[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$f2futjuu26wght":3},{"_createdAt":4,"_id":5,"_updatedAt":6,"authors":7,"charactercount":38,"content":39,"featuredimage":461,"published":464,"slug":465,"subtitle":468,"tag":469,"title":470,"contentHtml":471,"featuredimageUrl":472},"2026-02-12T13:15:50Z","a81e8884-2c32-400e-93b9-b30197be747b","2026-02-16T11:09:42Z",[8,20,29],{"_id":9,"avatar":10,"instagram":15,"linkedin":16,"name":17,"role":18,"twitter":15,"avatarUrl":19},"7aa08034-ee12-4896-8ab2-25cd716879b0",{"_type":11,"asset":12},"image",{"_ref":13,"_type":14},"image-9c0a2bae8de9d0cab108aa92ee9c64c1a3b2312b-2369x2369-jpg","reference",null,"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fsarah-cluver-289857162\u002F","Sarah Schwegmann","Growth","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.sanity.io\u002Fimages\u002F59aqi1lf\u002Fproduction\u002F9c0a2bae8de9d0cab108aa92ee9c64c1a3b2312b-2369x2369.jpg?w=128&h=128",{"_id":21,"avatar":22,"instagram":15,"linkedin":25,"name":26,"role":27,"twitter":15,"avatarUrl":28},"8a6b9c4f-3a8e-4bc6-9829-2efb9af2188e",{"_type":11,"asset":23},{"_ref":24,"_type":14},"image-d71aa1f55cb5fa84f59dc48bfdef96dad4f81467-800x800-jpg","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Fdianadixie\u002F","Diana Dixie ","Entrepreneurs Accountant ","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.sanity.io\u002Fimages\u002F59aqi1lf\u002Fproduction\u002Fd71aa1f55cb5fa84f59dc48bfdef96dad4f81467-800x800.jpg?w=128&h=128",{"_id":30,"avatar":31,"instagram":15,"linkedin":34,"name":35,"role":36,"twitter":15,"avatarUrl":37},"6651ff22-deee-4f76-8441-2ac1a9ab50d4",{"_type":11,"asset":32},{"_ref":33,"_type":14},"image-5d229641f9f3a9c49144bbfb802e37fd1be4215c-192x192-png","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.linkedin.com\u002Fin\u002Ftayla-thompson-dandridge-13a05b93\u002F","Tayla Dandridge","Co-founder","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.sanity.io\u002Fimages\u002F59aqi1lf\u002Fproduction\u002F5d229641f9f3a9c49144bbfb802e37fd1be4215c-192x192.png?w=128&h=128",3281,[40,56,64,72,81,90,98,110,118,126,134,143,151,159,167,177,185,193,201,209,217,225,233,241,249,257,265,273,285,297,309,317,325,333,341,349,357,365,373,385,397,409,421,429,437,445,453],{"_key":41,"_type":42,"children":43,"markDefs":54,"style":55},"6fb4768ac11a","block",[44,50],{"_key":45,"_type":46,"marks":47,"text":49},"a92b083a7136","span",[48],"strong","February 28",{"_key":51,"_type":46,"marks":52,"text":53},"84acb9dca1eb",[]," (or 29 if it's a leap year, because your receipts needed an extra day to leap out of your cubbyhole). That's when SARS expects your story straight.",[],"normal",{"_key":57,"_type":42,"children":58,"markDefs":63,"style":55},"2ab85b73c455",[59],{"_key":60,"_type":46,"marks":61,"text":62},"03fd71ec35d0",[],"Everything before this date? Handle it.",[],{"_key":65,"_type":42,"children":66,"markDefs":71,"style":55},"0d3f3495c395",[67],{"_key":68,"_type":46,"marks":69,"text":70},"65f535f15517",[],"Everything after? Future you's problem.",[],{"_key":73,"_type":42,"children":74,"markDefs":79,"style":80},"afe677478564",[75],{"_key":76,"_type":46,"marks":77,"text":78},"614b5b6ad6fd",[48],"Before Year-End: Your Checklist",[],"h2",{"_key":82,"_type":42,"children":83,"markDefs":88,"style":89},"738270772885",[84],{"_key":85,"_type":46,"marks":86,"text":87},"3b9b58de3c92",[48],"1. Match Your Bank to Your Records",[],"h4",{"_key":91,"_type":42,"children":92,"markDefs":97,"style":55},"464d310e49ea",[93],{"_key":94,"_type":46,"marks":95,"text":96},"05e717f8411c",[],"Bank says R5,000 went out. Your records say R4,800. Find the R200.",[],{"_key":99,"_type":42,"children":100,"markDefs":109,"style":55},"499be1c258c4",[101,105],{"_key":102,"_type":46,"marks":103,"text":104},"64c8b6f48dfe",[48],"How:",{"_key":106,"_type":46,"marks":107,"text":108},"07e6aabb05d4",[]," Go line by line. Hunt duplicates. Fix mystery charges. That R200 from three months ago? Yeah, find it now or it will be lost in the ether