Keys To Simplify Payroll Compliance Human resources departments across the country cite compliance as one of the top challenges they face. As an SME owner, it's up to you to ensure that your company's personnel business practices adhere to the current laws.

Keeping accurate records to document your company's compliance is just the beginning, says Ania Strydom, Compliance Specialist at Sage.

1. Why is payroll compliance so important?

Payroll is the biggest expense for most employers. Employers must comply with all labour and tax laws that govern the payroll to avoid financial and legal risks and to protect the employees and the business. The risks of getting it wrong include:

• Censure
• Interest or fines by authorities
• Imprisonment in cases of fraud or extreme negligence.

Payroll fraud is one of the most common white-collar crimes in the business world; what's more, inaccurate payments and non-compliance can cost a business dearly.

2. What are the implications for staff if a company is non-compliant?

The payroll is one of the most crucial links in the employee-employer relationship. Late or inaccurate wage and salary payments, or inaccurate calculations of other earnings (such as overtime), deductions (such as PAYE and UIF), and contributions (such as retirement fund or UIF contributions) can be extremely damaging to the morale of the workforce.

By law, every employee is entitled to a payslip and tax certificate (IRP5/IT3(a)). Employees need payslips for purposes such as applying for personal or home loans. Accurate and easy to understand payslips will boost employee satisfaction and trust in the company, with a positive impact on business performance.

What's more, employers must make sure UIF contributions are correct so that employees get the full amount they are entitled to if they need to claim.

3. How will the company's growth prospects be affected if the company is non-compliant?

While an efficient payroll system enhances staff morale and boosts an organisation's reputation, mistakes in record-keeping and compliance can result in punitive penalties and hurt the company's brand. Compliance mistakes with payroll can be expensive and potentially catastrophic which subsequently results in business risks.

4. How can a business ensure it is payroll compliant?

South African tax regulations and labour laws are and continue to be more complex. Keeping track of all the payroll legislative requirements can be challenging, but the risks of non-compliance are high and businesses can no longer rely on spreadsheets and other manual methods to do their calculations, report and file returns.

Automated solutions are becoming more essential for keeping reliable records, reporting and performing accurate payroll calculations.

The package you choose should:

• Be tailored for the local tax law, labour law and regulatory environment
• Manage all the complex calculations and regulatory reporting the business must do timeously
• Feature automated updates to ensure the company always processes on the latest software and legislative version.

This will ensure it avoids censure, fines, penalties, interest and/or imprisonment as a result of non-compliance.