As payroll administrators ourselves, we encounter a few frequently asked questions that employers, business owners or those responsible for payroll administration within organisations struggle with.  Below we have a detailed answer for you on these burning questions you are facing.  We hope that you find them insightful.

1. Question: At what stage is an employer required to register for PAYE and UIF with the South African Revenue Service?

Answer: An employer is required to register for PAYE and UIF the moment he/she employs an employee whose salary exceeds the tax threshold.  For the 2020 tax year, this threshold is R 79 000 per annum.

2. Question: If an employer is already registered with SARS for UIF, does the employer also have to register with the Department of Labour for UIF purposes?

Answer: Yes. Although UIF payments are made to SARS and not to the Department of Labour, UIF Registration with the Department of Labour still needs to be completed and a UI19 form, in which the employer declares the amounts paid over to SARS, must be submitted monthly.  The UI19 form can be submitted via e-mail.

3. Question: At what stage is an employer required to register for SDL (Skills Development Levy) with SARS?

Answer:  An employer is required to register for SDL as soon as the total gross salaries of the organisation (all employees’ salaries) for any 12-month period exceeds R 500 000. Please note that SDL can only be claimed back for training provided from the relevant SETA to which the organisation belongs when the total salaries exceed R 500 000.

4. Question: I have submitted my W.As. 8 return to the Department of Labour but didn’t receive my W.As. 6 assessment. Why is this happening?

Answer: In most cases where this happens, we find that the e-mail address of the company is completed incorrectly on the return. For many organisations, this has resulted in significant amounts of interest incurred on these amounts.  The original returns are no longer sent to organisations via post and are only sent via e-mail.

This article is a general information sheet and should not be used or relied upon as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact your financial adviser for specific and detailed advice.  Errors and omissions excepted (E&OE)