Blog

Guides for South African business owners

Plain-English help with tax, VAT, SARS and payroll.

Provisional tax in South Africa — deadlines, calculations and avoiding penalties

What provisional tax is, who must pay it, how the two payments are calculated, the 2026 deadlines, and how to avoid SARS penalties and interest.

How is PAYE calculated in South Africa? (2026 guide)

A plain-English guide to how PAYE is worked out in South Africa — tax brackets, rebates, UIF and take-home pay — with a free calculator.

VAT201 explained — a simple guide for South African small businesses

What the VAT201 return is, who must file it, how output and input VAT work, and when it's due — a plain-English guide for SA small businesses.

Do I need to register for VAT in South Africa?

The R1 million compulsory VAT threshold, voluntary registration from R50,000, the pros and cons, and what changes once you're VAT-registered.

Sole proprietor vs (Pty) Ltd — which is better for tax in South Africa?

A clear comparison of how sole proprietors and private companies are taxed in South Africa, with the break-even point and other things to weigh up.

PAYE, UIF and SDL — the payroll taxes every SA employer must pay

A simple breakdown of the three payroll taxes South African employers deal with — PAYE, UIF and SDL — plus ETI, the EMP201, and monthly deadlines.

SARS tax deadlines every South African business owner should know

A plain-English calendar of the SARS deadlines that matter for small businesses — VAT201, EMP201, provisional tax, EMP501 and company returns.

How to register a company in South Africa (CIPC) — and what to do next

A step-by-step guide to registering a (Pty) Ltd with CIPC in South Africa, what it costs, how long it takes, and the tax and banking steps that follow.

How to invoice as a freelancer or sole proprietor in South Africa

What to put on a professional invoice in South Africa, when to add VAT, how to get paid faster, and the records you need to keep for SARS.

What is the Employment Tax Incentive (ETI) — and how much can you claim?

How the Employment Tax Incentive works in South Africa, who qualifies, how much you can claim per employee, and how it reduces your PAYE bill.

How to legally reduce your small business tax in South Africa

Practical, legal ways South African small businesses lower their tax bill — claiming deductions, SBC rates, retirement contributions, ETI and good record-keeping.

Turnover Tax vs SBC — which is better for your small business?

A clear comparison of Turnover Tax and Small Business Corporation (SBC) tax in South Africa — who qualifies, the rates, and how to choose.

CIPC annual returns explained — fees, deadlines and penalties

What a CIPC annual return is, how it differs from your SARS tax return, what it costs, when it's due, and what happens if you don't file it.

How to pay yourself from your company — salary vs dividends (South Africa)

The two main ways to pay yourself from a (Pty) Ltd in South Africa, how each is taxed, the trade-offs, and how to work out which leaves you with more.

Does my small business need a B-BBEE affidavit? (EME & QSE guide)

How B-BBEE works for small South African businesses, what an EME and QSE are, when a simple affidavit is enough, and how to get one for free.

How to deregister or close a company in South Africa

The two ways to close a company in South Africa — voluntary CIPC deregistration and liquidation — the steps, the tax loose ends, and what to do first.

Why every business needs a separate bank account (and how to set one up)

Why mixing personal and business money is a costly mistake for South African businesses, the tax and legal reasons to separate, and how to open a business account.

Company vs sole proprietor — the full checklist for South Africa

A complete side-by-side checklist of sole proprietor vs (Pty) Ltd in South Africa — setup, tax, liability, admin, credibility and when to switch.

What records does SARS expect you to keep? (and for how long)

The financial records South African businesses must keep for SARS, how long to keep them (5 years and more), and how to stay audit-ready.

How to register for PAYE and VAT on SARS eFiling

Step-by-step guide to registering your South African business for PAYE and VAT on SARS eFiling — when you must register, what you need, and what comes next.

What happens if you don't file a CIPC annual return?

The real consequences of missing your CIPC annual return in South Africa — penalties, deregistration, frozen bank accounts — and how to fix it.

EME vs QSE — what's the difference? (B-BBEE for small business)

The difference between an EME and a QSE under B-BBEE in South Africa — the turnover thresholds, what each needs, and how to tell which one your business is.

Dividends tax in South Africa explained — how much you'll pay

How dividends tax works in South Africa, the 20% rate, who withholds it, how it stacks with company tax, and whether a salary or dividend leaves you with more.