forever.",[],{"_key":111,"_type":42,"children":112,"markDefs":117,"style":89},"00a8008383f9",[113],{"_key":114,"_type":46,"marks":115,"text":116},"8b03fcdd8929",[48],"2. Chase Money You're Owed",[],{"_key":119,"_type":42,"children":120,"markDefs":125,"style":55},"867f8bc2a021",[121],{"_key":122,"_type":46,"marks":123,"text":124},"a8138bd543ae",[],"That late Jan invoice? The \"I'll pay you next week\" one?",[],{"_key":127,"_type":42,"children":128,"markDefs":133,"style":55},"7b7807beb098",[129],{"_key":130,"_type":46,"marks":131,"text":132},"3bf74c51d172",[],"Chase it. Money owed before year-end = taxable income. Whether they paid or not.",[],{"_key":135,"_type":42,"children":136,"markDefs":142,"style":55},"89b60bdae143",[137],{"_key":138,"_type":46,"marks":139,"text":141},"cda27673f666",[140],"em","(Taxable income = Taxable income is the money you earned minus your business expenses - that’s what SARS taxes.)",[],{"_key":144,"_type":42,"children":145,"markDefs":150,"style":89},"b2574d8ed0d3",[146],{"_key":147,"_type":46,"marks":148,"text":149},"007b0d456104",[48],"3. Go Through Your Expenses",[],{"_key":152,"_type":42,"children":153,"markDefs":158,"style":55},"2143395710e8",[154],{"_key":155,"_type":46,"marks":156,"text":157},"8f425b23b951",[],"Every legitimate business expense you prove = less tax.",[],{"_key":160,"_type":42,"children":161,"markDefs":166,"style":55},"7f0a7dac2d74",[162],{"_key":163,"_type":46,"marks":164,"text":165},"560f7f171345",[48],"Business or personal?",[],{"_key":168,"_type":42,"children":169,"level":174,"listItem":175,"markDefs":176,"style":55},"e26e04f6f8c8",[170],{"_key":171,"_type":46,"marks":172,"text":173},"67f2af4a41d3",[],"Client lunch: Business ✅",1,"bullet",[],{"_key":178,"_type":42,"children":179,"level":174,"listItem":175,"markDefs":184,"style":55},"a78f9a68766d",[180],{"_key":181,"_type":46,"marks":182,"text":183},"4cfb3e8be1ef",[],"That last-minute Valentine’s gift: Personal ❌ (unless your sweetheart is also your accountant 💘)",[],{"_key":186,"_type":42,"children":187,"markDefs":192,"style":55},"86ee9cea5a77",[188],{"_key":189,"_type":46,"marks":190,"text":191},"7ad125436f19",[48],"Don't forget you may be able to claim:",[],{"_key":194,"_type":42,"children":195,"level":174,"listItem":175,"markDefs":200,"style":55},"0b04859a48a9",[196],{"_key":197,"_type":46,"marks":198,"text":199},"6d537036c3b4",[],"Car (If 40% of your driving is for business, you can claim 40% of fuel, maintenance, insurance, and other running costs.)",[],{"_key":202,"_type":42,"children":203,"level":174,"listItem":175,"markDefs":208,"style":55},"55b31ce2b055",[204],{"_key":205,"_type":46,"marks":206,"text":207},"0d86d5e2fe21",[],"That Udemy or GetSmarter skills course you took",[],{"_key":210,"_type":42,"children":211,"level":174,"listItem":175,"markDefs":216,"style":55},"7dda619dace7",[212],{"_key":213,"_type":46,"marks":214,"text":215},"0d7057499773",[],"Bank fees, software, marketing",[],{"_key":218,"_type":42,"children":219,"markDefs":224,"style":55},"5449b6fc9c60",[220],{"_key":221,"_type":46,"marks":222,"text":223},"7839f3bd6ca8",[],"No receipt? Can't claim it. SARS doesn't do \"trust me bro\" (we know, it sucks).Your phone camera is your new best friend.",[],{"_key":226,"_type":42,"children":227,"markDefs":232,"style":89},"4f16070e3eb6",[228],{"_key":229,"_type":46,"marks":230,"text":231},"cf4a7d5f4399",[48],"4. Count Your Stock (If You Sell Products)",[],{"_key":234,"_type":42,"children":235,"markDefs":240,"style":55},"3e4993a072b5",[236],{"_key":237,"_type":46,"marks":238,"text":239},"278ef315d144",[],"Physically count everything. Write it down. Calculate value.",[],{"_key":242,"_type":42,"children":243,"markDefs":248,"style":55},"a392e09e7a2d",[244],{"_key":245,"_type":46,"marks":246,"text":247},"357c0ff12b0c",[],"50 candles × R30 (cost amount) = R1,500 stock value.",[],{"_key":250,"_type":42,"children":251,"markDefs":256,"style":55},"9e00fb8d42c7",[252],{"_key":253,"_type":46,"marks":254,"text":255},"772ad12f7c75",[],"No guessing. SARS wants numbers.",[],{"_key":258,"_type":42,"children":259,"markDefs":264,"style":80},"a76c3987f443",[260],{"_key":261,"_type":46,"marks":262,"text":263},"820d55179d54",[48],"At