SARS Expands Oversight of Crypto Transactions

South Africa’s tax authorities are preparing to implement new reporting standards that will bring cryptocurrency transactions squarely within the formal tax net. The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has released draft regulations to adopt the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), alongside updates to the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).

The proposed framework is expected to take effect from 1 March 2026. Once in force, it will require crypto-asset service providers—including exchanges, brokers, and wallet operators—to collect and report detailed data on users’ transactions. This includes information on the acquisition, sale, and transfer of crypto assets, the value of each transaction in rand, and the tax residency and identification numbers of users.

The regulations aim to align South Africa with global transparency standards that enable tax authorities to automatically exchange information on cross-border holdings and digital-asset activities. Similar frameworks are being adopted across major jurisdictions, creating a unified international approach to crypto-asset reporting.

For taxpayers, the implications are significant. SARS will gain direct access to transactional data previously considered difficult to trace. Income or capital gains derived from crypto trading, staking, or lending must be declared in the same manner as other investments.

SARS has indicated that enforcement will intensify once the framework is operational. Taxpayers who have not yet disclosed crypto-related earnings are encouraged to make use of the Voluntary Disclosure Programme (VDP) to regularise their tax affairs before the reporting regime takes effect. Should you require professional advice in this regard do not hesitate to contact our offices.