As from 28 August 2023, the South African Revenue Services (hereafter “SARS”) has embarked on a mission to protect documents with passwords in order to ensure that the intended recipient can access the information.

It is noted that the first document that will have this new encryption applied is the Notice of Registration known as the “IT150”. When a taxpayer receives the document from SARS, the taxpayer will be required to insert or rather use their identity document number; Passport number or Permit number to unlock their individually encrypted Notice of Registration: IT150.

Conclusion

SARS is taking active steps towards observing and implementing the ambit of the Protection of Personal Information Act (hereafter “POPI Act”) which sets out the minimum standards regarding accessing and 'processing' of any personal information belonging to another.