Last checked: 26 June 2026
Quick Answer
The verified SARS USSD code is *134*7277#. SARS lists this as an official mobile tax-services channel for selected Personal Income Tax services, including checking your tax number, requesting an account balance, checking whether you need to file a return, registering for Personal Income Tax, checking refund status, checking audit status, requesting a notice of assessment, and using the Two-Pot calculator. (South African Revenue Service)
This page is for users who want to confirm whether SARS *134*7277# is official before using it. For a broader list of verified public-service short codes, see public service USSD codes. For a dedicated SARS phone-service guide, see SARS mobile tax services.
Current Verified Status
The current verified SARS USSD route is:
Dial *134*7277#
SARS says that after dialling *134*7277#, your mobile device should display a menu of tax services. You then select the service you need by replying to the menu option. SARS may ask you to complete verification using your ID number, passport number, or asylum number, and once you are successfully verified, the tax response will be displayed on your device. (South African Revenue Service)
SARS originally launched the USSD service so taxpayers could request selected Personal Income Tax services without needing a smartphone or internet connection. SARS also described the USSD route as free of charge. (South African Revenue Service)
The SARS USSD code is not a full replacement for eFiling, the SARS MobiApp, SARS Online Query System, SARS WhatsApp, or SARS branch support. Use it for the services shown in the official menu, and switch to an official SARS alternative if the USSD session does not show the option you need.
How to Use the Service
Use the SARS USSD code only after confirming that the code is written exactly as:
*134*7277#
To use it:
- Open your phone dialler.
- Dial *134*7277#.
- Wait for the SARS menu to appear.
- Select the tax service you need.
- Enter the verification details requested by the official SARS menu.
- Check the response shown on your phone.
- Stop if the menu or message asks for unsafe information such as your banking PIN, card details, eFiling password, or OTP.
SARS lists the following services under the USSD channel:
| SARS USSD option | What it can help with |
|---|---|
| Two-Pot Calculator | Estimate possible tax on a Two-Pot retirement withdrawal |
| Personal Income Tax registration | Register for Personal Income Tax through the mobile menu |
| What’s my Tax number? | Check or retrieve your tax number |
| Request Account balance | View your Personal Income Tax balance and administrative penalties |
| Do I need to file a tax return? | Check whether SARS says you need to submit a return |
| Statement of Account | Request account information |
| Refund Status | Check refund progress |
| Audit Status | Check audit-related status |
| Notice of Assessment | Request or view assessment-related information |
SARS also lists related SMS and WhatsApp service options, but those are separate from the USSD menu. SMS services use 47277, while SARS WhatsApp uses 0800 11 7277. (South African Revenue Service)
Getting Your SARS Tax Number by USSD
You can use the SARS tax number USSD route if you need to check whether SARS has registered you for Personal Income Tax or if you need your tax reference number.
SARS gives the USSD steps as:
- Dial *134*7277#.
- Select the service you require.
- Complete taxpayer verification with your ID number, passport number, or asylum number.
- Wait for the response to display after successful verification. (South African Revenue Service)
SARS also says you can request your tax reference number by SMS by sending the correct format to 47277, or you can request your Notice of Registration through the SARS MobiApp if you are a registered eFiler. (South African Revenue Service)
Registering for Tax by USSD
The SARS PIT registration USSD option is available through the same SARS USSD code.
SARS says the USSD channel allows users to access SARS services by dialling *134*7277#, where the menu includes Personal Income Tax registration. (South African Revenue Service)
Use this route only for the official registration option shown in the SARS menu. If the USSD session fails, or if you need fuller online registration support, SARS also provides registration through eFiling and the SARS Online Query System. SARS says first-time eFiling registration can automatically register you for Personal Income Tax and issue a tax reference number if you have a valid South African ID. (South African Revenue Service)
Documents, Eligibility, or Reference Numbers Needed
The information you need depends on the SARS service you select. For the USSD route, prepare your:
| Detail | Why it may be needed |
|---|---|
| South African ID number | To verify your taxpayer profile |
| Passport number | To verify you if your SARS profile uses passport details |
| Asylum number | To verify you where applicable |
| Tax reference number | Useful for tax-status or account-related checks |
| SARS-registered cellphone number | SARS says mobile services should be used from the cellphone number registered on your SARS profile |
| Email address and physical address | May be needed for Personal Income Tax registration |
SARS notes that to access SMS tax services, you must be registered as a Personal Income Tax taxpayer, the number used must match your SARS-registered contact details, and the service is not available for tax practitioners. SARS also notes that its WhatsApp, USSD, and SMS services are not available for tax practitioners. (South African Revenue Service)
For branch-based tax registration, SARS says you should make an appointment before visiting a branch and bring supporting documents such as proof of identity and proof of address. (South African Revenue Service)
Official Alternatives if USSD Is Not Available
If *134*7277# does not work, do not try random alternative codes from WhatsApp, Facebook, SMS, or unofficial websites. Use an official SARS channel instead.
