Blog & Insights

Accounting & tax insights for South African business owners

Plain-English guides to tax, bookkeeping, compliance, and financial management — written by our team of SAIPA-registered accountants and Xero Certified Advisors.

Articles & guides

SARSIndividual Tax

SARS Sent Me an Auto-Assessment — What Do I Do?

SARS auto-assessments are pre-populated returns that can contain costly errors. Here's how to review yours, what's commonly missing, and when to call in a tax practitioner.

Grant Jolliffe · June 2026 · ~6 min
VATTax Compliance

VAT Registration in South Africa: When Do You Have to Register — and Should You?

VAT registration is compulsory at R2.3 million in taxable supplies. Voluntary registration from R120 000 can make sense for B2B businesses. Here's how to decide.

Grant Jolliffe · June 2026 · ~7 min
AccountingPractice Management

How to Switch Accountants in South Africa — Without the Drama

You can change accountants at any time — there's no legal lock-in. Here's what your current accountant must hand over and how to make the transition smoothly.

Grant Jolliffe · June 2026 · ~7 min
Business RegistrationBusiness Advice

Sole Proprietor vs Private Company in South Africa — Which Is Right?

Comparing sole proprietorships and private companies — tax rates, liability, admin burden, and when each structure makes sense for your business.

Grant Jolliffe · June 2026 · ~8 min
AccountingCash Flow

Why Your Bank Balance and Your Profit Aren't the Same Thing

Your bank balance does not tell you whether the business is profitable — and confusing the two leads to tax surprises. Here's why the numbers differ.

Grant Jolliffe · June 2026 · ~5 min
Tax CompliancePayroll

The EMP201 Deadline Is Not Optional — What Happens If You Miss It

Miss the 7th and SARS charges 10% immediately, plus compounding interest. Here's everything you need to know about the monthly PAYE deadline.

Grant Jolliffe · June 2026 · ~6 min
Cash FlowBudgeting

A Simple 12-Week Cash Flow Forecast Any Small Business Can Build

A 12-week forecast tells you when you'll run out of cash before it happens. Here's how to build one in 30 minutes — no accounting knowledge required.

Grant Jolliffe · June 2026 · ~6 min
XeroCloud Accounting

Switching to Xero From Manual Bookkeeping: What the First 30 Days Actually Look Like

The first two weeks feel slower than the old system. By week four, most business owners wonder why they didn't switch sooner. An honest account of the transition.

Grant Jolliffe · June 2026 · ~7 min
Year-EndTax Compliance

Your Year-End Checklist: 8 Things to Do Before Your Financial Year Closes

Once your financial year closes, the planning opportunities inside it are gone. Here are 8 things to work through before that date arrives.

Grant Jolliffe · June 2026 · ~7 min
RetirementIndividual Tax

The Two-Pot Retirement System — What It Is and What It Costs in Tax

South Africa's two-pot retirement system lets you access part of your savings early — but withdrawals are taxed as income. Here's what that means.

Grant Jolliffe · June 2026 · ~8 min
Tax TypesIndividual Tax

Mastering Your Taxes: A Beginner's Guide to Income Tax in South Africa

A beginner's guide to income tax in South Africa — 2025/26 thresholds, who must file, when to file, and deductions you can claim back.

Grant Jolliffe · June 2026 · ~5 min
Real EstateTaxation

Non-Residents & Property Investment in South Africa: Tax and Legal Guide

Tax and legal implications for non-residents purchasing property in South Africa — exchange control, CGT, income tax, and withholding tax explained.

Grant Jolliffe · May 2026 · ~7 min
Accounting ServicesFinancial Assurance

Compilation, Independent Review, or Audit: Which Does Your Business Need?

A plain-English guide to compilation engagements, independent reviews, and audits — what each involves and which applies to your South African business.

Grant Jolliffe · April 2026 · ~6 min
Provisional TaxTax Compliance

Everything You Need to Know About Provisional Tax for Companies in SA

Who must register, how to calculate provisional tax, a worked example, and how the 20% under-estimation penalty applies.

Grant Jolliffe · February 2026 · ~6 min
XeroCloud Accounting

Choosing the Best Cloud Accounting App for Your South African Business

Comparing Xero, Sage, QuickBooks, FreshBooks, and Wave for South African businesses — features, pricing, and which platform we recommend.

Grant Jolliffe · November 2025 · ~5 min
Future PlanningIndividual Tax

Tax-Free Savings Accounts in South Africa: The Complete Guide

Annual and lifetime contribution limits, tax-free growth, withdrawal rules, penalties, and how to report your TFSA on your annual tax return.

Grant Jolliffe · November 2025 · ~5 min
XeroCloud Accounting

7 Ways to Make the Most of Xero for Your Small Business

Practical tips for getting more value from Xero — bank feeds, invoicing, expense tracking, reporting, and the Xero app marketplace.

Grant Jolliffe · September 2025 · ~5 min
Tax TypesMicro Business

Turnover Tax in South Africa: What It Is and Are You Eligible?

A guide to turnover tax for micro businesses — eligibility criteria, 2025/26 tax rates, and how to register and submit returns.

Grant Jolliffe · August 2025 · ~6 min
Cash FlowBusiness Finance

The Importance of Cash Flow in Any Business

Why cash flow management is critical for South African businesses, and practical steps to improve it using Xero and proper financial planning.

Grant Jolliffe · August 2025 · ~5 min
BookkeepingBusiness Management

7 Signs You Should Outsource Your Bookkeeping

Seven criteria that indicate it's time to outsource bookkeeping — accuracy, cost savings, stress reduction, and why professional bookkeeping pays for itself.

Grant Jolliffe · August 2025 · ~5 min

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