Fast and Hassle-Free Return of Earnings Submission Services
Return of Earnings (ROE) Submission South Africa
Need to submit your Return of Earnings (ROE) to the Compensation Fund? Sacorpreg assists businesses across South Africa with accurate and timely Return of Earnings submissions to ensure ongoing COIDA compliance and maintain eligibility for a Letter of Good Standing.
Trusted Business Experts, SAIT, SAIBA & CIMA affiliated professionals, and SARS-registered Tax Practitioners
What is a Return of Earnings?
A Return of Earnings (ROE) is an annual declaration submitted to the Compensation Fund by employers registered under the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA). The purpose of the submission is to provide the Compensation Fund with details regarding employee earnings paid during the previous financial period as well as projected earnings for the upcoming period.
The Compensation Fund uses this information to calculate the assessment fees payable by employers. These assessments contribute to the fund that provides compensation to employees who suffer workplace injuries, occupational illnesses, or work-related disabilities.
Submitting a Return of Earnings is a legal obligation for registered employers and forms an essential part of maintaining compliance with COIDA regulations.
Requirements for Return of Earnings Submission
To complete your Return of Earnings submission, we generally require your Compensation Fund registration number, business information, and details regarding employee earnings for the applicable reporting period.
Our team will guide you through the requirements and advise you on the information needed to complete the submission accurately. We handle the paperwork and submission process on your behalf, making compliance simple and stress-free.
We Handle the Process for You
Many business owners struggle with Return of Earnings submissions because they are unsure which earnings must be declared or how the Compensation Fund calculates assessments. Errors or omissions can lead to delays, additional charges, and compliance issues.
This allows you to focus on running your business while we handle the compliance requirements.
FAQ
Frequency Asked Question
A Return of Earnings (ROE) is an annual declaration that employers registered with the Compensation Fund must submit in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act (COIDA). The purpose of the declaration is to inform the Compensation Fund about the actual earnings paid to employees during the previous assessment period and the estimated earnings for the upcoming period. This information is then used to calculate the employer’s annual assessment fee.
The Return of Earnings is one of the most important compliance requirements for employers in South Africa. Without it, the Compensation Fund cannot accurately determine the contributions that a business should make towards employee injury and occupational disease coverage. By submitting a Return of Earnings on time, employers help ensure that their employees remain protected under COIDA while also maintaining their own compliance status.
Failure to submit a Return of Earnings can result in penalties, estimated assessments, compliance issues, and difficulties obtaining a Letter of Good Standing. For businesses that rely on contracts, tenders, supplier registrations, or compliance certificates, staying up to date with Return of Earnings submissions is essential for maintaining business continuity and protecting future opportunities.
Any employer that is registered with the Compensation Fund is generally required to submit a Return of Earnings every year. This obligation applies regardless of the size of the business and includes companies, close corporations, partnerships, trusts, and other employers who have employees working for them.
Many business owners mistakenly believe that they only need to submit a Return of Earnings if they have a large workforce. In reality, even businesses with a small number of employees are required to comply. The Compensation Fund uses the information provided to assess the risk associated with the business and determine the appropriate assessment fee.
This requirement affects businesses across numerous industries, including construction, security, transport, manufacturing, engineering, retail, hospitality, cleaning services, healthcare, and professional services. Whether your business employs two people or two hundred people, maintaining accurate and timely Return of Earnings submissions is an important part of remaining compliant with COIDA regulations.
The Compensation Fund requires employers to provide detailed information relating to employee earnings and business activities. This generally includes the employer’s Compensation Fund registration number, business details, payroll information, actual employee earnings for the previous assessment year, and projected earnings for the upcoming period.
The earnings declared must accurately reflect the remuneration paid to employees during the reporting period. Inaccurate information can result in incorrect assessments, delays, compliance issues, or requests for additional information from the Compensation Fund. For this reason, many employers work closely with payroll providers, accountants, or compliance specialists when preparing their submissions.
Providing complete and accurate information is critical because the Compensation Fund uses the data to calculate assessment fees and determine the employer’s compliance status. Proper record keeping throughout the year makes the submission process easier and helps ensure that the declaration is completed correctly when the submission period opens.
