Compliance Guides
Plain-language guides on everything South African businesses need to know about CIPC, SARS, labour, and regulatory compliance.
Only 9% of South African Employers Are Compliant — And 10,000 New Inspectors Are Coming for the Rest
Only 9% of employers inspected passed Employment Equity checks in 2025/26 — and 10,000 new labour inspectors are being deployed under Project 20,000, with 3,800 already in the field by April, 3,500 from end-May, and another 2,700 by end-June 2026. What inspectors check in a combined EE / OHS / BCEA / UIF / COIDA visit, and the four obligations most at risk right now.
Read articleCOIDA Tariffs of Assessment 2026: Full Rate Table by Industry Class
COIDA tariffs for the 2025/2026 assessment year range from 0.18% (Class A) to 3.34% (Class I). Full 13-class rate table, the R633,168 per-employee earnings ceiling, the R1,621 commercial / R560 domestic minimum, worked calculation examples, and how to find your assigned subclass before the 30 June ROE deadline.
Read articleSARS Is Running a Secret Enforcement Operation and Most South African Business Owners Have No Idea
SARS launched Project AmaBillions — 1,500 new debt collectors targeting R518.2bn in undisputed tax debt, paired with SARS 3.0 AI-driven risk profiling. 330+ employers are in an active ETI court case. The four employer-specific risks in the crosshairs (ETI abuse, misclassified contractors, fringe benefits, travel claims), plus how third-party appointment notices let SARS debit your bank account without a court order.
Read articleWhy Your Industry Determines Whether You File Your COIDA Return — The Structural Explanation
72.8% of SA employers have an expired COIDA Letter of Good Standing — but the rate ranges from 85.1% (Agriculture) to 60.0% (Engineering). The structural reason each industry fails (or doesn’t) the COIDA filing test, with the ROE window closing 30 June.
Read articleBCEA Earnings Threshold 2026: What the New R269,600.90 Figure Means for South African Employers
The BCEA earnings threshold rose to R269,600.90 per annum from 1 May 2026 (~R22,466.74/month). The nine BCEA sections that switch off above the threshold, the two groups of employees most affected by the adjustment, what counts as "earnings", and the LRA/EEA knock-on effects for fixed-term and labour-broker employees.
Read articleCOIDA Workplace Injury Reporting: The 7-Day Rule, the 14-Day Rule, and What Changed in 2026
Workplace accidents must be reported to the Compensation Fund within 7 days; occupational diseases within 14 days of diagnosis. The W.Cl.2 form, the CompEasy portal, and the five biggest changes from the 2026 COIDA Amendment Act (PTSD recognised, commuter cover, training injuries covered, 3-year prescription, statutory rehab framework).
Read articleUIF Compliance Certificate South Africa: What It Is, Why You Need It, and How to Get One
A UIF Compliance Certificate is required for every SA government tender — no certificate, no bid evaluation. The fastest route via uFiling (free, immediate if your declarations are current), the email backup, the four most common rejection reasons, and where it sits in the four-document tender compliance chain.
Read articlePOPIA Information Officer Registration: What It Is, Who Must Do It, and How to Register in 2026
Every SA business that handles personal information must register an Information Officer with the Information Regulator. By default that is the CEO — whether you have registered or not. Step-by-step online and manual registration, plus the four follow-on POPIA obligations once you are registered.
Read articleNational Minimum Wage South Africa 2026: Current Rates, Who It Applies To, and What Happens If You Don’t Comply
The NMW rose to R30.23 per hour on 1 March 2026 — up from R28.79. Full breakdown of sector rates (security, retail, cleaning, road freight), what counts as part of the wage, the BCEA earnings threshold change from 1 May, and the two-track enforcement mechanism if you underpay.
Read articleThe Employment Equity Targets Are Now Law: What Three Court Losses Mean for South African Employers
Three courts have upheld SA’s Employment Equity sectoral targets. Employers with 50+ staff must comply by 2030 or face penalties up to 10% of annual turnover. What the rulings actually require, and the five practical steps for employers who have done nothing yet.
