What is a Public Officer?

A Public Officer is the individual who accepts liability for the company's tax actions. Every company must appoint one within 30 days of formation. They essentially serve as the face of the company to SARS.

Who can be a Public Officer?

Any individual who resides in South Africa. It is usually a director, but it can be a senior employee or an accountant (under specific mandates).

Why is my eFiling profile broken?

SARS often locks profiles where the 'Registered Representative' does not match the CIPC director database. We synchronize these two databases to unlock your profile.

Does the Public Officer have personal liability?

Yes, in cases of negligence or fraud. The Public Officer is responsible for ensuring returns are submitted and taxes are paid. They can be held personally liable for the company's non-compliance in severe cases.

SARS Representative Services

Public Officer Appointment & Activation

Locked out of eFiling? We update your company's Registered Representative and Public Officer details to restore your tax access.

The Checkbox That Stops Business

You can't file a return, issue a Tax Clearance, or claim a refund if your Public Officer is not updated. It is the single most common administrative block in South African tax.

Appointment of new Public Officer (PO) on eFiling
Updating Of Registered Representative details
Resolving 'Unable to Merge' eFiling errors
Ensuring the PO meets the 'resident in SA' requirement
Verification of residential address for SARS

Why It Matters

It's about liability and communication.

Legal Requirement

Section 246 of the Tax Administration Act mandates every company to have a Public Officer residing in the Republic.

Profile Access

Only the Public Officer can transfer a company's eFiling profile. If the old accountant has disappeared, updating the PO is the only way to get control back.

Bank Accounts

Banks now verify the company's tax status during CIPC annual return checks. Invalid POs trigger red flags.

How We Work

We believe good accounting starts with structure and consistency. Our approach is designed to give business owners clarity without unnecessary complexity.

A clear onboarding process

Defined monthly timelines

Accurate reconciliation and reporting

Practical explanations, not accounting jargon

Ongoing improvements as your business grows

"Our focus is on building reliable financial systems that support better decisions over time."

Frequently Asked Questions

Unlock Your Tax Profile

Don't let an administrative error stop your business. We update public officers on eFiling daily.