Banking Details and OTPs: What Taxpayers Must Do Before Filing Season 2025

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With tax season just around the corner, SARS has issued a timely reminder to make sure your banking and security contact details are up to date before submitting your return. It sounds simple — but failing to do so could delay refunds or lock you out of your own account.

💡 Why It Matters

Your email address and cell phone number are your security gatekeepers. SARS uses them to send One-Time Pins (OTPs) needed for actions like:

• Updating your banking information

• Securing access to your eFiling account

• Receiving important tax alerts

🚫 If your contact details are outdated, you won’t receive your OTP — meaning you can’t change your bank account or secure your profile online.

✅ How to Update Your Details

1. Update Your Security Contact Details

📍This step is required to receive your OTP.

• Log in to SARS eFiling

• Click “My Profile” on the left-hand menu

• Select “Profile and Preference Setup”

• Scroll to “Security Contact Details” to update your email or phone number

• Choose how you want to receive your OTP (SMS or email)

• Enter the OTP and save the changes

2. Update Your Banking Details

Once your security details are correct, you can update your banking information:

• Log in to eFiling

• Use the “Update My Personal Income Tax Bank Account” shortcut

• Select “Maintain SARS Registered Details”

• Fill in your:

  • Bank name

  • Branch code or name

  • Account number

  • Account type

  • Account holder name

• Confirm the update via the OTP sent to your verified contact

📞 Can’t access your OTP because both your email and phone number changed?
You’ll need to contact SARS directly at 0800 00 7277 or book an appointment via www.sars.gov.za to visit a branch in person.

📚 Additional Sources

SARS has published clear and practical guides to walk taxpayers through the process:

📘 IT-AE-36-G05 - Comprehensive Guide to the ITR12 Income Tax Return for Individuals

📘 GEN-GEN-41-G01 - Change of Banking Details – External Guide

📘 IT-AE-36-G06 - How to Submit Your Individual Income Tax Return via eFiling

📘 IT-AE-46-G01 - How to Submit Your Individual Income Tax Return via the SARS MobiApp

🎯 Bottom Line: Don’t let outdated info block your refund. Log in, double-check your details, and update what’s needed — before filing opens. It takes 10 minutes now, but could save you weeks of frustration later.