Read articleSouth Africa Is Expanding OHS Compliance to Include Stress, Workload, and Mental Health — What Employers Need to Know
The Department of Employment and Labour has signalled that psychosocial workplace risks — workload, stress, management conduct, exploitative employment — are now firmly inside the OHS compliance framework. The three obligations this creates for South African employers.
Read articleThe Hawks, a School Closure, and a Warehouse Collapse: What South Africa’s 2026 Labour Enforcement Surge Means for Your Business
R27M TERS fraud arrests, a primary school shut by prohibition notice, and a warehouse-collapse Section 31 investigation — three Department of Employment and Labour actions in five months and what they signal for every SA employer.
Read articleWhat Is a Labour Inspection in South Africa — And What Happens If You Fail?
A South African labour inspector can walk into your business unannounced. Exactly what they check across OHS, BCEA, UIF and COIDA in a single visit — and what a contravention notice, prohibition notice, or prosecution actually means.
Read article73% of South African Workplaces Are Failing OHS Inspections — Here’s What Labour Inspectors Actually Check
The Department of Employment and Labour found 73% OHS non-compliance in a 2026 inspection sweep across five industries. Here is the full inspector checklist — and what a contravention notice actually costs.
Read articleCOIDA Compliance in South Africa 2026: Industry-by-Industry Analysis
ClearComply analysed 188,920 SA employers and found 72.8% have expired COIDA certificates. But the industries you would expect to be worst — mining and construction — are among the best. Here is why.
Read articleWhat Happens When South African Businesses Ignore Compliance: Real Consequences, Real Numbers
From CIPC deregistering 500,000 companies in a single month to R5 million POPIA fines — here is what actually happened to businesses that missed their compliance obligations, and what it cost them.
Read articleLetter of Good Standing Expired? How to Recover Your COIDA Compliance
Your COIDA Letter of Good Standing has lapsed and a tender is closing this week. The recovery sequence, common refusal reasons, and how to handle a multi-year ROE backlog.
Read articleCOIDA for Domestic Workers: Deadline, How to Register, and What You Owe
Since the Mahlangu Constitutional Court ruling, every household that employs a domestic worker is a COIDA employer. The 2026 deadline, how to register on the CF-Portal, and what the assessment will actually cost.
Read articleCOIDA for Construction Contractors: Why the Principal Contractor Will Refuse You Without a Letter of Good Standing
On a construction site, a lapsed Letter of Good Standing is not an admin problem — it is a Section 89 mandator-liability risk. What the Construction Regulations require of every contractor.
Read articleUIF for Domestic Workers: What Every South African Household Employer Must Do
Domestic workers, gardeners, and childminders who work more than 24 hours a month trigger the UIF obligation. How to register on uFiling, what to contribute, and how to regularise a long-standing arrangement.
Read articleVAT 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 Use ClearComply Basic — Your DIY Compliance Dashboard Guide
Step-by-step walkthrough of every Basic plan feature: the 5-check diagnostic, all 12+ obligations, advanced reminders (60/30/14/7/3/1 day), 8 compliance templates, analytics dashboard, and the B.O Fix-It Co-Pilot.
Read articleHow to Use ClearComply Enterprise — Bulk Client Compliance for Accountants
Manage up to 100 client companies from one dashboard. Bulk CIPC checks, compliance reporting, CSV/PDF export, unlimited users, and the Lead Intelligence add-on explained.
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 Return of Earnings 2026: Deadline, Calculator and Step-by-Step Guide
The 2026 COIDA ROE window runs 1 April to 30 June. Miss it and you lose your Letter of Good Standing. What to submit, how to calculate your fee, and what the new penalties mean.
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.
Read articleCIPC Changes How It Confirms Business Rescue Proceedings: What South African Companies Must Know in 2025
CIPC no longer stamps COR123.1, COR125.2 and COR125.3 applications. Find out what the new confirmation process means for your business rescue compliance.
Read articlePOPIA and Driver's Licence Copying at Security Gates: What South African Businesses Must Know in 2025
Security guards copying driver's licences at access points may be breaking POPIA. Here's what SA businesses and estate managers must do now.
Read articleSARS Launches New Waiting Room for Auto Assessments 2025: What South African Taxpayers Must Know
SARS has launched a new online Waiting Room for auto assessments. Find out how it affects your tax compliance and what to do before tax season 2025.
