Frequently asked questions.
General answers on tax, accounting, payroll, and expat tax residency. For advice specific to your situation, get in touch directly.
About working with us.
Do I need to register for VAT as a small business in South Africa?
VAT registration is compulsory once your taxable supplies exceed R1 million in any consecutive 12-month period, and optional (voluntary) from R50,000. We assess your specific turnover and business model before recommending registration timing.
How do I know if I've ceased South African tax residency?
SARS applies an ordinarily-resident test and, failing that, a physical-presence test. Ceasing tax residency has capital gains implications under section 9H of the Income Tax Act and must be formally declared to SARS — it does not happen automatically just because you've relocated. Our expat tax service covers this assessment in detail.
Can you take over from my current accountant or bookkeeper mid-year?
Yes. We regularly onboard clients mid-financial-year or mid-tax-year, and reconcile prior submissions as part of onboarding to make sure nothing was missed before we took over.
Do you only work with businesses in Cape Town?
No. We're based in Table View, Cape Town, but work with clients across South Africa and with South Africans living abroad — everything is handled remotely by email, phone, and WhatsApp alongside in-person meetings for local clients.
Who actually handles my work — you, or a team member?
Every engagement is reviewed and signed off personally by the principal practitioner. There's no account handoff to junior staff or a call centre.
How is my personal and financial information protected?
All client information is handled in accordance with POPIA. See our Privacy Policy for full detail on what we collect, why, and who it may be shared with (SARS, CIPC, and other regulators, where required for your engagement).
What does a monthly retainer actually include?
It depends on the package, but generally covers the relevant statutory compliance (SARS, CIPC, or Labour), ongoing bookkeeping or payroll processing, and our availability for queries — see our Pricing page for the full fee schedule and what's included at each tier.
Tax & Statutory Compliance →
What if I'm already behind on my tax filings?
We regularly bring clients up to date with SARS — outstanding returns, penalties, and disputes included. The sooner we start, the less it costs you in interest and penalties.
Do you deal directly with SARS?
Yes. As a SARS registered tax practitioner (PR-0101146), I correspond, submit, and resolve disputes with SARS directly on your behalf.
Accounting & Financial Reporting →
Do I need to switch accounting software?
No — we work with most major platforms, or can set you up on one if you don't have one yet.
How often will I actually see my numbers?
Monthly, as standard. You'll never be more than a month behind on knowing where your business stands.
Payroll Administration →
How many employees do I need to have to use this service?
There's no minimum — we run payroll for sole employers with one staff member up to small teams.
Can you take over payroll mid tax-year?
Yes, we regularly take over payroll administration mid-year and reconcile prior submissions to make sure nothing is missed.