Employing household staff in South Africa comes with real legal responsibilities—and as we move further into 2025, it’s clear that the systems used by COID (Compensation Fund), UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund), and SARS PAYE are becoming more linked, automated, and strictly enforced.
If you’re a domestic employer, here’s what you need to know—and why compliance is no longer optional.
⚖️ 1. COID: Protection for Injuries and Death on Duty
Since 2020, all domestic employers have been legally required to register for COID and submit a Return of Earnings (ROE) annually. COID provides cover for your employee in the event of an injury, illness, or death that occurs while working—and it also protects you from personal liability.
- The Return of Earnings for 2024 is due from 1 April 2025
- The annual assessment fee is small (currently 1.04% of total earnings)
- Failing to register or submit your ROE can lead to penalties or denied claims
2. UIF: Mandatory Monthly Contributions & Declarations
If your domestic worker works more than 24 hours per month, you are legally required to register them for UIF—this includes all roles such as nannies, live-in carers, au pairs, cleaners, and gardeners.
- ✅ A total of 2% of their salary must be contributed (1% by the employer, 1% deducted from the employee)
- You must submit monthly earnings declarations
- ⚠️ Missed declarations? You may owe UIF arrears—but we can help calculate and settle it
UIF protects your employee during maternity leave, illness, retrenchment or unemployment. And it protects you from non-compliance penalties.
3. PAYE: Do You Meet the Tax Threshold?
If your domestic worker earns more than R95,750 per year (or around R7,979 per month), you are required to:
- Register for PAYE with SARS
- Deduct PAYE monthly
- Submit EMP201 forms and pay SARS on time
Important: SARS, COID, and UIF databases are becoming integrated.
If your PAYE number isn’t linked correctly to your UIF profile, it may trigger audits or penalties.
Why This Matters More Than Ever in 2025
Gone are the days of “unofficial” employment arrangements. Government departments are becoming more connected and stricter about compliance.
Here’s what’s at stake if you don’t comply:
❌ Legal action or financial penalties
❌ Denied COID claims for injuries or death
❌ UIF claims rejected due to missing declarations
❌ Disputes at the CCMA without proper contracts, payslips or leave records
️ How Domestic Support Can Help
We’re here to make compliance easy. Whether you’re starting fresh or need help cleaning up the admin backlog, we’ve got you covered:
✅ UIF registration, arrears & monthly declarations
✅ PAYE registration & SARS guidance
✅ COID registration & annual ROE submissions
✅ Monthly payslips & payroll services
✅ Legally compliant employment contracts & job descriptions
✅ CCMA support, disciplinary guidance & record-keeping assistance
Need help? Let’s simplify your household employment responsibilities today.
071 894 5468
WhatsApp: 064 920 5392
info@domesticsupport.co.za
www.domesticsupport.co.za
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