Read articleFake SARS Emails and SMS Scams Are Surging in 2025 — Here's How to Protect Your Business
Fraudsters are impersonating SARS with fake emails and SMS messages. Learn how to spot scams, avoid penalties, and protect your business this tax season.
Read articleSARS 2026 Phased Filing Season: What South African Taxpayers and SMEs Must Know Now
SARS has launched its 2026 phased filing season. Miss your window or file out of turn and face penalties. Here's what SA businesses must do now.
Read articleSARS Tax Compliance Status: What Every South African SME Must Know in 2026
SARS is actively checking tax compliance status. Non-compliant SMEs face blocked tenders, banking issues and penalties. Find out what to do now.
Read articleSARS Tax Season 2026 Launches Next Week: Check Your Banking Details Now or Risk Delayed Refunds
SARS Tax Season 2026 launches next week. Check your banking and contact details now or risk delayed refunds and compliance issues. Act before it's too late.
Read articleSARS Auto-Assessments 2025: Why Accepting Without Checking Could Cost You Thousands
SARS auto-assessments contain errors that reduce refunds or increase tax bills. Here's what South African taxpayers must check before accepting in 2025.
Read articleSARS 2026 Filing Season Is Open: What SMEs Must Know About Auto-Assessments and Penalties
SARS has launched the 2026 Filing Season. Miss a deadline or ignore your auto-assessment and face steep penalties. Here's what SA taxpayers must do now.
Read articleSARS 2026 Filing Season: What Every South African Taxpayer Must Know Before 1 July
SARS has confirmed the 2026 Filing Season opens 1 July with a phased structure — miss your phase deadline and administrative penalties compound monthly. Here is what every South African taxpayer must know before the season begins.
Read articleSARS VAT Threshold Doubles to R2.3 Million: What Every South African SME Must Do Now (2026)
SARS raised the VAT registration threshold to R2.3 million from 1 April 2026. Find out what this means for your SME and whether you need to act now.
Read articleSARS AI Has Already Blocked R100 Million in Improper Outflows — And It's Coming for Non-Compliant Taxpayers Next (2026)
SARS AI has blocked R100m+ in improper outflows and is expanding. Here's what it means for your business and how to stay compliant in 2026.
Read articleSARS Tax Season 2026: What South African SMEs Must Do Before Filing Opens
SARS is changing how tax season works in 2026. Find out what South African SMEs must do now to avoid penalties and filing delays. Read the full breakdown.
Read articleSARS 2026 Tax Filing Dates: What SMEs Without Automatic Assessments Must Know
SARS has confirmed July to October 2026 filing dates for taxpayers without automatic assessments. Miss the deadline and face penalties. Act now.
Read articleCOIDA Return of Earnings Deadline 2025: What South African Employers Must Know Now
South African employers risk penalty assessments, interest charges, and loss of their Certificate of Good Standing if they miss the COIDA Return of Earnings deadline. Here is exactly what the obligation covers, what non-compliance costs, and the steps to fix it now.
Read articleSARS Narrows the 'Honest Mistake' Defence: What the 2026 Understatement Penalty Changes Mean for Your Business
SARS has tightened the bona fide inadvertent error defence in 2026. Find out what the understatement penalty changes mean for SA taxpayers and SMEs now.
Read articleSARS May Already Have Calculated Your Tax: What Every South African Business Owner Must Check in 2025
SARS can assess your tax, issue a debt, and start enforcement action before you've logged into eFiling. Here's what every South African business owner must check before the 2025 tax season catches them out.
Read articleGlobal Minimum Tax South Africa: What MNEs Must Do Before 16 March 2026
SARS launches Global Minimum Tax on eFiling from 16 March 2026. MNE groups with €750m+ turnover face new 15% minimum tax obligations. Act now.
Read articleSARS Small Business Tax Changes 2026: New Thresholds, VAT Rules and What SMEs Must Do Now
SARS raised VAT and Turnover Tax thresholds from 1 April 2026. Miss the update and your SME risks penalties. Here's what changed and what to do now.
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