How to check a practitioner is SARS-registered before they file for you

Before you hand over your income documents and tax history to someone promising to file your return, you need one core reassurance: are they actually registered to do this work with SARS? It sounds like a basic check, but many people skip it entirely, assuming anyone calling themselves a tax consultant must be legitimate. That assumption can cost you. An unregistered filer might submit returns that SARS flags, apply deductions incorrectly, or disappear when the tax authority has questions. You cannot undo a badly filed return easily. The good news is that verifying a practitioner's SARS registration is straightforward — you just need to know where to look and what to ask.

Search the SARS practitioner register online

Start here: SARS maintains a public register of tax practitioners, accounting officers, and other agents authorised to file returns on your behalf. You do not need to wait for the practitioner to volunteer this information. Visit the SARS website and use their practitioner search tool. You will need the person's name or their SARS agent reference number (if they have already given you one). The register shows their status, what services they are authorised to provide, and whether their registration is current or has lapsed. If a name does not appear in the register, that is a red flag. Do not proceed. If the person claims their registration is "in progress" or "being renewed," ask for a dated email from SARS confirming the application — and wait for completion before they file anything on your behalf. An incomplete application is not proof of legitimacy.

Request their practitioner credentials in writing

Once you have found them in the register, ask the practitioner to email you their SARS agent reference number and a copy of their current registration certificate or proof of registration. A legitimate practitioner will do this without hesitation — it is part of their professional standard. If they seem irritated by the request or keep promising to send it "later," that is a signal to look elsewhere. Store this documentation for your records. You may need it later if SARS has questions about your return or if a dispute arises. Also ask what category they are registered under. If you are filing a straightforward personal income tax return, they should be registered as a tax practitioner or tax consultant. If they are only registered as an accounting officer or in a different category, they may lack the specific authorisation to file your individual return. The categories matter because SARS restrictions exist for good reasons — they define the scope of work each person is qualified to do.

Verify their standing with referrals and direct checks

Registration is a baseline, not a complete picture. Call or email a previous client (ask the practitioner for a reference) and ask how long they worked with this person, whether returns were filed on time, and whether SARS accepted them without queries. A practitioner with a track record of clean, on-time submissions will have references willing to vouch for them. You can also contact SARS' tax practitioner hotline or the relevant professional body — such as the South African Institute of Professional Accountants (SAIPA) or the Tax Practitioners Board — to ask whether any complaints or disciplinary actions are on record against this person. These bodies do not publish this information publicly, but they will often confirm whether someone is in good standing when you call. If a practitioner is registered with SARS but has a complaint history with a professional body, you need to know that before handing them your details. Finally, if the practitioner is asking you to pay large upfront fees before they have even reviewed your documents, or if they are pressuring you to claim deductions that sound questionable, pause. Legitimate practitioners work to your timeline and are clear about what they can and cannot claim on your behalf.

Verifying a SARS registration takes less than an hour and could spare you months of hassle with the tax authority. Use the search register, ask for proof, and follow up with a reference. When you find someone registered and vouched for, you can file with confidence. Strove brings together verified tax practitioners in your area — search there to find someone whose qualifications you can check before you get in touch.