Guides to South African tax and business
The small business tax guide for South Africa
Small Business Corporation rates, turnover tax, provisional tax and the R2.3 million VAT threshold, and how each one changes the tax your business pays.
VAT registration in South Africa in 2026
The compulsory VAT registration threshold rose from R1 million to R2.3 million on 1 April 2026. The voluntary registration floor rose from R50,000 to R120,000.
Starting a Pty Ltd in South Africa
The steps to set up a private company, in the order to do them: CIPC registration, SARS registrations, the bank account, beneficial ownership and your first-year obligations.
The UK firm's guide to offshoring to South Africa
How offshoring production work to South Africa works for a UK accounting firm, how it compares with other offshore locations, and how to run a small pilot first.
The employer's guide to PAYE, UIF and SDL
The payroll obligations a South African employer carries from the first employee: PAYE, UIF, SDL, the monthly EMP201 due on the 7th, the EMP501 reconciliations and COIDA.
Sole proprietor or (Pty) Ltd
How trading as a sole proprietor compares with trading through a private company in South Africa, on liability, tax, admin and growth.
Business tax deductions in South Africa
The expenses a South African business can deduct from taxable income, the ones it cannot, and the records SARS expects you to keep.
Turnover tax for micro businesses
If your business turns over R2.3 million or less, turnover tax can replace income tax and provisional tax with one calculation on your sales. The limit rose from R1 million in the 2026 Budget.
How to pay yourself from your company with salary and dividends
Own a Pty Ltd? How you take money out of it changes your tax bill. This guide compares how salary and dividends are taxed and shows how a mix of the two works.
Hiring your first employee in South Africa
Taking on your first staff member means registering with SARS and the Department of Employment & Labour. This guide covers the registrations, the full monthly cost and the monthly and yearly filings.
Independent contractor or employee for SARS purposes
SARS looks at how a person works for you, whatever the contract calls them. If SARS decides a contractor is an employee, your business owes the PAYE and UIF that was not deducted, with penalties.
Tax Compliance Status for tenders
SARS has replaced the paper tax clearance certificate with a TCS PIN on eFiling, which a third party verifies in real time. This guide covers how to get a PIN and keep your status compliant.
Provisional tax in South Africa
Provisional tax is paid in two instalments a year, based on your own estimate, with a penalty if the estimate is too low. This guide covers the deadlines, the calculation and the penalties.
Switching accountants in South Africa
Changing accountants follows a set professional clearance process. This guide covers the handover steps, the SARS and CIPC access transfer and the records that move with you.
Cashflow management for small businesses
A business can show a profit and still lack the cash to pay salaries. This guide covers the forecast, debtor collection, tax timing and a cash buffer for a South African small business.
Cloud accounting for South African small businesses
Cloud accounting software brings in your bank transactions daily, tracks VAT as you go and shows your figures on your phone. This guide covers the features, the main packages and how to set up.
Annual compliance for a Pty Ltd
Owning a company comes with a yearly list of obligations to CIPC and SARS. Missing them leads to penalties or deregistration. This guide lists each one with its deadline.
B-BBEE for small businesses
A business with turnover under R10 million can confirm its B-BBEE status with a free sworn affidavit. This guide covers the tiers, the levels and how the affidavit works.
Do you need an accountant for your South African business?
Whether you need an accountant depends on how your business is set up, whether you have staff and whether you are registered for VAT.
When should a South African business get an accountant?
A business's tax admin grows when it registers a company, takes on staff, reaches a turnover limit or receives a letter from SARS.