SARS’s New Biometric Verification – What Businesses Should Know When Registering for VAT or PAYE

A person’s face being scanned with digital facial recognition lines and data overlays, representing SARS’s new biometric verification process for tax registration.

If you’re registering a new company or setting up as an employer, you’ve likely come across SARS’s latest update: biometric facial-recognition verification is now part of several online tax registration processes, including VAT and PAYE.

This change affects anyone creating or updating a tax profile through eFiling. Whether you’re a company director, small-business owner, or payroll administrator, it’s worth understanding what this means and how to prepare so your registrations run smoothly.

Why SARS introduced biometric verification

SARS’s biometric verification is part of a broader move toward a more secure and streamlined digital tax system. The aim is to protect taxpayers from fraud, prevent unauthorised registrations, and simplify future interactions on eFiling.

Instead of relying solely on documents or email verification, SARS now confirms identity using real-time facial recognition. When applying for VAT or PAYE, you may be prompted to complete a quick scan using a camera-enabled device such as a smartphone, laptop or tablet. This image is compared against Home Affairs records to ensure the person submitting the registration is genuinely linked to the ID in question.

The process takes only a few moments if your details are correct, and it helps to ensure that your company’s tax profile remains protected against impersonation or unauthorised access.

How it affects VAT and PAYE registration

For VAT, businesses that reach or expect to exceed the R1 million turnover threshold within any 12-month period — or that choose to register voluntarily — must do so via eFiling. The biometric step is now built into that process as part of SARS’s verification before issuing a VAT number.

For PAYE, when a company registers as an employer for the first time, SARS may also require biometric verification to confirm that the person linking the employer profile to eFiling is authorised to represent the business.

What to check before applying

Although the process is simple, a few practical checks can prevent unnecessary delays:

  • Ensure the person completing the registration has access to a working camera and a stable internet connection.
  • Double-check that identity details (name and ID number) exactly match the Department of Home Affairs records.
  • Confirm that company information — including registration number, bank details, and business address — is accurate and consistent across all documents.
  • Keep supporting documentation (proof of address, bank letters, invoices, or lease agreements) ready in case SARS requests it for verification.
  • If you cannot complete the biometric process online, SARS allows in-branch or virtual appointments to finalise the verification.

 

    Why this matters for new businesses

    For new or growing companies, registering for VAT and PAYE is often the first real step into full tax compliance. The biometric system doesn’t change what SARS requires — but it does change how the verification happens.

    Allowing a little extra time for this new step ensures you won’t face avoidable delays, especially if you’ve already reached the VAT threshold or need to issue payslips and deduct PAYE for staff.

     

        Final thoughts

        SARS’s biometric verification is a welcome move toward a safer and more modern tax environment. It helps protect taxpayers’ profiles, reduces fraudulent registrations, and gives legitimate businesses a more secure platform to manage their tax affairs.

        If you’re preparing to register for VAT or PAYE — or you simply want to make sure your company information is ready for the new process — our team at 

        On Q Accounting and Tax Services can assist in reviewing your details, preparing documentation, and ensuring your registration runs as efficiently as possible.

         

          Disclaimer: This article is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute professional tax advice. For tailored guidance, please speak to a registered tax practitioner.

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