Apply the rules
The Hiree reading room
Step-by-step South African money guidance with worked examples, official sources and links to the tools that help you act on what you learn. We publish a focused set of source-backed guides and expand it only when a page is ready.
Practical guides
UIF
How to claim UIF in South Africa
Prepare your UIF unemployment claim: eligibility checks, the twelve-month application window, documents, official application channels and follow-up questions.
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Loans
How to compare loan offers like a professional
The interest rate isn't the whole story. Here's how to compare loans on total cost, fees, APR and flexibility — not just the headline rate.
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Payroll
Understanding your South African payslip
Understand your South African payslip: gross pay, PAYE, UIF, pension, medical aid, net pay, and the checks to make each month.
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Check your UIF balance
Check your UIF contributions, credit days and claim status on uFiling, by USSD or by phone — and what to do if your contribution history has errors.
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How to check and fix your UIF contribution history
Errors in your UIF contribution history can reduce or block a claim. Here's how to check your record on uFiling and get missing contributions fixed.
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How loan interest works in South Africa
From the repo rate and prime to the National Credit Act's interest caps and the in duplum rule — how loan interest really works in South Africa.
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Tax
How PAYE works in South Africa
Learn how PAYE works in South Africa, how SARS tax brackets and rebates affect your salary, and how to check your monthly deduction.
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How to calculate loan repayments (step by step)
How loan repayments are calculated, in plain English — the formula, a full worked example, and how to check any South African lender's quote.
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How to read your IRP5 certificate
Check your South African IRP5: common income and tax codes, year-to-date totals, identity details and the steps to resolve payroll mismatches.
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VAT
How to Register for VAT in South Africa
Register for VAT in South Africa: understand the R2.3 million threshold, voluntary registration, the VAT101 process, and your next steps.
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How UIF unemployment benefits are calculated
The step-by-step calculation behind UIF unemployment benefits: daily income, the income replacement rate, and credit days.
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How UIF works in South Africa
Understand UIF contributions, the R17,712 ceiling, credit days, benefit rates, and what South African employees can claim.
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How VAT Works in South Africa
Learn how South African VAT works: output and input tax, VAT201 returns, invoices, penalties, and the current registration threshold.
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Tax
Medical aid tax credits in South Africa
How the MTC works in South Africa: the monthly rand amounts, how employers apply it, and why it can leave you owing SARS at year-end.
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How retrenchment packages are taxed in South Africa
How a retrenchment or severance package is taxed in South Africa: severance benefits vs leave pay vs notice pay, and the R550,000 lifetime exemption.
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SARS penalties and interest, explained
What SARS charges when you file late or owe tax in South Africa: understatement penalties, late-payment penalties and the interest rate — and how to fix them.
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Tax
Travel allowance and the logbook: what you can claim
How the South African travel allowance works, what SARS allows you to claim per kilometre, and why a logbook is essential.
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