Year-End: What Happens",[],{"_key":266,"_type":42,"children":267,"markDefs":272,"style":89},"16d0eb9e9520",[268],{"_key":269,"_type":46,"marks":270,"text":271},"8488a404e3a6",[48],"Three things you should know",[],{"_key":274,"_type":42,"children":275,"markDefs":284,"style":55},"32d740496830",[276,280],{"_key":277,"_type":46,"marks":278,"text":279},"7eb8f51c65fd",[48],"What you made:",{"_key":281,"_type":46,"marks":282,"text":283},"461b77b0091d",[]," Money in - money out = profit (or loss)",[],{"_key":286,"_type":42,"children":287,"markDefs":296,"style":55},"3e797951d8e3",[288,292],{"_key":289,"_type":46,"marks":290,"text":291},"ded424cb502f",[48],"What you own vs owe:",{"_key":293,"_type":46,"marks":294,"text":295},"132da5c537c0",[]," Look at what you have (money, stock, stuff) versus what you owe (bills, loans). Are you growing your business or falling behind?",[],{"_key":298,"_type":42,"children":299,"markDefs":308,"style":55},"808e414a2b3c",[300,304],{"_key":301,"_type":46,"marks":302,"text":303},"5a155e12015f",[48],"Where money moved:",{"_key":305,"_type":46,"marks":306,"text":307},"8e69d6d3de80",[]," You might be making money, but if it’s all owed to others or not yet paid to you, you could still have very little cash to spend?",[],{"_key":310,"_type":42,"children":311,"markDefs":316,"style":89},"aa666abb4be1",[312],{"_key":313,"_type":46,"marks":314,"text":315},"4fd604f8026e",[48],"File Your Taxes",[],{"_key":318,"_type":42,"children":319,"markDefs":324,"style":55},"43e0aaae93fc",[320],{"_key":321,"_type":46,"marks":322,"text":323},"3e579058283a",[],"Tax is on PROFIT, not total income. You now have 7 months to submit your returns to SARS (September for most).",[],{"_key":326,"_type":42,"children":327,"markDefs":332,"style":55},"d9edc2774fac",[328],{"_key":329,"_type":46,"marks":330,"text":331},"79b1594a58ac",[],"Don't wait until September like some adrenaline junkie. Close off this last year - get is sorted, focus on the future",[],{"_key":334,"_type":42,"children":335,"markDefs":340,"style":89},"e3ef639dc459",[336],{"_key":337,"_type":46,"marks":338,"text":339},"92a70d839427",[48],"Look Back, Plan Forward",[],{"_key":342,"_type":42,"children":343,"level":174,"listItem":175,"markDefs":348,"style":55},"76d647930ca2",[344],{"_key":345,"_type":46,"marks":346,"text":347},"f3ef87bba7b4",[],"What products made money? (Probably not what you thought). ",[],{"_key":350,"_type":42,"children":351,"level":174,"listItem":175,"markDefs":356,"style":55},"57f8367a5c97",[352],{"_key":353,"_type":46,"marks":354,"text":355},"cc025c44a79d",[],"What expenses drained money?",[],{"_key":358,"_type":42,"children":359,"level":174,"listItem":175,"markDefs":364,"style":55},"5578e0e3e587",[360],{"_key":361,"_type":46,"marks":362,"text":363},"5a2d0ab4fba6",[],"What product is being binned faster than a salad at a potjie?",[],{"_key":366,"_type":42,"children":367,"markDefs":372,"style":80},"b201e3ce64b4",[368],{"_key":369,"_type":46,"marks":370,"text":371},"0366016e2152",[48],"Mistakes That Cost You Money",[],{"_key":374,"_type":42,"children":375,"markDefs":384,"style":55},"f09b52a707ca",[376,380],{"_key":377,"_type":46,"marks":378,"text":379},"2f9d6101091f",[48],"Waiting until February 27th: ",{"_key":381,"_type":46,"marks":382,"text":383},"37163445f5dd",[],"Do 2 hours monthly instead of 20 hours in panic mode.",[],{"_key":386,"_type":42,"children":387,"markDefs":396,"style":55},"97488d51704f",[388,392],{"_key":389,"_type":46,"marks":390,"text":391},"6fdbf9871fc9",[48],"No receipts = no claims: ",{"_key":393,"_type":46,"marks":394,"text":395},"8073897cb946",[],"Photo every receipt. Upload it to stub. Be a receipt hoarder.",[],{"_key":398,"_type":42,"children":399,"markDefs":408,"style":55},"f967aa47327e",[400,404],{"_key":401,"_type":46,"marks":402,"text":403},"ff5b152f79e3",[48],"Not saving for tax: ",{"_key":405,"_type":46,"marks":406,"text":407},"22f02b2941c0",[],"Move 25% of profit to a separate account immediately. Label it \"DO NOT TOUCH.