Compliance Guides
Plain-language guides on everything South African businesses need to know about CIPC, SARS, labour, and regulatory compliance.
VAT Registration Threshold 2026: South Africa Raises Limit to R2.3 Million From Today
From 1 April 2026, the compulsory VAT registration threshold increases from R1 million to R2.3 million. Whether you should deregister, the deemed output tax trap, and the Turnover Tax connection.
Read articleTax Compliance Status PIN: What Replaced the Tax Clearance Certificate in South Africa
The physical tax clearance certificate no longer exists. Here is how to apply for a TCS PIN on eFiling, what SARS checks, and what to do if your profile is red.
Read articleDirector Duties and Personal Liability Under the Companies Act
The Companies Act creates personal liability for directors who trade recklessly or breach their fiduciary duties. What the law says, how liability is triggered, and how to protect yourself.
Read articleHow to Wind Up or Deregister a Company in South Africa
Voluntary deregistration vs voluntary liquidation vs court-ordered winding up. Step-by-step processes, costs, timelines, and which route fits your situation.
Read articleSmall Business Corporation Tax Rates 2026: How to Qualify and Save
SBC tax rates start at 0% on the first R95,750. Qualifying criteria, the full rate table, SBC vs Turnover Tax, and the risks that cost you SBC status.
Read articleHow to Register for VAT in South Africa 2026: Voluntary vs Compulsory Explained
The compulsory threshold is now R2.3 million, voluntary registration opens at R120,000. How to register on eFiling, what documents you need, and whether voluntary registration makes sense.
Read articleEmployment Equity Reporting South Africa 2026: Who Must Submit, New Sector Targets Explained
The 2025 amendments introduced sector-specific targets, a new compliance certificate, and narrowed the designated employer definition to 50+ employees. Here is what changed.
Read articleFICA Compliance for South African Businesses: What It Means and What You Must Do
Who qualifies as an accountable institution, the seven core obligations, the difference between providing FICA documents and being subject to FICA, and penalties up to R50 million.
Read articleWhat Is a Public Interest Score — and Does Your Company Need an Audit?
Every SA company must calculate a Public Interest Score annually. Your score determines whether you need an audit, independent review, or compilation. Here is how to calculate yours.
Read articleSARS eFiling: How to Register and Set Up Your Profile for a Company
How to register on eFiling, add the correct tax types, appoint a public officer, and file your first ITR14 — step by step.
Read articleHow to Reinstate a Deregistered Company in South Africa — Step-by-Step CIPC Guide
Your company has been deregistered by CIPC. Whether reinstatement is possible, the documents you need, the R200 fee, the 30-day filing window, and how long it takes.
Read articleHow to Register a Company in South Africa — Complete CIPC Guide 2026
Which structure to choose, how to reserve a name, how to register on BizPortal or CIPC eServices, what it costs (R175), and what you must do after registration.
Read articleCOIDA Registration: How to Register and Get Your Letter of Good Standing
Register with the Compensation Fund within 7 days of hiring. W.As.2 form, Return of Earnings, the R633,168 earnings cap, and step-by-step Letter of Good Standing process.
Read articleHow to Change Company Directors at CIPC — CoR39 Step-by-Step Guide
Appointing, resigning, or removing a director must be filed within 10 business days. The OTP process, what happens to the departing director, and common mistakes.
Read articleHow to Change Your Company Name at CIPC — Step-by-Step Guide
Name reservation (R50), special resolution, CoR15.2 application (R250), and everything you must update after CIPC approves the change.
Read articlePOPIA Compliance for Small Businesses: What You Must Do
The eight conditions for lawful processing, the Information Officer, seven practical compliance steps, and penalties up to R10 million — in plain language for SMEs.
Read articleWhat Is a Close Corporation — and Can You Still Register One?
No new CCs since May 2011, but existing ones are still legal. CC vs (Pty) Ltd differences, whether to convert, and compliance obligations for CC owners.
Read articleWhat Is a Company Anniversary Date — and Why It Determines Your CIPC Deadline
Your CIPC annual return deadline is tied to your incorporation date, not the financial year-end. How to find yours and why this confusion causes most missed filings.
Read articleSkills Development Levy South Africa 2026: How to Claim Your 20% Grant Back Before 30 April
If your payroll exceeds R500,000 you pay SDL every month. Here’s how to claim back 20% of it.
Read articlePAIA Annual Report 2026: What Every SA Business Must Do Before 30 June
The submission window opens 1 April and closes 30 June 2026. Every company must submit — even with zero information requests. Here’s exactly how.
Read articleCIPC Annual Returns South Africa: Everything You Need to Know in 2026
Deadlines based on your anniversary date, filing fees by turnover, the BO block, step-by-step filing guide, and the real cost of missing your return.
Read articleWhat is CIPC Deregistration? What It Means for Your South African Business
Over 650,000 companies were deregistered in 2024 alone. What triggers it, what happens to directors personally, and how to stop it before it’s too late.
Read articleHow to Check Your CIPC Compliance Status
Two ways to check: the official CIPC method across three separate portals, or the 30-second ClearComply method. Here’s how both work.
Read articleHow to File Your Beneficial Ownership Declaration with CIPC — 2026 Guide
Over 2.2 million companies are on the non-compliance list. Who must file, what documents you need, the Optimised pathway, and step-by-step instructions.
Read articleAnnual Returns in South Africa: Everything You Need to Know
Deadlines based on your anniversary date, filing fees by turnover bracket, the BO block, and the real cost of missing your filing.
Read articleWhat is a CIPC Gazette Notice? What It Means and What to Do Right Now
If your company appeared in a CIPC Government Gazette notice, you have a limited window to act before final deregistration. Here’s exactly what it means and what to do today.
Read articleUIF for Employers: What South African Businesses Owe and How to Register
Every South African employer must register for UIF and pay monthly contributions. Who must register, how much you owe, the SARS vs uFiling distinction, and what happens if you don’t comply.
Read articleCOIDA: What South African Employers Owe and How to Stay Compliant in 2026
Every employer must register with the Compensation Fund under COIDA. Registration, Return of Earnings, Letter of Good Standing, assessment fees, and the 2026 amendments explained.
Read articleB-BBEE for South African SMEs: What You Actually Need and How to Get It
Most SMEs qualify for B-BBEE recognition without a verification agency. EME, QSE, affidavit or certificate — here’s exactly what your business needs based on turnover and ownership.
Read articleProvisional Tax for South African Small Businesses: A Plain-Language Guide for 2026
Provisional tax is not a separate tax — it is a system for paying income tax in advance. Who must pay, the 2026/2027 deadlines, how to calculate it, and how to avoid SARS penalties.
Read articleFATF Grey Listing Explained: What It Meant for South Africa and What Comes Next
South Africa was grey-listed in February 2023 and removed in October 2025. What grey listing is, why the BO mandate exists, and why the compliance baseline has permanently shifted.
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