Failing to submit a Return of Earnings can create serious compliance problems for a business. One of the most immediate consequences is that the Compensation Fund may issue an estimated assessment based on assumptions rather than actual earnings data. These estimated assessments are often significantly higher than what the business may have been required to pay had accurate information been submitted.
In addition to financial consequences, businesses that fail to submit their Return of Earnings may struggle to obtain a Letter of Good Standing. Since a valid Letter of Good Standing is often required for tenders, contracts, supplier registrations, and project approvals, non-compliance can directly affect business opportunities and revenue generation.
There may also be penalties and interest charges imposed for late or non-submission. Over time, unresolved compliance issues can become increasingly difficult and costly to rectify. This is why employers are strongly encouraged to ensure that their Return of Earnings is submitted accurately and on time each year.
A current and accurate Return of Earnings submission is one of the key requirements for obtaining a Letter of Good Standing from the Compensation Fund. The Compensation Fund uses the Return of Earnings to verify that the employer has met its reporting obligations and that the assessment fees have been calculated correctly.
If a business has not submitted its Return of Earnings, it will often be unable to obtain or renew its Letter of Good Standing. This can become a significant problem when applying for tenders, contracts, or supplier registrations that require proof of COIDA compliance. Even businesses that are properly registered with the Compensation Fund may encounter difficulties if their Return of Earnings submissions are outstanding.
By ensuring that your Return of Earnings is submitted on time and that any resulting assessments are paid, you significantly improve your ability to maintain a valid Letter of Good Standing. This helps protect access to business opportunities and demonstrates that your company takes compliance seriously.
Compensation Fund assessment fees are calculated using a combination of factors, including the total employee earnings declared in the Return of Earnings and the risk classification assigned to the employer’s industry. Industries with a higher likelihood of workplace injuries may have higher assessment rates than industries considered lower risk.
The Compensation Fund uses the earnings information provided by the employer to determine the amount payable. This is why it is essential that the figures submitted are accurate and supported by proper payroll records. Understating earnings can lead to compliance issues, while overstating earnings may result in unnecessarily high assessment fees.
Understanding how assessments are calculated can help businesses budget effectively and avoid unexpected costs. Many employers choose to seek professional assistance when preparing their Return of Earnings to ensure that all calculations and declarations are accurate and compliant with Compensation Fund requirements.
Although employers can submit their own Return of Earnings, many business owners find the process confusing and time-consuming. Understanding which earnings should be declared, ensuring payroll information is accurate, and meeting Compensation Fund requirements can be challenging, particularly for businesses with complex payroll structures or outstanding compliance issues.
Professional assistance helps reduce the risk of errors, omissions, and delays. Compliance specialists understand the requirements, can identify potential problems before submission, and ensure that the declaration is completed accurately. This can save significant time and prevent costly mistakes that may affect assessment calculations or compliance status.
Using a professional service also provides peace of mind. Instead of spending valuable time dealing with paperwork and administrative processes, business owners can focus on running and growing their businesses while experienced specialists handle the compliance requirements. For many employers, professional assistance is a worthwhile investment that helps protect business opportunities and maintain long-term compliance.
Yes. Sacorpreg assists businesses throughout South Africa with both current and outstanding Return of Earnings submissions. Many employers discover that previous years’ declarations were never submitted or that there are unresolved issues affecting their compliance status. Our team can review your Compensation Fund records, identify outstanding obligations, and help bring your account up to date.
We handle the administrative process on your behalf, helping to reduce the stress and complexity often associated with Compensation Fund compliance. Whether you need assistance with a single submission or several years of outstanding declarations, our specialists can guide you through the process and help ensure that the necessary documentation is submitted correctly.
By resolving outstanding Return of Earnings issues, businesses can improve their compliance status, qualify for a Letter of Good Standing, avoid unnecessary penalties, and position themselves for future growth opportunities. Our goal is to make the process as simple and efficient as possible while helping you maintain full compliance with COIDA requirements.