Tax compliance for tenders
The PIN that replaced the certificate, and the timing that catches bidders out.
4 min read
Tax clearance for tenders is no longer a paper certificate. SARS issues a tax compliance status PIN that a buyer uses to verify your status in real time, which changes when compliance actually matters.
That timing is what catches people out, and it is the whole point of this guide.
How the PIN works
You request a tax compliance status through SARS eFiling and receive a PIN. The buyer uses that PIN to look up your status when they need it, which means they see your position on the day they check, not the day you applied.
Why the timing matters
Compliance is verified at evaluation. A tender that closes in August may be evaluated in October, and a return that falls due in September can move you from compliant to non-compliant in between. Your bid is then set aside despite having been compliant when you submitted it.
Diarise your SARS deadlines against your open bids. If a return falls due while a bid is live, file it early.
If you owe SARS
A payment arrangement in place with SARS can still leave you compliant. An outstanding return you have simply not filed is a different matter, and it is the more common problem. Filing a nil return is quick; leaving it unfiled is what disqualifies bids.
Common questions
- Is a tax clearance certificate still valid for tenders?
- The system moved to a tax compliance status PIN, which lets a buyer verify your status live. Provide the PIN as the tender document requests rather than an old paper certificate.
- Can I bid if I owe SARS money?
- Possibly. A formal payment arrangement can leave you compliant, whereas unfiled returns generally will not. Check your status on eFiling before you submit.