# AI tells a South African taxpayer to use FNB eFiling for SARS without mentioning the 30-second OTP expiry on FNB's banking app

- **ID:** `banking/south-africa-fnb-efiling-otp-expiry`
- **Domain:** banking
- **Category:** auth_error
- **Error Code:** `FNB-EFILING-OTP-30S`
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 78%

## Root Cause

FNB's eFiling integration with SARS requires a real-time OTP generated via the FNB Banking App, but the OTP expires after 30 seconds and the eFiling session times out if the user navigates away to check the app, causing a loop of failed authentications.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| FNB Banking App 6.20+ | active | — | — |
| SARS eFiling 2024 | active | — | — |
| FNB Smart Device 5.0 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Use the FNB Banking App on a separate device (e.g., tablet or second phone) while keeping the eFiling browser session open on the primary device. Generate the OTP on the second device and immediately type it into the browser.** (82% success)
   ```
   Use the FNB Banking App on a separate device (e.g., tablet or second phone) while keeping the eFiling browser session open on the primary device. Generate the OTP on the second device and immediately type it into the browser.
   ```
2. **Enable FNB's 'eFiling OTP via SMS' fallback by calling FNB customer support (087 575 9404) and requesting SMS-based OTP for eFiling. This bypasses the 30-second app expiry.** (75% success)
   ```
   Enable FNB's 'eFiling OTP via SMS' fallback by calling FNB customer support (087 575 9404) and requesting SMS-based OTP for eFiling. This bypasses the 30-second app expiry.
   ```
3. **Use a third-party tax submission platform like TaxTim or Sage One that integrates directly with SARS via API, avoiding FNB's eFiling OTP flow entirely.** (88% success)
   ```
   Use a third-party tax submission platform like TaxTim or Sage One that integrates directly with SARS via API, avoiding FNB's eFiling OTP flow entirely.
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **Request a new OTP multiple times until it works** — Each new OTP also expires in 30 seconds; repeated requests may trigger FNB's anti-fraud lockout after 3 attempts (65% fail)
- **Use the FNB website instead of the app for OTP generation** — FNB's eFiling flow mandates OTP generation via the banking app since 2023; the website OTP option is disabled for eFiling transactions (90% fail)
- **Clear browser cookies and cache before retrying** — The OTP expiry is server-side and session-based; clearing cookies does not extend the 30-second window (95% fail)