasury