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Latest Post

đź’°Free Salary Advance Management That Keeps You Compliant

Managing salary advances or employee loans can quickly become a compliance headache. Labour law requires that any deduction from an employee’s pay must be in writing and signed by the employee. For many businesses, this means juggling paperwork, tracking repayment schedules, and hoping nothing slips through the cracks. read more


openHR free payroll and HR
🛡️ Free Disciplinary Code & Warning Register in openHR

Running a business isn’t just about payroll and compliance - it’s also about maintaining a fair, respectful workplace. That’s why openHR includes a built‑in disciplinary code and transgression register, completely free for every user. Making issuing employee warnings for free as simple as a few clicks. read more

July 21, 2026

openHR free payroll and HR
📲 openHR is Ready for WhatsApp Usernames

WhatsApp Business usernames are finally opening for registration - and openHR is ready. For employees, usernames mean no more random numbers: finding HR self-service is as simple as searching for openHR. It’s clean, official, and instantly recognisable. read more

July 11, 2026

openHR free payroll and HR
How to Deal with a Demotion: An Employer’s Guide

Recent headlines remind us that demotion isn’t just a political reality - it happens in workplaces too. For employers, handling a demotion is one of the most delicate stewardship tasks you’ll face. Done poorly, it can damage morale, trust, and retention. Done well, it can become a turning point for growth and integrity. read more

July 1, 2026

openHR free payroll and HR
🚨 Watch Out for Quick AI‑Generated “Payroll Apps”

In recent months, we’ve seen a wave of new payroll apps appear, many of them clearly spun up with the help of AI coding tools. They look slick, promise simplicity, and often claim “SARS compliance.” But here’s the truth: payroll compliance isn’t something you can generate with an AI prompt by companies out to just make a quick buck. read more

June 19, 2026

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When is my tax return due for 2026?

 SARS has officially published the deadlines for the 2026 year of assessment in Government Gazette No. 54598 (Notice 7422, 30 April 2026). What you need to know. read more

May 5, 2026

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🚀 Orbital Data Centers: Can Laws Keep Up With Tech?

SpaceX and other players are floating the idea of data centers in orbit - promising abundant solar power, reduced cooling environmental and economic costs, and a futuristic edge for AI workloads. But before we get swept up in the vision, we need to ask: can users truly trust their data when it’s stored beyond Earth’s borders? read more

May 5, 2026

openHR free payroll and HR
Why openHR Doesn’t Do Referral Kickbacks

At openHR, our mission is simple: to provide South African businesses with no‑cost and low‑cost HR and payroll solutions. That’s the whole point. From that starting line, it makes no financial - or ethical - sense to dangle referral incentives. Our goal isn’t to squeeze margins; it’s to empower businesses. read more

May 2, 2026

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Compliance Deadlines & System Updates

With openHR at your side, compliance season becomes simpler: our platform keeps you on track with upcoming statutory returns so you can focus on your business, not the paperwork. read more

April 15, 2026

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Strengthening openHR for a Faster, Safer Experience

This Easter weekend brought a wave of improvements to openHR, all focused on reliability, speed, and user trust. read more

April 6, 2026

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Easter Weekend & Compliance Season

Key April Submissions for South African Businesses As Easter ushers in a season of renewal, it also marks the start of an important compliance cycle for South African businesses. From 1 April 2026, several statutory submissions open, and staying ahead ensures smooth operations and avoids penalties. read more

April 1, 2026

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When is the PAYE Reconciliation Due in 2026?

Every year, South African employers must complete their PAYE Employer Reconciliation (EMP501) to ensure that employee tax certificates and SARS records align. Missing the deadline can mean penalties, interest, and unnecessary stress. read more

March 9, 2026

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NBCPSS 2026/2027 Rates

🛡️Summary for the Security Industry The National Bargaining Council for the Private Security Sector (NBCPSS) operates on a multi‑year agreement, meaning wage structures and benefits are set well in advance. As we enter the 2026/2027 year, the agreed rates and allowances for security officers and related positions continue to apply across South Africa. read more

March 1, 2026

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South Africa Tax Pocket Guide 2026/2027

Every February, South Africa’s Budget Speech reshapes the financial landscape for businesses and employees alike. This year’s announcements brought some of the most significant changes in over a decade - from turnover tax brackets to VAT thresholds - and we know how overwhelming it can be to keep track of them all. read more

February 25, 2026

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Micro Businesses: Turnover Tax Brackets 2026

Today’s 2026 National Budget Speech delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana includes excellent news for South Africa’s micro businesses. The Turnover Tax regime has received its biggest overhaul in years – with a huge jump in the brackets and a massive increase in the qualifying turnover limit. read more

February 25, 2026

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VAT Threshold 2026 for South Africa

Today’s 2026 National Budget Speech delivered by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana brings excellent news for South Africa’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The compulsory VAT registration threshold has been raised from R1 million to R2.3 million. This is the first adjustment to the threshold since 2009. For 17 years, inflation pushed many growing businesses over the old limit without a corresponding increase in real profitability. The new R2.3 million threshold finally catches up with the cost of doing business and delivers meaningful relief. read more

February 25, 2026

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Introducing the New Statutory Calculation Engine

As openHR continues to grow, we’re committed to keeping payroll fast, accurate, and resilient. With the start of the new tax year, we’ve upgraded all users to our new Statutory Calculation Engine. read more

February 19, 2026

openHR free payroll and HR
It’s Time to Retire SARS Tax Deduction Tables

For decades, SARS has published tax deduction tables as a quick reference for employers. They were designed for a time when payroll was manual, calculators were scarce, and employers needed a simple way to estimate deductions. In 2026, however, these tables have become more of a liability than a lifeline. read more

February 13, 2026

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Most Affordable Payroll Software in South Africa

Why Affordability Matters Payroll is one of the most critical functions for any business in South Africa. With SARS compliance, UIF contributions, and leave management requirements, the wrong choice can lead to penalties or frustrated employees. Did you know that South Africa has one of the world's highest SMME failure rates, with 70-80% failing within five years, often due to challenges like regulatory compliance and administrative costs? For small businesses, affordability isn’t just about saving money - it’s about sustainability and growth. That's where true affordability comes in, especially with free payroll software options tailored for South African SMEs. read more

February 5, 2026

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Minimum Wage 2026

In a move aimed at supporting low-income workers amid ongoing economic pressures, Employment and Labour Minister Nomakhosazana Meth has announced the new National Minimum Wage (NMW) for 2026. Effective from March 1, 2026, the NMW will increase from R28.79 to R30.23 per ordinary hour worked - a rise of R1.44, or 5%. This adjustment aligns with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of 3.5% plus an additional 1.5 percentage points, as recommended by the National Minimum Wage Commission. read more

February 4, 2026

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When is the Budget Speech for 2026?

Every February, South Africans tune in to hear the Finance Minister’s Budget Speech - a moment that sets the tone for the country’s economic year and adjustments to tax rates which directly affect employees. For 2026, mark your calendars: Wednesday, 25 February 2026 is the date when Minister Enoch Godongwana will present the nation’s financial roadmap. read more

January 30, 2026