How do I use uFiling to declare and pay UIF for my domestic worker?
Short answer
uFiling (ufiling.labour.gov.za) is the Department of Employment and Labour's free online system for UIF. As a domestic employer you register a domestic-employer account, add your worker's details, then each month declare their pay and submit the UIF contribution — 1% deducted from the worker plus 1% from you, capped on earnings up to R17 712, so at most R177.12 from each side. The monthly declaration is due by the 7th of the following month, and uFiling lets you pay by debit order or EFT.
Step by step
1Go to ufiling.labour.gov.za and create a domestic-employer account.
2Register your employer profile with your ID and contact details (within 14 days of becoming liable).
3Add the worker: 13-digit ID, start date and monthly pay.
4Each month, declare the pay — uFiling calculates 1% + 1% up to the R17 712 ceiling (max R177.12 each).
5Submit the declaration and pay by debit order or EFT by the 7th of the following month.
6Lodge a UI-19 whenever the worker starts, changes or leaves; show the 1% deduction on the payslip.
What uFiling is for
uFiling handles the whole UIF lifecycle online: registering as an employer, adding and updating workers, submitting monthly declarations, paying contributions, and lodging the UI-19 when employment starts or ends. For a single domestic worker it's far simpler than paper UI-8D/UI-19 forms. If you haven't registered for UIF yet, start with our guide on how to register a domestic worker for UIF.
Registering and adding your worker
Create a uFiling account and register a domestic-employer profile using your ID and contact details. Once your employer reference is active, add the worker: their 13-digit ID, start date and monthly pay. This builds the record the worker relies on for any future claim. