Guides for South African businesses
Practical, plain-English guides on VAT, PAYE, UIF, SARS deadlines and bookkeeping — written to help you stay compliant and run your business with less admin.
15 resources
SARS and eInvoicing: What's Actually Required, and What Isn't (Yet)
South Africa now has a legal framework for eInvoicing — and a lot of alarming commentary about 2026 deadlines that don't exist. Here's what actually became law, what's still voluntary, who goes first, and the handful of things worth doing now.
SARS Turns Up the Heat on the ETI: Are Your Payroll Records Audit-Ready?
Interpretation Note 145 makes SARS's position plain: signed contracts and the right ages don't secure an ETI claim. You have to show the person actually worked for you. Here's what SARS will ask for, what it costs to get wrong, and how to keep the evidence.
How Long Does a SARS Refund Take?
SARS aims to pay most refunds within 72 hours of your assessment — but only if a few boxes are ticked. Here's what the timelines really are, what delays a refund, and how to check where yours is.
Cash Flow Management for Small Businesses: A Practical Guide for South African SMEs
Profit isn't cash. The practical habits that keep a South African small business solvent — getting paid faster, timing what you owe, forecasting, and never spending the VAT and PAYE you're holding for SARS.
Understanding Your Financial Statements: The Income Statement, Balance Sheet & Cash Flow
The income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement — what each one actually tells you, how they fit together, and the handful of numbers worth watching every month.
Sole Proprietor vs (Pty) Ltd: Choosing a Business Structure in South Africa
The real differences between trading as a sole proprietor and registering a (Pty) Ltd in South Africa — liability, how you're taxed, admin and cost — and how to decide.
The Employment Tax Incentive (ETI): How South African Employers Can Claim It
Hiring young South Africans can earn you money back through the ETI. Who qualifies, how the sliding scale works, the 24-month limit, and how you claim it via your EMP201.
Employee Leave in South Africa: A BCEA Guide for Employers
Annual, sick, family responsibility, maternity and parental leave under the BCEA — the minimum entitlements every South African employer needs to get right.
Small Business Bookkeeping Basics: A Practical Guide for South African SMEs
The habits that keep a small South African business's books clean — separate accounts, monthly reconciliation, source-document discipline and knowing what SARS expects.
What Makes a Valid Tax Invoice in South Africa?
The details SARS requires on a tax invoice, the difference between a full and abridged invoice, the R50 and R5,000 thresholds, and why it decides whether you can claim input VAT.
SARS Deadlines Every South African Business Should Know
The recurring SARS deadlines — EMP201, VAT201, provisional tax (IRP6), EMP501 and the annual company return — laid out so nothing sneaks up on you.
Provisional Tax (IRP6) Explained for South African Businesses
Who counts as a provisional taxpayer, the two IRP6 returns due each year, how the estimates work, and how to steer clear of under-estimation penalties.
PAYE, UIF and SDL Explained: A South African Employer's Guide to Payroll Deductions
What PAYE, UIF and SDL actually are, who pays what, and how employers declare them monthly on the EMP201 and reconcile with SARS on the EMP501.
Cloud Accounting vs Desktop Software: Why South African Businesses Are Moving Online
Access anywhere, automatic backups, live bank feeds and compliance that updates itself — the practical reasons South African businesses are leaving desktop software and spreadsheets behind.
VAT Registration in South Africa: When and How to Register with SARS
The new R2.3 million threshold, voluntary registration from R120,000, how to register on SARS eFiling, and what changes for your business once you're a VAT vendor.
Calculators for South African businesses
Free, instant calculators built on the latest SARS rates — no sign-up required.
PAYE Calculator
Work out your monthly or annual PAYE, UIF and take-home pay for the 2026/2027 tax year.
Open calculatorVAT Calculator
Add or remove 15% VAT from any amount — get the exclusive price, the VAT portion and the inclusive price.
Open calculatorUIF Calculator
Calculate the monthly UIF contribution — employee, employer and total — with the earnings ceiling applied.
Open calculatorBonus Tax Calculator
See how much tax comes off your bonus or 13th cheque, and what you'll actually take home.
Open calculatorLess admin, more business.
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