Blog - openHR

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Free Payroll Software South Africa: How openHR Empowers Small Businesses

Running a small business in South Africa comes with enough challenges - your payroll software shouldn’t be one of them. That’s where openHR steps in: a proudly South African, cloud-based payroll and HR platform offering a robust free plan designed to simplify compliance, reduce admin, and empower small teams to thrive. Let’s explore the free features included in openHR and how each one can make a tangible difference for small businesses. read more

Mandeni Blitz Exposes Child Labour

A Wake-Up Call for Compliance and Compassion In a late-night operation dubbed the “Dusk of Night” blitz, the Department of Employment and Labour, alongside SAPS and Home Affairs, raided two textile factories in Mandeni, KwaZulu-Natal. The results were chilling: 47 undocumented workers arrested, two employers detained, and a 14-year-old child found working under illegal conditions. This wasn’t just a labour violation - it was a mirror held up to the cracks in our current social systems. read more

October 29, 2025

True Empowerment Means Accessibility to Compliance Tools

In South Africa, compliance is often framed as a gate - something you pass through if you’re lucky, resourced, or well-connected. But what if compliance was a bridge instead? What if it was a scaffold that dignifies participation, rather than a barrier that filters it? At openHR, we believe that true empowerment begins with access. Not just access to funding or opportunity, but access to the tools that make participation possible. Payroll, contracts, UIF declarations, leave policies - these aren’t just admin tasks. They’re the rituals of legitimacy. And when those rituals are locked behind expensive software or opaque systems,... read more

October 20, 2025

When Is My Tax Return Due? 2025 Deadlines for Non-Provisional Taxpayers

South African taxpayers who aren’t classified as provisional have until 20 October 2025 to file their personal income tax returns. That’s the official SARS deadline - and it’s not just a date, it’s a diagnostic moment. If you haven’t been auto-assessed by SARS this year, this deadline applies to you. Auto-assessed taxpayers received their notices between 7-20 July, but if you didn’t get one, it’s your cue to log into SARS eFiling or the MobiApp and submit your ITR12 manually. read more

October 9, 2025

openHR's Most Advanced Payroll & HR Yet

The best free payroll software with HR in South Africa just got better. At openHR, we don’t just ship features - we ship dignity. The new upgrade is a quiet revolution for South African businesses, especially those navigating payroll and HR on tight budgets. Whether you manage two employees or two thousand, openHR now scales with sharper precision, smoother UX, and a touch of WhatsApp magic. read more

October 8, 2025

🧾 EMP501 Season: Interim Reconciliations open 22 September 2025

As the interim Employer Reconciliation window opens from 22 September to 31 October, openHR is here to help you navigate the SARS maze with clarity, speed, and zero fluff. read more

September 13, 2025

You Are HR-ing Wrong

This week, a leaked video from Stellenbosch Municipality surfaced, showing an HR manager allegedly advocating for hiring practices designed to make specific employees “uncomfortable enough to resign.” The fallout has been swift and polarised. But beneath the outrage lies a deeper systems failure - one that affects all staff, regardless of demographic. read more

September 3, 2025

⚖️ What Are Your Rights During a Department of Labour Compliance Blitz?

When the Department of Labour conducts a surprise inspection, it can feel like a raid. But employers have rights - and knowing them can make all the difference. read more

August 17, 2025

⚖️ Why openHR is free - and why dignity shouldn’t depend on your budget

When I was in Grade 2, I didn’t have propelling crayons. Not because I didn’t want them, but because we couldn’t afford them. My teacher made sure I felt that difference - publicly, repeatedly, and cruelly. She didn’t just mark my work. She marked me. That experience stayed with me. Not as bitterness, but as a blueprint for what not to do. read more

August 15, 2025

⚖️ Compliance Blitz: South Africa’s Labour Inspections

In recent months, the Department of Employment and Labour has intensified its nationwide blitz inspections — and the results are sobering. From underpayment of wages to unsafe working conditions, nearly half of the 2,700 companies inspected were found to be non-compliant. Over R10 million in monetary corrections have been enforced, and 81 undocumented workers were arrested. read more

August 13, 2025

🛡️ How to Survive Tariffs Like Trump Survived an Assassination: A Guide for South African Employers

