Deadlines this month: October 2026
What small businesses in South Africa need to do this month and next. We update this page every day from the same rule list that sends our WhatsApp reminders.
VAT registration check (R2.3 million turnover in 12 months)
Who: If your sales are close to R2.3 million a year · Checked against an official source
You must register for VAT once your sales pass R2.3 million in any 12 months (this was R1 million before 1 April 2026), and apply within 21 days. Add up your last 12 months of sales now. If you are close, ask your bookkeeper or SARS what to do.
EMP501 employer reconciliation (interim and annual)
Who: If you employ anyone · Checked against an official source
Reconcile the tax you paid against your payslips and tax certificates, and submit it to SARS. The annual one covers 1 March to the end of February (in 2026 the window was 1 April to 31 May). The interim one covers 1 March to 31 August (in 2025 it ran 22 September to 31 October). SARS announces the dates each year. Every employee needs a valid income tax number.
CIPC annual return (companies and close corporations)
Who: Companies and close corporations · Checked against an official source
A company files its annual return within 30 business days after its registration anniversary. A close corporation files from its anniversary month until the end of the following month. File on the CIPC website even if you did not trade. Late filing costs penalties and can end in deregistration. Annual returns are separate from SARS tax returns.
EMP201 monthly payroll return and payment (SARS)
Who: If you employ anyone · Checked against an official source
The EMP201 covers PAYE, UIF and the skills levy. Submit it on eFiling and pay with your payment reference by the 7th of the month after you paid wages. If the 7th is a weekend or public holiday, do it by the last business day before. Late submission or payment brings penalties and interest.
UIF registration and monthly contributions
Who: If you employ anyone · Checked against an official source
Register as an employer with UIF and declare your staff. Contributions are paid every month with your EMP201, by the 7th of the following month. Keep staff records current.
Next month: November 2026
EMP201 monthly payroll return and payment (SARS)
Who: If you employ anyone · Checked against an official source
The EMP201 covers PAYE, UIF and the skills levy. Submit it on eFiling and pay with your payment reference by the 7th of the month after you paid wages. If the 7th is a weekend or public holiday, do it by the last business day before. Late submission or payment brings penalties and interest.
UIF registration and monthly contributions
Who: If you employ anyone · Checked against an official source
Register as an employer with UIF and declare your staff. Contributions are paid every month with your EMP201, by the 7th of the following month. Keep staff records current.
Employment Equity report (EEA2 and EEA4)
Who: Some businesses · Checked against an official source
With 50 or more employees you are a designated employer under the Employment Equity Act (since 1 January 2025, turnover no longer counts). Every year, submit the EEA2 report and the EEA4 income differentials statement to the Department of Employment and Labour: online by 15 January, or by hand by the first working day of October. Keep your employment equity plan up to date.
Updated 2026-10-26. Due dates on a weekend move to the Friday before. Public holidays are not taken into account.