As the current Return of Earnings (ROE) season draws to a close, we would like to remind all employers of the importance of submitting their ROE timeously in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, 130 of 1993 (COIDA).
In accordance with COIDA, all registered employers are legally required to submit an annual Return of Earnings to the Compensation Fund. The ROE submission deadline ordinarily runs from 1 April to 30 June each year and is used by the Fund to assess employers’ annual contributions based on employees’ earnings. Failure to submit an ROE within the prescribed period may result in interest by the Compensation Fund.
Employers are strongly encouraged to submit their outstanding ROE documentation before the Compensation Fund’s annual system closure in March 2026. The Fund customarily closes its systems at the end of each financial year to perform year-end processing and only reopens again in April for the new ROE season.
The 2024 ROE season has been particularly challenging, with widespread system disruptions, intermittent downtime, and periods of unavailability on the Compensation Fund’s online platform. These issues have resulted in significant backlogs and delays in registrations, submissions, and assessments. Given these circumstances, we urge employers to register and submit their ROE as soon as possible while the systems are currently operational. The operational stability of the Compensation Fund’s systems after reopening in April 2026 for the 2025 ROE season cannot be guaranteed, especially in light of the existing backlog carried forward from this season.
To mitigate the risk of non-compliance, interest and delays in obtaining Letters of Good Standing, employers should take proactive steps now to ensure their ROE obligations are fully met before the Fund’s closure.
Should you require any assistance with your ROE submission, employer registration, or compliance with COIDA requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to support you in navigating the process and ensuring your compliance remains up to date.