The April 12th Check-In: 3 Things You Should Have Done By Now
We're nearly two weeks into April, and the new VAT threshold has been in effect for 11 days. Here's what you should have tackled by now—and what to prioritize if you haven't.
We are officially 12 days into April, which means the 2027 tax year is now six weeks old, and the new R2.3 million VAT threshold has been in effect for almost two weeks.
At Accounting Simplified, we've been checking in with our clients to see how they're adapting to the changes. Some are already ahead of the game, while others are still trying to catch up from the March rush.
If you haven't had a chance to review your compliance obligations yet, don't panic. Here are the three most critical tasks you should have completed by now—and what to do if you're behind.
Your March Financials Should Be Closed
If your financial year ended on 28 February, March was the first month of your new financial year. By now, your March books should be fully reconciled and closed.
**Why this matters:** Your March numbers set the baseline for the rest of the year. If you start with unreconciled transactions and messy records, you're setting yourself up for a year of playing catch-up.
What 'closed' means:
If you haven't done this yet: Block out time this week to clean up March. Even if it's not perfect, getting it to 90% accurate is better than leaving it untouched until May.
You Should Know Your VAT Status
The new R2.3 million threshold came into effect on April 1st. If your annual turnover is between R1 million and R2.3 million, you need to decide whether you're staying registered or applying for deregistration.
This isn't a decision you can postpone indefinitely. If you're planning to deregister, you need to notify SARS formally, calculate any deemed supply implications, and ensure you stop charging VAT at the right time.
What you should have done by now:
If you haven't done this yet: Don't deregister impulsively. There are strategic reasons to stay registered even if you qualify to leave. Book a consultation with your accountant before you make any changes.
Your Payroll Tax Tables Should Be Updated
On 1 March, the 2027 tax tables came into effect. If you have employees, their PAYE deductions should reflect the new rates.
The good news is that most payroll systems update automatically. However, we've seen cases where the update didn't apply correctly, meaning employees are either overpaying or underpaying tax.
What you should have checked by now:
If you haven't done this yet: Run a payroll audit for March and April. Compare the tax deductions to the official SARS tax tables. If there's a discrepancy, correct it immediately before the problem compounds.
The Bigger Picture: Staying Ahead, Not Catching Up
Here's the pattern we see every year: businesses that close their books monthly and stay on top of compliance have less stress, better cash flow visibility, and fewer surprises when tax season arrives.
Businesses that 'batch process' their accounting (doing three months at once in a rush) are constantly in reactive mode. They miss tax-saving opportunities, struggle with cash flow forecasting, and often discover problems too late to fix them efficiently.
April is still early in the financial year. If you've fallen behind in the first six weeks, this is your chance to reset before the backlog becomes unmanageable.
Let's Get You Back on Track
If you're reading this and thinking, 'I haven't done any of these three things yet,' you're not alone. Many business owners are juggling operations, sales, and admin all at once.
That's exactly why Accounting Simplified exists. We take the burden of monthly compliance off your plate so you can focus on what you do best—running your business.
Whether you need help closing your March books, navigating the VAT deregistration process, or setting up a monthly accounting rhythm that actually works, we're here to help.
Book a Compliance Catch-Up Session Today
Let's get your April financials sorted and set up a system that keeps you ahead of the game, not scrambling to catch up.
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**Important:** This article provides general guidance for South African businesses. Every business situation is unique, and compliance decisions should be made in consultation with a qualified accounting professional.