South African Tax & Regulatory Deadlines (Weekend-adjusted)
This calendar provides a practical overview of key SARS and CIPC deadlines for 2026. Dates below have been adjusted when they fall on a weekend (moved to the previous Friday). Public holidays can also affect due dates—when in doubt, confirm the final due date on SARS eFiling or with our office.
Monthly Deadlines
EMP201 (PAYE, SDL, UIF)
Due by the 7th of each month (for the previous month). If the 7th falls on a weekend/public holiday, the deadline is the last business day before.
VAT201 (VAT return & payment)
- Manual submissions: due by the 25th (if weekend/public holiday → previous business day)
- eFiling submissions: due on the last business day of the month
2026 Monthly Due Dates
| Month | EMP201 Due | VAT201 Manual Due | VAT201 eFiling Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2026 | 7 Jan 2026 | 23 Jan 2026 | 30 Jan 2026 |
| February 2026 | 6 Feb 2026 | 25 Feb 2026 | 27 Feb 2026 |
| March 2026 | 6 Mar 2026 | 25 Mar 2026 | 31 Mar 2026 |
| April 2026 | 7 Apr 2026 | 24 Apr 2026 | 30 Apr 2026 |
| May 2026 | 7 May 2026 | 25 May 2026 | 29 May 2026 |
| June 2026 | 5 Jun 2026 | 25 Jun 2026 | 30 Jun 2026 |
| July 2026 | 7 Jul 2026 | 24 Jul 2026 | 31 Jul 2026 |
| August 2026 | 7 Aug 2026 | 25 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 |
| September 2026 | 7 Sep 2026 | 25 Sep 2026 | 30 Sep 2026 |
| October 2026 | 7 Oct 2026 | 23 Oct 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 |
| November 2026 | 6 Nov 2026 | 25 Nov 2026 | 30 Nov 2026 |
| December 2026 | 7 Dec 2026 | 25 Dec 2026 | 31 Dec 2026 |
Note: Not all VAT vendors submit every month—VAT is filed according to the vendor’s allocated VAT cycle. The date rules above still apply.
Provisional Tax Key Dates (Common Individual/Trust Year: 1 March – end February)
Second Provisional Payment (IRP6)
- 28 Feb 2026 falls on a Saturday → Due Friday, 27 Feb 2026
First Provisional Payment (Next Tax Year)
- 31 Aug 2026 (if it falls on a weekend/public holiday, it moves to the previous business day)
Third (Voluntary / Top-Up) Payment
A third voluntary payment may be made to reduce interest exposure (timing depends on taxpayer type and circumstances). If you’re unsure, contact our office for guidance.
Employer Reconciliations (EMP501 + IRP5/IT3(a))
These are submission windows (not single dates). We recommend setting reminders for both the opening and the final week:
- Annual EMP501 window: 1 April – 31 May 2026
- Interim EMP501 window: 21 September – 31 October 2026
Company Income Tax (ITR14)
- ITR14 due: generally within 12 months after the company’s financial year-end
(This is company-specific—contact us if you want the due date calculated for your business.)
CIPC Annual Returns (Company/CC Compliance)
CIPC annual return due periods depend on the entity type and incorporation anniversary:
- Companies: generally due within 30 business days of becoming due (based on anniversary)
- Close Corporations: due from the first day of the anniversary month until the end of the following month
CIPC may also require current Beneficial Ownership information and applicable financial statements.
Need Help Staying Compliant?
If you would like assistance with PAYE, VAT, provisional tax, EMP501 reconciliations, ITR14 submissions, or CIPC compliance, contact Zwarts Accounting Services for professional support.
