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Staying ahead of SARS

No matter what type of business you're running, payroll is an essential monthly activity involving complexities related to calculations, deductions and statutory regulations.

Sandra Swanepoel, Sales Director, Softline VIP Payroll, says that while buying good payroll software to manage this in-house saves a lot of money, even more important is the legislative knowledge a small business will receive from a reputable payroll provider.

“SMEs need to be aware that size is irrelevant when it comes to legislative penalties,” she adds. “Over the past 10 years, changes in legislation affecting payroll have greatly affected the way the job is done today and, more importantly, by whom it is done.”

SARS is again streamlining the process for companies to do their submissions in the 2009/2010 tax year. To benefit from the new SARS changes, small companies should make sure they are prepared for the submission and informed about the process they need to follow. Swanepoel explains that being prepared will entail gathering all relevant information before the submission takes place.

“In addition to the information that has always appeared on IRP5 and IT3 documents, SARS will require additional information for the 2009/2010 submission. Some of the mandatory fields for February 2010 are company related, and some are employee related,” she says. “Making use of a computerised payroll system will make it even simpler for companies to do the submission because the format of the files will be guaranteed to be correct and no manual process will then be required.”

The new information SARS will require includes:

Company information

* SDL and UIF numbers
* Employer contact person and number
* Employer trade classification
* Employer physical address

Employee information

* Additional work telephone number
* Three addresses
* Bank account details with account holder relationship

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Softline VIP

Softline VIP is a leading supplier of payroll and human resource management solutions in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. The company now boasts more than 24 000 clients. With three payroll and human resource management products, Softline VIP is able to meet the needs of any size company. Coupled with an extensive service offering, Softline VIP is the only payroll and HR solution geared to meet the challenges of the modern payroll office. The VIP Products are synonymous with ease of use, stability and reliability, with the flexibility to cater to the unique needs of every client. VIP promises long-term sustainability over and above legislative compliance. VIP understands the human resources and payroll environment and offers the client peace of mind by providing a total solution.

* Softline VIP achieved an overall fourth place in the top 10 for medium businesses in the Deloitte Best Company to Work For Survey 2009 and a second place in the industry category “business and professional services”. Softline VIP also emerged one of 48 participants out of an overall 98 to score above the standard of excellence threshold of more than 75%.

Softline VIP products include:

VIP Premier - Softline VIP also supplies leading technology to service large and corporate clients. VIP Premier is geared towards increasing the functionality of payroll systems and provides an uncomplicated solution for medium to large organisations. One of the key features of this product is that it is quick to implement in comparison to similar solutions. Meeting the needs of any payroll office and supplying the most suitable solution is important for Softline VIP as it strives to ensure practical solutions for all users. Our products are easy to use and reliable and the information produced is accurate and complies with all statutory requirements.

VIP Classic - VIP Classic is the perfect solution for clients with bigger operations than the one-man business. VIP Classic provides the same flexibility as larger systems but is aimed at the small to medium sector. This software offers a total solution to users.

VIP Essentials - VIP Essentials is geared to small businesses and contains the same ease of use and stability of all VIP's products. VIP Essentials is an affordable product, making it an ideal solution for the small business paying less than 30 employees.

Softline has a solid track record of profitability and cash generation. The group delivers quality accounting, payroll and CRM software solutions that improve the efficiencies of businesses around the world.

Softline

Softline is a leading provider of accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions to small, medium and large sized companies. Founded in 1988 by Ivan Epstein, Alan Osrin and Steven Cohen, Softline was established during the formative years of the software industry and listed on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa in February 1997. Softline expanded to establish a strong position within its area of focus in South Africa and Australia. Focused on the development of accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions, Softline has a 20-year track record as a market leader. The group has a broad range of products offering users a variety of software solutions to run their businesses efficiently. Softline's leading brands include Softline Accpac, Softline Pastel (Accounting and Payroll) and Softline VIP. The combination of the group's product offerings provides Softline customers with comprehensive, well-branded accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions. In November 2003, Softline was acquired by the Sage Group, a FTSE 100 company. The software group includes market-leading businesses throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, South Africa and Australia, supplying business software to the small, medium and large-sized business community. Softline has a solid track record of profitability and cash generation. The group delivers quality accounting, payroll, CRM and ERP software solutions that improve the efficiencies of businesses around the world.

The Sage Group

The Sage Group is a leading global supplier of business management software solutions and related products and services, principally for small to medium-sized enterprises. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989. Sage has 5.8 million customers and more than 14 500 employees worldwide. We operate in over 26 countries covering the UK, Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, India and China. For further information, please visit http://www.sage.com.

Editorial contacts

Mia Andric
Watt Communications
mia@WattCommunications.co.za