Reference
Compress a PDF for SARS eFiling
SARS eFiling caps each supporting document at 5 MB, with a maximum of twenty files per submission. A scanned bank statement or a logbook photographed with a phone goes over that almost every time.
| Service or procedure | Maximum size | Source |
|---|---|---|
| SARS eFiling (per document) | 5 MB | SARS |
Checked on 2026-10-17.
What the limit actually covers
The 5 MB applies to each file on its own, not to the submission as a whole. Twenty separate 4 MB files are accepted; one 6 MB file is not.
The upload also fails silently more often than it warns you. A document that seems to have gone through but never appears in the case can simply have been rejected for size, which is why a verification request can arrive weeks later for a document you believe you sent.
Getting the document through, in three steps
- Open Compress PDF and drop your file in.
- Aim for 4 MB rather than 5, so a slow connection or an added page does not push you over.
- Download the result and attach it to the submission.
The compression runs in your browser: a bank statement or a tax certificate never reaches a server, which matters more here than almost anywhere else.
If the file is still too heavy
- A scan at 600 dpi weighs roughly nine times a scan at 200 dpi, and SARS does not need the extra detail.
- Scan in greyscale rather than colour unless the document carries a coloured stamp that matters.
- A photographed document compresses badly: rescan it flat if you can, or convert it with Images to PDF first.
- A long statement can be split by period with Split PDF, which also keeps you under the twenty-file ceiling if you plan it.
FAQ
What is the exact file size limit for SARS eFiling?
5 MB per supporting document, with a maximum of twenty documents per submission. The figure comes from SARS's own guidance, linked above with the date it was last checked.
Why was my document rejected even though it was under 5 MB?
The most common causes after size are an unsupported format and a password-protected PDF. SARS accepts PDF, and a file that opens only with a password is treated as unreadable.
Does compressing make the document unreadable for SARS?
Not if you keep the text sharp. Compress to 4 MB, open the result, and check that the smallest figures on the page are still legible before you submit.
Is it safe to compress a bank statement online?
Not on a site that uploads it. Here the file is processed inside your browser and never sent anywhere, which you can confirm in your browser's network tab.