WCC Annual Assesment

[IMHO]

Have been trying with identity number of the members, but keep getting the following error message: "Individual details fetch failed ...0" . But if others have been able to register then could be a problem with client's registration details????

Do you have to be on their database already to register on this system? What about a new business?

[Dave A]

But please is there anyway to de-register with workmenscompensation. Is a 1 man consulting business with half day secretary.

That first employee certainly is a big step up - along comes Workmans Compensation and UIF as a minimum. Probably worth mentioning that even as a one person business, the only escape from those two is if you trade as a sole proprietor.

[Johan99]

IMHO,

The registration on the database is done to enable the electronic submission of the ROE. Thus the process for a new business would be first to register the business. Assessments would be raised depending on the date on which the first employee was employed.

As a norm we see that businesses register "going forward" thus they will use a date in the current tax year, say 1 March 2013. Based on the earnings declared with the registration form, the Commissioner will decide on which class the business would resort under and raise a provisional assessment. If all go well, you would receive your notification of registration plus the assessment which would then have to be paid within the normal 30 days. If not, well then you would not know if you have been registered, penalties for late payment would be raised ( of which you would not get a notification or statement ) and the normal mess continues from hereon.

If you wish to do the correct thing and register retrospectively from when the business actualy employed the first employee, you would have to submit earnings and returns for those years as well. All that I can say is that if you are not in Pretoria to visit their offices personally, good luck...I cannot stress the importance enough of a correctly completed registration form as correcting an incorrect classification takes an unbelievable amount of time - without mentioning the possible overpayment of premiums. In all the years that we have been dealing with the Commissioner, we have never seen them refund errors of this nature because "the employer furnished incorrect information" The nominal fee that consultants charge to assist with the registration of a business is money well spend. In my opinion of course...

To come back to the question - for the new business the Commissioner would raise a provisional assessment upon registration, and at the end of March 2014 the actual earnings is to be declared and submitted.

[IMHO]

Johan99, thanks.

The word "amnesty" is thrown around. What is that about?

[Johan99]

The Act makes provision for a penalty to be charged for late submission of the ROE - up to 10% of the assessment - and the "amnesty" would mean that no penalties would be charged for the submission of the last 4 years. Not sure if the 2012/2013 ROE would count towards one of these years though...

[Johan99]

Don't expect too much assistance from the Commissioner's office today....

They are closing at 10H00 because TOMORROW is a public holiday?? My staff member nearly got chased out of their building because he dared to take a photo of their notice?? Then the last sentence states " ...for the inconvenience that may (??!!) be caused." While there are businesses that are put off site because they don't have a valid Letter of Good Standing????

[Dissel]

Thanks for the help, guys. I will spend the long weekend trying to register five entities for electronic returns. Hope I come out of it with my sanity intact.

[sandyb]

Hi all and Johan99 - any clarity yet on how much to remit to them taking their discount structure into account? Do we remit less the discount amount? I have submitted my return but their "invoice" does not have any reference to their discounts or how to go about settling early.

Anybody?

Thanks

[Johan99]

Hi Sandy,

We also awaited our first return with bated breath and, as you state, the assessment is as always. It makes sense though as at the time of the assessment they would not know when the employer would pay and there is a nationwide campaign to announce this. We have received a meeting request from their offices for Friday morning where I expect the "discount structure" would be one of the discussion points.

I will post any worthwhile info Friday afternoon.

[Dave A]

I will post any worthwhile info Friday afternoon.

That would definitely be appreciated.

I don't know if this would help add weight to your influence there, but on questions of process and principle like these that affects everyone here, please feel free to claim that among other things you are also representing the small business community at TFSA.

[Johan99]

Thanks Dave,

It is true that the smaller employers experience more problems - or let me rephrase - the problems are more acutely felt as the person trying to resolve the WCA also has a multitude of other responsibilities. Bigger firms normally has dedicated personell to deal with IOD's and releated issues -or they simply outsource this where it would be cost-effective.

After reading some of indirect - and some not so indirect - posts, I am very careful not to use the forum as an advertising medium, but rather to assist business owners with general and common WCA problems. Of course for those that had enough or not the time to deal with the Commissioner, we would assist on a professional basis.

[Dave A]

I am very careful not to use the forum as an advertising medium, but rather to assist business owners with general and common WCA problems.

Nothing wrong with putting something into your signature and your profile, though.

[Johan99]

Hi Everyone,

The only worthwile information that came from the meeting at the WCA offices is that there is still no clarity as to how the "early payment" discount would be returned to employers that make use of this.

It is common knowledge that most of the current Letters of Good Standing are expiring at the end of April. It was acknowledged that logistically it would be unlikely to attend to all in the time left, but plans are to have more staff available to assist from Monday the 8th at Pretoria. Employers should be encouraged to submit their Return of Earnings on-line, pay the assessment, and request the LOGS as soon as possible.

[sandyb]

So are we expected to pay 100% of the assessment and "hope" for the 10% back if we pay before the initial 30 days is up? Or should I pay less 10%?

[Johan99]

Sandy,

You must pay the full assessment - the uncertainty - since February - is how the discount is to be passed to the employers. Least admin for them would be a credit to your account i would imagine.