| If you need help with | Use this official SARS alternative |
|---|---|
| Full online tax access | SARS eFiling |
| Mobile tax management | SARS MobiApp |
| Online tax registration or status help | SARS Online Query System |
| Tax number by SMS | SMS SARS on 47277 using the official SARS format |
| WhatsApp tax services | SARS WhatsApp on 0800 11 7277 |
| Help without visiting a branch | SARS digital self-help services |
| In-person help | Book a SARS branch appointment |
SARS lists eFiling, the SARS MobiApp, WhatsApp, USSD, SARS Online Query System, and branch appointments as official digital or assisted routes for tax services. (South African Revenue Service)
SARS also says users can send “Hi” or “Hello” to 0800 11 7277 on WhatsApp and choose an option from the tax service menu. (South African Revenue Service)
For retirement withdrawal estimates, see SARS two-pot calculator USSD. For fake refund, demand, or payment messages, see SARS scam SMS.
Public-Service Safety and Scam Warnings
Because SARS deals with tax numbers, ID numbers, refunds, assessments, and banking-related matters, scammers often copy SARS wording to make fake messages look urgent.
Be careful of any SMS, email, WhatsApp message, or social media post that says:
- Your SARS refund is ready but you must click a link.
- Your tax account will be blocked unless you pay immediately.
- You must send your ID, bank card, OTP, or eFiling password to an “agent”.
- You must pay into a personal bank account.
- You must download an attachment to view a SARS letter.
- You must use a different USSD code that is not shown on SARS’s official website.
SARS warns users not to open or respond to unknown emails and to be careful of messages asking for personal, tax, banking, or eFiling details such as login credentials, passwords, PINs, or card information. SARS also says it will never request banking details by post, email, or SMS, will not send hyperlinks to other websites, does not send .htm or .htmlattachments, and will never ask for credit card details. (South African Revenue Service)
Never share these through an unsafe channel:
| Never share | Why |
|---|---|
| Banking PIN | SARS will not need your bank PIN for USSD tax checks |
| OTP | Scammers use OTPs to access accounts |
| eFiling password | This can expose your tax profile |
| Card number or CVV | SARS says it will never ask for credit card details |
| Online banking login | This is not needed for SARS USSD |
| ID document over WhatsApp to a stranger | Only use official SARS upload or verification routes |
| Payment proof to an unknown “SARS agent” | Scammers often impersonate SARS payment support |
A safe SARS USSD session should keep you inside the USSD menu. If a message moves you to a suspicious link, asks for private banking details, or pressures you to act immediately, stop and confirm the information on an official SARS channel.
FAQ
Is there an official SARS USSD code?
Yes. The verified official SARS USSD code is *134*7277#. SARS lists it as a mobile tax-services channel for selected Personal Income Tax services. (South African Revenue Service)
Is the SARS USSD service free to use?
SARS has described the USSD service as free of charge and available without needing a smartphone or internet connection. (South African Revenue Service)
Can I get my tax number with SARS USSD?
Yes. SARS says you can request tax services through the USSD channel by dialling *134*7277#, selecting the service you need, completing verification with your ID number, passport number, or asylum number, and waiting for the response after successful verification. (South African Revenue Service)
Can I register for Personal Income Tax by USSD?
Yes. SARS says the *134*7277# menu includes Personal Income Tax registration. (South African Revenue Service)
What should I do if the SARS USSD option does not work?
Check that you dialled *134*7277# exactly. If the session times out or the option you need is not available, use SARS eFiling, the SARS MobiApp, SARS Online Query System, SARS WhatsApp on 0800 11 7277, SMS on 47277, or a booked SARS branch appointment.
Is SARS USSD the same as eFiling?
No. SARS USSD is a quick mobile menu for selected Personal Income Tax services. eFiling is a fuller online platform for registration, returns, assessments, profile management, and more detailed tax tasks. SARS lists both eFiling and USSD as SARS digital channels, but they are different services. (South African Revenue Service)
What information should I never share when checking SARS USSD?
Do not share your banking PIN, OTP, eFiling password, card details, online banking login, or credit card details. SARS warns that it will never request banking details by post, email, or SMS and will never ask for credit card details. (South African Revenue Service)
How can I tell whether a SARS USSD message is fake?
Treat it as suspicious if it asks you to click a link, download an attachment, pay into a personal bank account, send an OTP, reveal your eFiling login, or use a code that is not listed by SARS. When in doubt, stop and confirm through the official SARS website or SARS’s official support channels.
Where should I confirm the latest SARS USSD details?
Confirm the latest SARS USSD code, menu options, and support routes on SARS’s official website before acting on information from a third-party page, SMS, WhatsApp message, or social media post. This page was last checked against official SARS sources on 26 June 2026.