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Tax reference numbers

Created on  | Last modified on 

Summary

How to add a tax number to an employee on Sage Pastel Payroll.

Description

From February 2026, e@syFile Employer will only accept reconciliations if every employee has a valid Income Tax number. If the numbers aren’t there, you won’t be able to submit.

Resolution

CAUTION:

In Pastel Payroll, you can’t create IRP5 files or print tax certificates unless you fill in employees’ tax numbers.

  1. Click Edit then Employee Masterfile. 
  2. Find the employee and open their profile.
  3. Select the Tax tab then enter the tax reference number on the Tax Number field.
  4. Click Save to complete the process.

TIP:

Use How to run an exception report to see missing tax numbers as warnings on the IRP5/IT3a Report (Validation only), aligned with the above rules.

 

NOTE:

Starting February 2026, employers must capture valid Income Tax numbers for all employees in e@syFile Employer. SARS will reject submissions without them and apply penalties. If the employee doesn’t have a tax number, register them via e@syFile, eFiling, or at a SARS office. Contact SARS at 0800 00 7277.

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