Calculate the UIF contribution
The employee contribution is the amount deducted from the employee's pay and shown as the UIF line on the payslip. The employer contribution is paid by the employer on top — it is never deducted from the employee.
What UIF is, in plain terms
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) is South Africa's safety net for workers: it pays benefits when someone loses a job, takes maternity leave, or is unable to work through illness or injury. It is funded by contributions on almost every payslip in the country — 1% of remuneration deducted from the employee, plus another 1% paid by the employer.
The ceiling, explained
Contributions are not calculated on unlimited pay. Remuneration above the ceiling of R17,712 per month is ignored for UIF purposes, which is why the employee deduction stops at R177.12 per month no matter how high the salary. For staff paid weekly or fortnightly, the ceiling is applied pro rata — R4,087.38 per week or R8,174.77 per fortnight — and this calculator applies the matching cap when you change the pay period.
Who must contribute — and register
If an employee works more than 24 hours per month for you, you must register as an employer with the UIF and deduct and pay contributions. That applies to companies, small shops, farms and contractors — and to household employers of domestic workers, gardeners and carers.
A payslip is not registration
Generating a payslip with a UIF line does not register you with the Fund. Registration, monthly declarations and payment happen on uFiling (or SARS eFiling). The payslip simply keeps a clear record of the 1% employee deduction so your payroll records line up with your UIF declarations. Once you know the figure, put it straight onto a proper payslip with the free payslip generator.
Frequently asked questions
What is UIF and who must contribute?
The Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) provides short-term relief to workers who lose their jobs, are on maternity leave, or cannot work due to illness. Almost every employee in South Africa contributes: 1% of remuneration is deducted from the employee's pay and the employer adds another 1% (not deducted from pay), so 2% of remuneration goes to the Fund in total.
What is the UIF ceiling?
Contributions are calculated on remuneration up to a ceiling of R17,712 per month. On pay above the ceiling, contributions are calculated on R17,712 only, so the maximum employee deduction is R177.12 per month and the employer's maximum is the same. For weekly paid staff the pro-rata ceiling is R4,087.38 (maximum R40.87) and for fortnightly paid staff R8,174.77 (maximum R81.75).
Who must register for UIF?
An employer must register with the UIF if an employee works more than 24 hours per month for them. Registration and monthly declarations are done via uFiling (or through SARS eFiling for employers registered there). The obligation applies to businesses and to household employers, such as people employing a domestic worker.
Does putting UIF on a payslip register me with the UIF?
No. Showing the UIF deduction on a payslip is only a record of what was deducted. Registration, declarations and payment to the Fund are separate steps the employer must complete on uFiling or SARS eFiling. This calculator and the payslip generator assume you are registered (or in the process of registering).
How is UIF calculated for weekly or fortnightly paid staff?
The same 1% + 1% applies, but the monthly ceiling is converted pro rata: the weekly ceiling is R4,087.38 and the fortnightly ceiling is R8,174.77. If pay for the week or fortnight exceeds the ceiling, contributions are calculated on the ceiling amount only. Use the pay-period selector in the calculator above to apply the right ceiling.