The documents you need depend on your return and what SARS asks you to prove. This checklist is for upload preparation: gather the records, scan them clearly, and make sure each file is ready for eFiling.
Common supporting documents
- IRP5 or IT3(a) certificates.
- Medical aid tax certificates and proof of qualifying expenses.
- Retirement annuity certificates.
- Donation certificates for qualifying donations.
- Travel logbook and vehicle expense records where relevant.
- Home office expense records where relevant.
- Bank statements or proof of payment when SARS asks for them.
Before you upload
- Check each file is under 5MB.
- Use PDF, JPG, JPEG, or PNG where accepted.
- Use simple filenames without special characters.
- Remove password protection by preparing a fresh scan if needed.
- Confirm every page is readable after compression.
Upload-ready workflow: Scan each document, name it by tax year and document type, run a file check, then keep the originals until SARS no longer requires them.
Use one file per document type
Combining unrelated documents can make uploads harder to review and can push the file over the size limit. Keep medical certificates, IRP5s, receipts, and bank statements separate unless SARS specifically asks for a combined file.
Related guides
See also what receipts to keep, medical aid certificate upload, and the document checker.