Many businesses are currently receiving notices from the Information Regulator regarding PAIA Annual Returns. This is a legitimate compliance requirement that now applies to most entities, including SMEs.

 

🔎 What is PAIA?

The Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) allows individuals to request access to information held by businesses.

As part of this, organisations are required to track and report on any such requests annually.

 

⚖️ Why must you comply?

PAIA compliance is a legal requirement and forms part of your broader POPIA and data governance obligations.

The Information Regulator monitors compliance and requires annual reporting from all applicable entities.

 

👥 Who must comply?

This applies to most South African entities, including:

• Companies (Pty Ltd)
• Close Corporations
• Many trusts

👉 Each entity must have an appointed Information Officer (typically a director).

🖥️ Registration – where and how?

Businesses must be registered on the Information Regulator’s eServices platform:

• eServices portal: https://eservices.inforegulator.org.za

✅ Only registered Information Officers can submit returns

✅ Incorrect or outdated details may prevent submission

 

📅 Annual filing requirement

All entities must submit a PAIA Annual Return confirming:

• Requests for information received, and
• How those requests were processed

📌 Filing period: 1 April 2026 – 30 June 2026

📌 Deadline: 30 June 2026

👉 A nil return is generally required even if no requests were received.

 

✅ Key takeaway

PAIA is now a standard annual compliance requirement — similar to CIPC and SARS filings — and should not be ignored.

 

🤝How Tax A Sured Can Assist

At Tax A Sured (Pty) Ltd, we understand that compliance requirements continue to evolve and can place additional pressure on business owners already managing multiple regulatory obligations.

We can assist with:

• Registering your entity on the Information Regulator portal
• Reviewing or updating the Information Officer details
• Preparing and submitting your PAIA Annual Return
• Ensuring your business remains compliant ahead of the deadline

Early preparation is recommended to avoid last-minute submission issues or registration delays.

 

Final Thoughts

PAIA compliance is no longer something businesses can afford to overlook. As regulatory oversight continues to increase, businesses should ensure that their information governance obligations are properly managed and submitted on time.

If you are uncertain whether your business is required to file, or if you need assistance with registration or submission, professional guidance can help ensure that your entity remains compliant before the 30 June 2026 deadline.

 

⚠️ Disclaimer

This newsletter is intended as a general overview of PAIA requirements and should not be regarded as formal legal advice. The application of these rules may vary depending on your specific circumstances.

👉 If you are unsure whether this applies to your business or need assistance, please contact us to ensure compliance before the 30 June 2026 deadline.