\" This isn't a hard and fast rule but it will make sure you have started saving. ",[],{"_key":410,"_type":42,"children":411,"markDefs":420,"style":55},"78ee92c4873d",[412,416],{"_key":413,"_type":46,"marks":414,"text":415},"c9d791e8e083",[48],"Mixing business and personal: ",{"_key":417,"_type":46,"marks":418,"text":419},"82fb44b30e6e",[],"Separate bank accounts. Separate cards. Never mix - your books will thank you and this will save you a bunch of admin.",[],{"_key":422,"_type":42,"children":423,"markDefs":428,"style":80},"362cedbf194b",[424],{"_key":425,"_type":46,"marks":426,"text":427},"4f52db6b1240",[48],"The Bottom Line",[],{"_key":430,"_type":42,"children":431,"markDefs":436,"style":55},"630dc1e8d283",[432],{"_key":433,"_type":46,"marks":434,"text":435},"58ab75fa65e9",[],"Financial year end is basically like a homework check in from SARS. They want to see everything you’ve been up to.",[],{"_key":438,"_type":42,"children":439,"markDefs":444,"style":55},"9c89901f72c8",[440],{"_key":441,"_type":46,"marks":442,"text":443},"b5833fee4cb0",[],"You can do it, this is just a part of the journey of keeping a business alive. And if it really feels that bad - reach out to us, we’re always here. 💜",[],{"_key":446,"_type":42,"children":447,"markDefs":452,"style":55},"e3a997e0f8cd",[448],{"_key":449,"_type":46,"marks":450,"text":451},"e5fe1978209d",[],"Get it done.",[],{"_key":454,"_type":42,"children":455,"markDefs":460,"style":55},"3f2c6d77bbd7",[456],{"_key":457,"_type":46,"marks":458,"text":459},"8c1a0b023a03",[],"",[],{"_type":11,"asset":462},{"_ref":463,"_type":14},"image-abc7297cd9216a3a4890a29fae96fc7a8bfeb68e-9048x5108-jpg","2026-02-12",{"_type":466,"current":467},"slug","financial-year-end-what-it-actually-means-for-an-entrepreneur","The date you can't ignore. ","Accounting","Financial year end: What it actually means for an entrepreneur?","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>February 28\u003C\u002Fstrong> (or 29 if it's a leap year, because your receipts needed an extra day to leap out of your cubbyhole). That's when SARS expects your story straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Everything before this date? Handle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Everything after? Future you's problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>\u003Cstrong>Before Year-End: Your Checklist\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>1. Match Your Bank to Your Records\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Bank says R5,000 went out. Your records say R4,800. Find the R200.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>How:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Go line by line. Hunt duplicates. Fix mystery charges. That R200 from three months ago? Yeah, find it now or it will be lost in the ether forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>2. Chase Money You're Owed\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>That late Jan invoice? The "I'll pay you next week" one?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Chase it. Money owed before year-end = taxable income. Whether they paid or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cem>(Taxable income = Taxable income is the money you earned minus your business expenses - that’s what SARS taxes.)\u003C\u002Fem>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>3. Go Through Your Expenses\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Every legitimate business expense you prove = less tax.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Business or personal?\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Client lunch: Business ✅\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>That last-minute Valentine’s gift: Personal ❌ (unless your sweetheart is also your accountant 💘)\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Don't forget you may be able to claim:\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Car (If 40% of your driving is for business, you can claim 40% of fuel, maintenance, insurance, and other running costs.)