Guides for South African business owners
Plain language explanations of the SARS, CIPC and payroll obligations that catch business owners out, written by the people who deal with them every day. No fluff, no gated downloads.
Latest guide
Interim EMP501 2026: what SARS changed, and what to check before 31 October
The 2026 interim EMP501 closes on 31 October. The new source codes, the e@syFile reinstall, what to reconcile first and what late filing costs.
Payroll · · 5 min read
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Payroll and employer obligationsEMP201, EMP501, UIF, COIDA and what an employer is actually on the hook for.VAT and SARS compliance
Registration thresholds, returns, verifications, tax clearance and penalty remission.Running the numbers
Management accounts, what things cost, and reading your own financials properly.Property and CIPC
Rental income, sectional title, annual returns and the deadlines that catch owners out.
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13 guides and updates, newest first. Each one is written to answer the question completely, not to sell you something halfway through.
Tax Tips · Provisional Tax in South Africa: Who Pays It and When
Who must pay provisional tax, the IRP6 deadlines, how the underestimation penalty works, and how to avoid the February panic. Plain-English guide for SA business owners.
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SARS Updates · SARS Auto-Assessment: Accept or File?
SARS auto-assesses millions of taxpayers each season. When accepting is safe, when you must file a full return, and the traps that cost refunds or trigger penalties.
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Tax Tips · How to Register for VAT in South Africa
When VAT registration is compulsory (R1m threshold), when to register voluntarily, and the exact SARS eFiling steps. 2026 guide for SA business owners.
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Compliance · Tax Clearance in South Africa: How the TCS PIN Works
How to get a SARS Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN, what SARS checks, why businesses fail, and how to stay permanently tender-ready. Practical SA guide.
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Payroll · EMP201 vs EMP501: What Every SA Employer Must Know
The difference between the monthly EMP201 and bi-annual EMP501 reconciliation: deadlines, penalties, and the mistakes that cost SA employers money.
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Compliance · CIPC Annual Returns: Deadlines, Costs and the Deregistration Risk
When CIPC annual returns are due, what they cost by turnover band, the beneficial ownership requirement, and what deregistration does to your company.
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Business Advice · How Much Should You Pay for Accounting in Sandton?
Realistic accounting fees in Johannesburg: bookkeeping from R1,500/m, full-service from R3,000/m, payroll R150-R500/employee. What drives costs and how to spot overpaying.
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Compliance · COIDA Registration: A Step-by-Step Guide for SA Employers
Every SA employer with even one employee must register for COIDA. How to register, file your Return of Earnings, get a Letter of Good Standing, and avoid penalties.
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Accounting · Management Accounts: What They Are and Why Your Bank Wants Them
What management accounts include, why SA banks require them for loans and overdrafts, what they should cost, and how monthly reporting improves decisions.
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Payroll · A Simple Guide to PAYE Registration for Small Businesses in South Africa
Learn how to register for PAYE with SARS as a small business in South Africa. A step-by-step guide to ensure you are tax compliant.
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Payroll · 5 Signs It's Time to Outsource Your Payroll
Is payroll taking up too much time? Worried about SARS compliance? Discover the 5 key signs that it's time to outsource your payroll to a professional service.
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Payroll · How Much Do Payroll Services Cost in South Africa?
A breakdown of payroll service pricing in South Africa. Understand the costs, from per-employee fees to sliding scales, and see what you should expect to pay.
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