SARS Office East London

The SARS East London branch serves the Buffalo City metro and surrounding Eastern Cape communities — including King William's Town (Komani), Bhisho, Mdantsane, Stutterheim, and the Amathole district. The Eastern Cape has a significant government employment base and a growing small business sector. Individual taxpayers, government employees, small business owners, and agricultural producers are the office's primary users. This guide covers how to book an appointment, what to bring per service, and how to resolve common tax issues.

Office Details

Address: SARS East London, Oxford Street, East London, 5201
Area: East London CBD, Eastern Cape
Public Transport: Taxis and bus services serve the East London CBD. Parking is available nearby.

Operating Hours:

• Monday to Friday: 08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
• Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays: Closed
• Appointments required for all services.

How to Book an Appointment

1. Via eFiling: Log in at www.sarsefiling.co.za and select "Book Appointment."
2. Via the SARS call centre: Call 0800 00 7277 and request an appointment at the East London branch.

Book ahead — July–October tax season and month-end appointments fill quickly.

Services Available at East London

• Personal income tax (ITR12) filing and queries
• Provisional tax (IRP6) submissions and queries
• VAT registration, returns, and queries
• PAYE and employer return queries (EMP201 / EMP501)
• Tax registration for individuals and entities
• Tax Compliance Status (TCS / clearance pin)
• Agricultural and manufacturing sector queries
• Outstanding return and debt resolution
• Profile updates (banking, address, representative)

Document Checklists by Service Type

Personal Income Tax Return (ITR12)

• South African ID or passport — original
• IRP5 / IT3(a) certificates from all income sources
• Medical aid certificate
• Retirement annuity contribution certificate
• Travel logbook (if claiming travel allowance)
• Any SARS correspondence, audit, or verification letters

Government Employee ITR12

• IRP5 from your government employer
• Any additional income sources
• Medical aid certificate
• Retirement annuity contribution record

VAT Registration or Query

• Business or company registration documents
• VAT registration number
• Supporting invoices and financial records for the period
• Authorised representative's ID

PAYE and Employer Return Query

• Company or entity registration
• Employer tax reference number
• EMP201 payment confirmations and EMP501 reconciliation
• Payroll summary

Tax Debt / Payment Arrangement

• SARS statement of account
• Proof of recent payments
• Income and expense overview

eFiling vs Branch Visit

Use eFiling first for:

• Return submissions and document uploads
• Return and refund status checks
• Statement of account requests
• Tax registration (income tax, VAT, PAYE)
• TCS pin generation

Come to the East London branch when:

• eFiling profile or identity issues need in-person resolution
• SARS requires original documents for a verification
• You are under audit or need to lodge a formal objection
• A payment arrangement requires documentation sign-off

Visit Timing Tips

Best time: Tuesday to Thursday, 09:00–11:00 AM.

Avoid: Mondays, Fridays, month-end, and July–October. Government payday cycles in the Eastern Cape can also influence demand — avoid days immediately after government payroll dates.

Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Tax refund not paid after assessment

Check banking details on eFiling. If flagged, visit with ID and bank letter to update.

eFiling account locked

Visit the East London branch with your original South African ID to clear the identity flag.

Outstanding return after submission

Allow 48–72 hours. If still outstanding after a week, visit with your submission confirmation.

Government employee auto-assessment incorrect

If SARS's auto-assessment is based on incorrect IRP5 data, your employer's payroll department must correct the EMP501 submission. You can then access the corrected auto-assessment via eFiling.

VAT refund delayed

Upload supporting invoices and documents promptly via eFiling when SARS issues a verification request. Delays in responding extend the refund timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

I work for the Eastern Cape government. Do I need to file a return or will SARS auto-assess me?

If your income is from a single employer and your employer has submitted the EMP501, SARS may auto-assess you. Check eFiling for your auto-assessment notice. If your income is more complex (rental, additional employment, business income), you should file a full ITR12 return.

Can I handle a King William's Town tax matter at the East London branch?

Yes. East London covers the Buffalo City catchment and can handle matters from across the broader region.

I'm a sole proprietor in Mdantsane. Do I need a separate business tax number?

Sole proprietors trade under their personal income tax number. All business income is declared on your ITR12 return. You may need to register for VAT separately if your turnover exceeds R1 million.

Can I appeal an auto-assessment I disagree with?

Yes. Log into eFiling and select "Dispute Resolution" within 40 business days of the assessment. For complex objections, a tax practitioner or SARS official at the East London branch can assist.

Related Guidance

• Explore related guidance: Category hub
• Use our practical tools: Free checker/calculator

Official References

• SARS Website: www.sars.gov.za
• SARS eFiling: www.sarsefiling.co.za
• SARS Call Centre: 0800 00 7277

Last Reviewed

Last reviewed: 2026-03-03. Tax rules, rates, and procedures change — verify against www.sars.gov.za before acting.