Plain-English guides to South African VAT and payroll taxes — written for business owners and finance teams.
The dates South African businesses work to — with a guide for each.
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 7th of each month | EMP201: PAYE, UIF and SDL |
| 25th after each VAT period | VAT201 (last business day of the month on eFiling) |
| September–October and April–May | EMP501 reconciliations and IRP5 certificates |
| Within 21 business days of passing R2.3 million | Register for VAT |
Start with the tax and payroll calendar. Last reviewed October 2026. Tax and payroll content is general information — confirm your position with SARS, the Department of Employment and Labour or a registered tax practitioner.