Most small business compliance failures are not decisions. They are dates nobody diarised.
Annual, tied to your own dates
| Obligation | When |
|---|---|
| CIPC annual return | Within 30 business days of your registration anniversary |
| Beneficial ownership | Filed and kept current |
| Annual financial statements | Within six months of financial year end |
| Income tax return | Twelve months after financial year end |
| B-BBEE affidavit or certificate | Annually |
Recurring through the year
| Obligation | Frequency |
|---|---|
| VAT return | Usually every two months, if registered |
| PAYE, UIF and SDL (EMP201) | Monthly, by the 7th |
| Employer reconciliation (EMP501) | Twice yearly |
| Provisional tax | Twice yearly, plus optional third payment |
| Workmen’s compensation return | Annually |
If you bid for government work
- Tax compliance status — check monthly
- CSD record — confirm active quarterly
- B-BBEE affidavit — renew annually
- CIDB grading, where applicable — check expiry
- Letter of good standing — renew as required
How to actually keep up
Put every date in a calendar with a reminder 30 days before, not on the day. Renewals and filings take time, and a reminder on the deadline is a reminder you are already late.
The dates that catch people are the ones tied to your own registration and financial year end rather than a fixed national date. Nobody else is reminding you about those.
Need this filed without the admin?
Annual returns, beneficial ownership, director and address changes, registrations and reinstatements. Filed online, from R199.
General information, not legal or accounting advice. CIPC fees and requirements change. Confirm current details with CIPC before acting.