If you have 5 minutes
Read Core: start here. It shows the order to do things, and what you can ignore.
Your path
Start and run your business in South Africa
A free guide for one person who is the owner and the only worker. Plain words, AI-checked facts, and only the steps that apply to you.
Written by AI. An AI checked the facts against the sources in the sources register, most recently on 13 October 2026. No person has checked them yet. Check the official link before you pay or sign. How this was made
- How you trade
- Kind of business
- Where you are now
Where to start
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If you have an hour
Read the whole core section. Then open your kind of business.
If you know what you need
Open the master checklist. Tick each item when you finish it.
Your kind of business
Pick the one that fits. If two fit, read both.
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Vehicle dealer
You buy and sell vehicles.
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Food business
You make, cook, package or sell food or drinks.
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Beauty and personal care
You do hair, nails, beauty treatments, massage, tattoos or piercings.
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Retail and online shop
You sell products in a shop, at markets or online.
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Services and trades
You fix, build, install, clean or deliver.
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Professional and creative work
You sell your skill or your time, for example design, coding or tutoring.
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General: I sell or do many things
Shows the rules for retail, services and professional work.
Four things that matter early
Three numbers that changed in 2026
Most websites still show the old numbers.
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Compulsory VAT registration
R2.3 million
Not R1 million
From 1 April 2026
AI-checked 13 September 2026
Official source Official source for Compulsory VAT registration
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Voluntary VAT registration
R120,000
From 1 April 2026
AI-checked 13 September 2026
Official source Official source for Voluntary VAT registration
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Turnover tax threshold
R2.3 million
AI-checked 13 September 2026
Why you can use this guide
- An AI last checked the facts on 13 October 2026
- Each page lists its sources or points to the sources register
- Free, and you do not need an account
- Your answers stay on this device