PDF guide

Make a SARS PDF under 5MB

A SARS-ready PDF should be small enough to upload, readable enough to verify, and clean enough to process without hidden encryption or filename issues.

Create SARS-ready PDFs from your phone. TaxScanZA scans and exports compliant tax documents.
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Updated 4 July 2026. General information, not tax advice.

The easiest way to create a SARS PDF under 5MB is to start with a good scan. If the first image is dark, skewed, blurry, or full of background, compression has to work harder and the final PDF may still be poor.

PDF checklist

  • Scan in bright, even light.
  • Keep the page flat and fill the frame.
  • Crop the scan to the page edges.
  • Export at document resolution rather than full camera resolution.
  • Keep the final PDF below 5MB.
  • Use a simple filename, such as IRP5_2026.pdf.

Avoid encrypted PDFs

If you downloaded a password-protected statement from a bank, converting or uploading that same file can still cause problems. A printed-and-scanned copy is often safer for supporting documents because the exported PDF is a normal scan, not a protected statement file.

Use TaxScanZA when you need certainty

TaxScanZA turns paper tax documents into SARS-ready PDFs, checks the file size and format, and shows a clear compliance result before export. It is built for South African taxpayers who need the upload to work the first time.