\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>That Udemy or GetSmarter skills course you took\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>Bank fees, software, marketing\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>No receipt? Can't claim it. SARS doesn't do "trust me bro" (we know, it sucks).Your phone camera is your new best friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>4. Count Your Stock (If You Sell Products)\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Physically count everything. Write it down. Calculate value.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>50 candles × R30 (cost amount) = R1,500 stock value.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>No guessing. SARS wants numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>\u003Cstrong>At Year-End: What Happens\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Three things you should know\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What you made:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Money in - money out = profit (or loss)\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>What you own vs owe:\u003C\u002Fstrong> Look at what you have (money, stock, stuff) versus what you owe (bills, loans). Are you growing your business or falling behind?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Where money moved:\u003C\u002Fstrong> You might be making money, but if it’s all owed to others or not yet paid to you, you could still have very little cash to spend?\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>File Your Taxes\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cp>Tax is on PROFIT, not total income. You now have 7 months to submit your returns to SARS (September for most).\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Don't wait until September like some adrenaline junkie. Close off this last year - get is sorted, focus on the future\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch4>\u003Cstrong>Look Back, Plan Forward\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh4>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>What products made money? (Probably not what you thought). \u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>What expenses drained money?\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>What product is being binned faster than a salad at a potjie?\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Ch2>\u003Cstrong>Mistakes That Cost You Money\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Waiting until February 27th: \u003C\u002Fstrong>Do 2 hours monthly instead of 20 hours in panic mode.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>No receipts = no claims: \u003C\u002Fstrong>Photo every receipt. Upload it to stub. Be a receipt hoarder.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Not saving for tax: \u003C\u002Fstrong>Move 25% of profit to a separate account immediately. Label it "DO NOT TOUCH." This isn't a hard and fast rule but it will make sure you have started saving. \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>Mixing business and personal: \u003C\u002Fstrong>Separate bank accounts. Separate cards. Never mix - your books will thank you and this will save you a bunch of admin.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>\u003Cstrong>The Bottom Line\u003C\u002Fstrong>\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>Financial year end is basically like a homework check in from SARS. They want to see everything you’ve been up to.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>You can do it, this is just a part of the journey of keeping a business alive. And if it really feels that bad - reach out to us, we’re always here. 💜\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Get it done.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>","https:\u002F\u002Fcdn.sanity.io\u002Fimages\u002F59aqi1lf\u002Fproduction\u002Fabc7297cd9216a3a4890a29fae96fc7a8bfeb68e-9048x5108.jpg?w=1280"]