What does being late cost?
What a late tax return, late tax payment, late CIPC annual return or late COIDA return costs, month by month: SARS fixed penalties, the 10% penalty and interest, CIPC late fees. Free.
The rules in short
- Late return: a fixed penalty every month, from R250 to R16 000 depending on your taxable income, for up to 35 months.
- Late payment: a 10% penalty plus interest at 10,5% a year (from 1 September 2026).
- CIPC: a higher fee for a late annual return; two outstanding returns start deregistration.
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General guidance only, not legal, tax or compliance advice. Requirements, fees and processes change: confirm each item with the official body before you act. SignalLedger is an independent private platform, not a government website. Checked 19 October 2026. How we check our information.