Complete Business Compliance Checklist

Comprehensive checklist to ensure your South African business stays fully compliant

Compliance Progress Tracker

0% Complete

Check off completed items to track your compliance progress

🏢 Company Registration & CIPC Compliance
Company Registration with CIPC
Ensure your company is properly registered with the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission
Required before starting business operations
Annual Returns Filing
File annual returns with CIPC within 30 days of anniversary date
Annual - within 30 days of registration anniversary
Company Name Reservation
Reserve company name if planning to register a new company
Valid for 6 months from reservation date
Update Company Details
Notify CIPC of any changes to directors, address, or shareholding
Within 20 business days of change
💰 Tax Compliance & SARS Requirements
Income Tax Registration
Register for income tax with SARS (automatic for companies)
Automatic upon company registration
VAT Registration (if applicable)
Register for VAT if turnover exceeds R1 million in 12 months
Within 21 days of exceeding threshold
Tax Clearance Certificate
Obtain and maintain valid tax clearance certificate (TCS PIN)
Required for tenders and contracts
Provisional Tax Returns
Submit provisional tax returns (IRP6) twice annually
August and February each year
Annual Income Tax Return
Submit annual income tax return (ITR14)
Within 12 months of financial year-end
👥 Employee Compliance (if applicable)
PAYE Registration
Register for PAYE if employing staff
Before first salary payment
UIF Registration
Register for Unemployment Insurance Fund
Before first salary payment
SDL Registration
Register for Skills Development Levy
Before first salary payment
EMP201 Monthly Returns
Submit monthly PAYE, UIF, and SDL returns
7th of each month
EMP501 Annual Reconciliation
Submit annual reconciliation of employee tax certificates
31st May each year
🏛️ Government Tender Readiness
CSD Registration
Register on Central Supplier Database for government tenders
Required for most government tenders
B-BBEE Certificate
Obtain valid B-BBEE certificate or affidavit
Required for most tenders
Industry-Specific Licenses
Obtain required licenses for your industry (e.g., construction, food, etc.)
Varies by industry
Business Bank Account
Maintain separate business bank account
Required for professional operations
📋 Record Keeping & Documentation
Financial Records
Maintain accurate financial records and bookkeeping
Ongoing requirement
Company Documents
Keep all company registration documents safe and accessible
Ongoing requirement
Employee Records
Maintain proper employee records and contracts
Ongoing requirement
Insurance Policies
Maintain appropriate business insurance coverage
Annual renewal
🔄 Ongoing Compliance Monitoring
Regular Compliance Reviews
Conduct quarterly compliance reviews
Every 3 months
Stay Updated on Regulations
Monitor changes in business regulations and requirements
Ongoing
Professional Advisory
Engage with compliance professionals for complex matters
As needed

SECA Compliance Blog - Your trusted partner for business compliance in South Africa

Visit: secacomplianceblog.co.za | Email: infor@secacomplianceblog.co.za | Phone: 0814421917

This checklist is for guidance purposes only. Always consult with qualified professionals for specific advice.

Back to Blog