As of 1 March 2011, every employed person in South Africa must be registered as a Tax Payer regardless if they pay PAYE or not, or if they are South African on Foreign.  If an employee already had a tax reference number the employer can obtain the tax number from the employee. Alternatively, the employer must register the employee on both the E@syfile software and eFiling website or at any SARS office.

To capture an employee’s tax reference number:

1. Click Edit, Employee Master files. Once on the employee Master file screen, the search icon can be used to locate the desired employee's Master file.
2. On the employee's Master file, select the Tax tab.
3. The employee's tax reference number must be captured into the Tax Number field:
   
   
4. Click the Saved icon at the top of the Master file to complete the process.

NOTE: This exception is only a warning and Pastel Payroll will allow you to do your Year-end process without having added your employee’s tax reference numbers. It will at no point stop you from processing your Year End, or from generating your IPR5/IT3a Export File. You will also be able to import into the E@syfile software without the Tax Reference number and continue your submission. However, the employer could be penalized by SARS if a submission was completed where tax reference numbers were missing. For any queries contact SARS at 0800 00 7277.