-
How to Register for UIF as an Employer
Quick Answer How to Register for UIF as an Employer Register as a UIF employer on uFiling (or at a Labour Department office) before paying your first salary. Contributions are 1% from the employer + 1% from the employee (2% total) of gross pay, subject to the UIF earnings ceiling – pay via your monthly EMP201 to SARS and declare on uFiling. What you need to register Business registration (CIPC documents) or ID for sole proprietors SARS tax reference number Banking details and business address First employee’s ID and details (if already hired) Portal: uFiling. Glossary: UIF and uFiling. The monthly and annual rhythm Deduct 1% from the employee’s pay…
-
How to Accept Online Payments in South Africa
Quick Answer How to Accept Online Payments in South Africa South African small businesses have four main routes: payment gateways (Payfast, Yoco, Peach Payments) for websites and links, payment links for WhatsApp and email, instant EFT built into gateways, and mobile card machines for in-person sales. For online-only sales you can be live within days at roughly 1.5-3.5% per transaction. The main options compared Method Best for Typical cost Payment gateway (Payfast, Yoco, Peach) Website checkouts, WooCommerce/Shopify ~1.5-3.5% per transaction Payment links WhatsApp, email, invoices Similar %, no website needed Instant EFT (via gateway) Customers without cards Flat fee per transaction Mobile card machine (Yoco etc.) Markets, deliveries, pop-ups ~1.5-2.9%…
You May Also Like
How to Sell on WhatsApp in South Africa
-
How to Sell on WhatsApp in South Africa
Quick Answer How to Sell on WhatsApp in South Africa Use the free WhatsApp Business app: create a business profile, build a catalogue with prices, share a click-to-chat link everywhere, take orders in chat, and confirm payment by EFT, instant EFT or a card link. Add the WhatsApp button to your Google Business Profile and website – and save customer consent for broadcast lists, because POPIA applies. Setting up in an afternoon Install WhatsApp Business (separate from your personal app). Complete the profile: trading name, hours, location, website, description with keywords. Build the catalogue: clear photos, prices, product codes – customers order by code. Set quick replies (‘Hi! Thanks for…
-
How to Collect Late Payments from Customers
Quick Answer How to Collect Late Payments from Customers Collect late payments in escalating steps: day 1 reminder, day 7 statement, day 14 formal letter, day 21 letter of demand with interest, day 30 cut off supply and consider the Small Claims Court (up to R20,000) or an attorney. Charge interest and collection costs if your terms allow – and put those terms on every invoice and quote. The escalation ladder Day Step Tone 1 Friendly email + statement Helpful 7 Phone call to the accounts person Firm 14 Formal letter referencing terms Businesslike 21 Letter of demand + interest Serious 30 Stop credit / pause work; Small Claims or…
-
How to Manage Business Cash Flow: A Practical Guide for South African SMEs
Quick Answer How to Manage Business Cash Flow: A Practical Guide for South African SMEs Cash flow is the timing of money in versus money out – and more small businesses die from bad timing than from low profit. The fix: a simple 13-week cash forecast, deposits on big jobs, strict payment terms, a tax savings account, and a buffer of at least one month of fixed costs. Why profitable businesses run out of cash You pay suppliers and salaries monthly, but customers pay you in 30-60 days (or later). Growth makes it worse: every new job needs cash before it brings money in. That gap is the working capital…
You May Also Like
How to Collect Late Payments from Customers
-
Business Funding Document Checklist: What Lenders and Funders Ask For
Quick Answer Business Funding Document Checklist: What Lenders and Funders Ask For Almost every SA funder asks for the same core pack: CIPC documents, SARS tax compliance, business plan, 12 months of bank statements, financial statements or management accounts, owner IDs and proof of address. Asset finance adds supplier quotes. Prepare the folder before you need the money – approvals move weeks faster. The master funding pack Document Why they ask Tip CIPC registration (CoR14.3) Proves the entity exists Keep the latest annual return filed SARS tax records / TCS Shows compliance Clear small debts first Business plan Tests your thinking 3-5 pages is fine if the numbers hold 12…
-
SEDFA Funding Explained: Loans, Grants and Support for SMEs
Quick Answer SEDFA Funding Explained: Loans, Grants and Support for SMEs SEDFA (Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency) is the 2024 merger of SEFA (loans) and SEDA (advisory) under the dtic. It offers small-business loans from around R50,000, grant programmes for specific sectors, and business development support – applications run through SEDFA offices and partner channels, and they expect a proper business plan, financials and owner contribution. What SEDFA actually offers Loans – working capital and asset finance for early-stage and trading SMMEs, often at concessional rates Grants – targeted programmes (co-operatives, youth, women-owned and sector-specific initiatives) Incubation and mentorship – the old SEDA network survives inside SEDFA Official portal: SEDFA…
-
Why Is My CSD Verification Failing?
Quick Answer Why Is My CSD Verification Failing? The Central Supplier Database (CSD) verifies your registration against SARS tax status, bank records, ID/Home Affairs data and CIPC records. Verification fails when any check turns red – most often an inactive tax status, a bank account name mismatch, an ID mismatch or an expired B-BBEE document. Fix each red item at its source, then re-run verification; it usually turns green within 24-72 hours. The verification checks, in order of failure frequency SARS tax status – inactive or non-compliant tax registration (fix at SARS, see the TCS guide) Bank account verification – the account name must match the registered entity name exactly;…
-
How to Find Government Tenders in South Africa
Quick Answer How to Find Government Tenders in South Africa All national and provincial government tenders are published free on eTenders, with municipal tenders on council portals and the Government Tender Bulletin. Register on eTenders, set category alerts, and check daily – most small-business opportunities are RFQs with 7-21 day windows, so speed matters more than size. Where tenders are actually published eTenders – the official national/provincial portal (etenders.gov.za) Municipal portals – Johannesburg, Cape Town, eThekwini, Tshwane and smaller councils publish locally Government Tender Bulletin – the weekly gazette for bigger bids Newspapers – legally required notices for some tenders Glossary: tender, RFQ. Set up your tender radar Register a…
-
How to Change a Company Name at CIPC
Quick Answer How to Change a Company Name at CIPC To rename a company you first reserve the new name at CIPC (R50), pass a special resolution of shareholders, then file the name change with the resolution – about R300 in total CIPC fees. The company registration number never changes, but you must then update SARS, the bank, the CSD, contracts and licences. Before you reserve: clearance checks Trademark search – a CIPC name reservation does not clear trademarks. Search the CIPC trademarks register and consider registering the new name as a trademark. Domain and social handles – secure them before announcing. Google the name – avoid inheriting someone else’s…
South Africa's Business Answer Hub
