Payroll Services Durban covers running the payroll and the statutory submissions behind it: payslips, PAYE, UIF and SDL calculations, EMP201 monthly returns, EMP501 reconciliations and IRP5 certificates.
Outsourcing payroll is often about confidentiality as much as cost. Salary information stays outside the office.
Your headcount, pay frequency, whether you have a bargaining council and your current payroll software.
Get Quotes From Accountants in DurbanWhat A Payroll Service Covers
| Item | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Payslip processing and distribution | Each pay run |
| PAYE, UIF and SDL calculation | Each pay run |
| EMP201 submission and payment file | Monthly, by the 7th |
| UIF declaration to the Department of Employment and Labour | Monthly |
| EMP501 reconciliation | Interim by 31 October, annual by 31 May |
| IRP5 and IT3(a) certificates | Annually |
| Leave and payroll journal to the ledger | Monthly |
| COIDA return of earnings | Annually |
| Bargaining council returns where applicable | Monthly |
Statutory Deadlines
- EMP201. By the 7th of the following month, with payment.
- UIF declaration. Monthly to the Department of Employment and Labour, separate from the SARS submission.
- EMP501 interim. By 31 October, covering March to August.
- EMP501 annual. By 31 May, covering the full tax year, with IRP5 certificates issued to employees.
- COIDA return of earnings. Annually, to keep the Letter of Good Standing current.
Late EMP201 submissions attract a 10% penalty plus interest. Late or incorrect EMP501 reconciliations cause IRP5 mismatches that show up in your employees' tax returns.
What To Check Before Appointing
- Confirm who submits and who pays. Many providers prepare the EMP201 but leave the payment to you. Late payment is still your penalty.
- Ask about bargaining councils. Metal, motor, building and road freight councils have their own returns and rates, and Durban has plenty of employers in each.
- Check the software. SimplePay, PaySpace, Sage and Payroll by Xero are common. Hold the subscription in your own name where you can.
- Confirm POPIA handling. Payroll data is among the most sensitive information you hold.
- Agree the cut-off date. When variable inputs must reach the provider each month, and what happens if they are late.
Payroll is normally bought alongside bookkeeping so the journals post cleanly. See Accountants Durban for firms offering both.
Payroll Services Durban Prices
Indicative Durban ranges, excluding VAT.
| Service | Indicative range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Per payslip | R90 - R220 per employee per month | Falls with headcount |
| Minimum monthly fee | R850 - R1,800 | Most firms apply one |
| 1 - 5 employees | R850 - R1,800 per month | Including EMP201 |
| 6 - 20 employees | R1,800 - R4,500 per month | Including EMP201 |
| 21 - 50 employees | R4,500 - R9,500 per month | Including EMP201 |
| 51 - 150 employees | R9,500 - R25,000 per month | Including EMP201 |
| EMP501 reconciliation | R1,800 - R6,500 per submission | Twice a year |
| Payroll setup and migration | R3,500 - R18,000 once-off | Including take-on balances |
| Weekly or fortnightly payroll | Add 30% - 60% | More runs, more cost |
| UIF and COIDA registration | R1,200 - R4,000 | Once-off per registration |
Indicative Durban ranges, not a quotation. Weekly pay cycles, bargaining council returns, shift and overtime calculations and multiple pay points all increase the fee.
Send your headcount and pay frequency, and compare per-payslip pricing.
Compare Payroll ProvidersFrequently Asked Questions
How much does payroll cost per employee in Durban?
Typically R90 to R220 per payslip per month excluding VAT, with most firms applying a minimum monthly fee of R850 to R1,800. The rate per employee drops as headcount rises.
When is EMP201 due?
By the 7th of the month following the month in which the remuneration was paid. If the 7th falls on a weekend or public holiday, it is due on the last business day before it.
When are EMP501 reconciliations due?
The interim reconciliation covering March to August is due by 31 October, and the annual reconciliation covering the full tax year is due by 31 May.
What are the UIF and SDL rates?
UIF is 1% from the employee and 1% from the employer, subject to the earnings ceiling. SDL is 1% of total remuneration, and employers with annual payroll of R500,000 or less are exempt.
Do I need to register for COIDA?
Yes. Every employer must register with the Compensation Fund and submit an annual return of earnings. It is separate from UIF and from SARS, and a Letter of Good Standing is often required for tenders and site access.
Related Accounting Services in Durban
Accountants Durban is a free quote-comparison service. The accounting, tax and audit work is carried out by the independent firms and practitioners that quote you, and your engagement is with the firm you appoint. Ask each firm for its registration details, professional body membership and a written engagement letter before appointing anyone.
Payroll Services Durban. Compare per-payslip payroll pricing from providers covering Durban.
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