South African business compliance guides

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10 step-by-step guides to the registrations, certificates and returns South African businesses must keep up to date, grouped by the body you deal with. Each one shows what it costs, how long it takes, how to fix common problems, and when we last checked it.

CIPCSARSNational TreasuryB-BBEE (DTIC)Compensation Fund

Not sure where to start? Follow a checklist: win tenders, hire staff or keep your company in good standing.

CIPC

Companies and Intellectual Property Commission. Company records, annual returns and beneficial ownership.

How to file your CIPC annual returnR100 to R4,000 · 30 business daysEvery company and close corporation must file a CIPC annual return each year, even if dormant. Companies file within 30 business days after their registration anniversary. Close corporations file from the start of the anniversary month to the end of the next month. Fees run from R100 to R4,000, and your beneficial ownership must be current first.How to file beneficial ownership with CIPC5% or more · 10 business daysEvery company and close corporation (co-operatives excluded) must file its beneficial owners with CIPC on eServices. A beneficial owner is a natural person who ultimately owns or controls the company, with 5% or more shown. File within 10 business days of registration and of any change, and update it with each annual return.

SARS

South African Revenue Service. Tax compliance status and tax registrations.

How to get your SARS tax clearance certificate (TCS PIN)No SARS fee · InstantSARS no longer issues a paper tax clearance certificate. It issues a Tax Compliance Status (TCS) PIN instead. Log in to eFiling, open My Compliance Profile, request the Good Standing type and submit. If your tax affairs are in order, SARS issues the PIN immediately. There is no SARS fee.

National Treasury

Central Supplier Database (CSD). Supplier registration for government work.

How to register on the CSD: requirements and stepsFree · MAAA numberCSD registration is free and done online at csd.gov.za. You need your company or ID number, tax details, a SARS tax compliance PIN, bank details, directors' details and proof of address. After you submit, the system verifies you against SARS and CIPC and issues a supplier number starting with MAAA.How to download your CSD report (summary report)MAAA · Verified onlyTo get your CSD report, log in to the Central Supplier Database, open Reports, choose Registration Summary, and enter your supplier number and registration reference number. Your supplier number starts with MAAA. The report shows only information that was submitted and verified: tax, bank, directors and B-BBEE. Save or print it for tenders.CSD login problems: how to fix themcsd.gov.za · Your emailnoredtape is not the CSD. Log in only at csd.gov.za, using the email address you registered with. To reset a forgotten password, choose Forgot Password, enter that email, open the reset email, set a new password and enter the OTP sent by SMS to your registered cellphone number.

B-BBEE (DTIC)

B-BBEE affidavits and certificates. Proving your B-BBEE level for tenders and clients.

How to do a B-BBEE affidavit (EME and QSE)Free · R10m and R50mA B-BBEE affidavit is a sworn statement, signed before an independent commissioner of oaths, that proves your level without a paid certificate. EMEs (turnover up to R10 million) and QSEs (R10 million to R50 million, at least 51% black-owned) can use the free dtic template. It is valid for 12 months from the commissioner's date.

Compensation Fund

COIDA, return of earnings and letters of good standing. Injury-on-duty cover for employees.

How to get and verify a Department of Labour letter of good standingNo fee · DaysA COIDA letter of good standing is issued by the Compensation Fund, part of the Department of Employment and Labour. To get one, register with the Fund, file your return of earnings (ROE), then pay the assessment or keep an instalment arrangement up to date. You download the letter from the Fund's online system.How to submit your Return of Earnings (ROE) online1 Apr to 30 Jun · Up to 10%Submit your annual Return of Earnings (ROE) online at cfonline.labour.gov.za. Declare what you paid employees from 1 March to the end of February. The 2026 season ran from 1 April to 30 June 2026 and has closed. Late returns can attract a penalty of up to 10%. Pay the assessment within 30 days of the invoice.How to register for COIDA (workmen's compensation)No fee · 7 daysCOIDA is the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, South Africa's workmen's compensation law. If you employ anyone, including a domestic worker, you must register with the Compensation Fund, online at cfonline.labour.gov.za or on form W.As.2. There is no registration fee we could find. You then pay an annual assessment based on your payroll.