• COVID-19 Business Support

    Powered by SMTAX

    SMTAX's vision is to grow the economy through improving financial inclusion and using technology as our main tool for a larger impact. We aim to do this by assisting small businesses to start and grow their business, and empowering them with financial insights, literacy and ease of doing business. We are human at heart, and aim to build lasting relationships with the entrepreneurs and individuals we support.
    Apply for COVID-19 Funding

Our Partners

 SMTAX has joined forces with these amazing partners  to offer  clients the opportunity to access affordable and efficient business-support services to assist their business with the impact of COVID-19. 

Step 1

Click on the button "Apply for Government Funding" and complete online form.

Step 2

You will receive an email requesting FICA documents. Director ID's, Proof of address and bank statements.

Step 3

 We will register your company for UIF and PAYE (If not registered already). We will also file any required returns.

Step 4

We will check your SARS compliance status and submit any outstanding returns. Once compliant will issue the TCC.

Step 5

We will create a Xero account on your behalf and prepare your management reports & financial statements.

Step 6

We have all the documents we need to apply. We will apply for government support and keep you posted.

Creating a digital presence for your company is very important for your business. Especially due to restricted movements and lockdown imposed by the Government. Make it easier for your clients to find you online. We partnered with Holaweb to help you setup a website, domain and hosting.

Making the right decision based on the right information is very important to ensure the sustainability and success of your business. We have partnered with Hybr SA to help us put together webinars with industry expects, funding institutions and governmental agencies.

Your ability to get funding to cushion the impact of COVID19 is very important to maintain your cash flow . Cashflow is the life blood of any small business. The government and other funding institutions have announced funding mechanism and grants. SMTAX is adequately geared to help you access this funding. 

Having a real time view of your cash balance to see if a company has enough cash to pay its immediate liabilities is very important. Xero is offering a 50% discount to support SMEs in South Africa. Xero will help you keep track of your cash flow and also send invoices to your customers online.

Small Business Support Packages

To our SMTAX community,

We've been working closely with the department of small business, NYDA and other funding institutions like Old Mutual ,FNB and Inyosi, to name but a few, in order to help our customers access affordable funding to support their business during these tough times.

partners – with a seamless experience and the support you need and expect from us.



1. COID Claims

The compensation for occupational injuries and  disease benefits, has issued a notice in terms of section 6A of the COIDA act. The notice of became effective on 20 March 2020.  This benefit allows employees to claim a benefit, if they have been infected with Covid19 in the workplace or if they have recently made a trip to a high risk area for work purposes. The ICD10 code to be used on the claim form and medical diagnosis is U07.01.

Some industries that will be heavily impacted would be health care and support services. Please note t
he employer would be liable to pay for days of absence upto 30 days
for temporary disablement. Temporary Total Disablement - These are suspected and unconfirmed cases, where the medical practitioner has recommended self quarantine.

If an employee is diagnosed with the COVID19 these are the steps to follow:
1. Obtain diagnosis from registered medical practitioner
2. Download required forms from the department of labour (COID Website).
3. Complete all documents required and submit via email to COIDA.

2. Small Enterprise Funding Agency (SEFA)

The following packages have been made available by SEFA to help support SME's with regards to the COVID-19. SEFA has allocated R500 million across all 3 support packages. 

1. Business Growth Facility
2. SMME Relief Finance
3. Restructuring of SEFA-funded SMEs

Business Growth Facility - Only for SME's that are directly in the production or supply of healthcare and related products that will be utilized to combat the spread of COVID-19. The facility is structured as a loan at a rate of prime less 5%.

SMME Relief Finance - Only for SME's that are negatively impacted by the COVID-19 virus. The fund provides working capital (e.g. rent, salaries etc) limited to R500 000. The facility is structured as a loan at a rate of prime less 5%.

Restructuring of SEFA-funded SMEs - only for SEFA funded SMES. The programme allows SME's to get up to a 6 month payment holiday (moratorium) on existing SEFA debt. The interest is not capitalised during this period.

Qualifying criteria:

1. Must be SARS Tax Compliant - to get compliant click here
2. Must be UIF Compliant - 
to get compliant click here
3. Must be registered on the SMME database and CSD - register here


3. SARS Tax Relief

If a small business does not file their tax returns on SARS would normally impose an administrative penalty for non-submission in accordance with the Tax Administration act (TAA). Late payment of any taxes (PAYE, VAT or Provisional Tax) has a 10% penalty.  Due to the exceptional circumstance of COVID-19 SARS has allow taxpayers relief by remitting these penalties.

Taxpayer are also allowed to delay upto 20% of their PAYE debt for the next 4 months.  SARS will also payout employee tax incentives every month instead of every 2 months.

4. UIF Temporary Employer Relief Scheme (TERS)

Only applicable is a business/employer decides as a result of the recent COVID-19 pandemic to close his/her business and send employees home. This is also applicable as a result of the lock-down announced by the president. If the employer cannot afford to pay employees over this period, the business can apply for relief. The value of the benefit is limited to R17 712.

You may apply online www.ufiling.co.za or send an email with required documentation to online.BCP@labour.gov.za 


5. South Africa Future Trust (SAFT)

The SAFT has been setup by the Oppenheimer Family and will extend direct financial support to SMME employees who are at risk of losing their jobs or will suffer a loss of income because of COVID-19. The fund will be administered by the major 4 banks and will be in the form of an interest free loan for a period of 5 years.

You may contact your bank to get more information.


6. Sukuma Relief Programme

This is the application platform for financial assistance and aid for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) negatively impacted by COVID-19. The initiative is supported and funded by The Rupert family and Remgro Limited who pledged R1 billion towards this financial aid.

The fund is administered by Business Partners - www.businesspartners.co.za

Market Leader

We are a market leader in digital SME support solutions in South Africa

Real-time Insights

Our service offering provides you with real-time insights to help you make informed decisions .

Improved Profits

Our Accounting, tax and business -advisory is built to ensure improved business profitability.

BBBEE Level 1

SMTAX is a black owned business and has over 25 employees. Supporting over +4000 SME's.