In July 2024, former U.S. President Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally — a moment that stunned the world and underscored his reputation for defiance under pressure. Now, in 2025, his sweeping tariff policies are shaking global markets and forcing employers to rethink sustainability, staffing, and cost control. For South African businesses, especially those exporting to the U.S. or relying on global supply chains, Trump’s tariffs — ranging from 15% to 30% on African exports — are more than political posturing. They’re a direct hit to profitability, employment, and long-term planning. read more

August 2, 2025

🕒 Deadline Drama: Why Late Submissions Cost More Than Just Penalties

In the world of payroll compliance, deadlines aren’t just dates - they’re dominoes. Miss one, and the ripple effect can hit your finances, your reputation, and your peace of mind. Let’s unpack the real cost of missing key submissions like EMP201, ROE, and PAIA, and how openHR helps you stay ahead - not by nagging, but by making oversight harder to miss. read more

July 28, 2025

I Received My SARS Auto Assessment - What Now?

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has officially kicked off the 2025 tax season early with a streamlined auto assessment process, now extended to include some provisional taxpayers. If you’ve received an SMS or email from SARS, it means your tax return has been pre-populated using third-party data - saving you time and effort. But what happens next depends on your situation. read more

July 5, 2025

Unlimited Leave Isn’t Always a Win: Lessons from Bolt’s Pivot

In a bold move that’s sparking HR conversations across industries, Bolt CEO Ryan Breslow recently ended the company’s unlimited paid time off (PTO) policy. What many hailed as a progressive benefit now finds itself under scrutiny - not because it lacked generosity, but because it lacked accountability. read more

July 3, 2025

Post Jobs for Free - openHR's Onboarding Module

At openHR, we believe employment should be affordable, accessible, and inclusive - especially in South Africa, where every new job created can change a life. That’s why our HR and payroll platform has always been 100% free. No trials. No limits. No catches. Today, we’re thrilled to take that mission even further with the launch of our Onboarding Module, featuring one of our most exciting updates yet: The ability to post job ads publicly on openHR - completely free. Yes, you read that right. You can now advertise job openings across South Africa with zero cost, zero paperwork, and zero... read more

June 28, 2025

What Every South African Employee Should Know About UIF and How Employers Can Help

Understanding the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) can be empowering, especially during uncertain times. Whether you're an employer guiding your team or an employee seeking clarity, knowing how UIF works - and what your rights and responsibilities are - can make all the difference. read more

June 23, 2025

June 2025 EMP201/PAYE Return Due Date

EMP201/PAYE Return Submission & Payment Deadline for June 2025 The deadline to submit and pay your EMP201/PAYE return for June 2025 is Monday, the 7th of July 2025. This aligns with SARS’s standard rule: the due date is the 7th of the following month—unless that day falls on a weekend or public holiday, in which case it rolls to the last business day before the 7th. To avoid any penalties or interest (which can include a 10% late payment penalty and additional monthly interest charges), be sure to file and pay on time. read more

June 19, 2025

How Skills Development Levy (SDL) Is Calculated

The Skills Development Levy (SDL) is a mandatory contribution by employers in South Africa, aimed at funding education and training initiatives to enhance workforce skills. It is governed by the Skills Development Levies Act No. 9 of 1999 and administered by the South African Revenue Service (SARS). read more

June 17, 2025

When is my 2025 tax return due?

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has officially announced the filing dates for the 2025 tax season, and it’s essential for taxpayers to stay ahead of these deadlines. Understanding these dates will help ensure compliance and avoid unnecessary penalties. read more

June 4, 2025

When is the EMP201/PAYE Return Deadline for May 2025?

EMP201/PAYE Return Submission & Payment Deadline for May 2025 The deadline to submit and pay your EMP201/PAYE return for May 2025 is Friday, the 6th of June 2025. Usually, the 7th of each following month, however, if the 7th falls on a weekend or public holiday, the deadline moves to the last business day before the 7th. Late submissions can result in 10% penalties and interest, so it's best to file early. read more

May 29, 2025

SARS Strengthens PAYE Compliance with 500 New Hires

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is making bold moves to tighten PAYE compliance, hiring 500 new staff members as part of a broader effort to recover billions in unpaid taxes. This initiative is not just about revenue collection—it’s about reinforcing accountability and ensuring businesses meet their tax obligations. read more

May 27, 2025