South Africa’s 2026 Compliance Calendar

11 Dec 2025
In the world of legacy-aware stewardship, statutory compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes - it’s about preserving dignity, clarity, and resilience. At openHR, we treat each deadline as a diagnostic event: a moment to reaffirm transparency, not scramble for survival.
Here’s your 2026 roadmap for statutory rituals that matter:

🧾 SARS & Tax Compliance

  • February 2026 – Second provisional tax return for 2026
  • July 2026 – Annual income tax returns for 2026
  • August 2026 – First provisional tax return for 2027
  • Tax Clearance Certificate – Expires 12 months after issue
  • VAT returns – Due by the 25th or last business day of the month

🧮 Payroll & HR Rituals

  • April–May 2026 – EMP501 year-end reconciliations
  • April 2026 – COIDA returns and payments (Don’t forget to download your Letter of Good Standing)
  • September–October 2026 – EMP501 mid-year reconciliations for 2027
  • Monthly EMP201 submissions – Due by the 7th of the next month or last business day before

🏢 CIPC & Entity Governance

  • April 2026 – Information Regulator returns via CIPC
  • CIPC Annual Returns – Due on your registration anniversary
  • Beneficial Ownership Return – Filed with your annual return
  • BEE Certificate Renewal – Every 12 months from last issue date

✨ Closing Thought

Compliance isn’t a burden - it’s a rhythm. With openHR, each statutory date becomes a moment of clarity, not confusion. SMEs deserve systems that dignify their stewardship, not punish their growth.

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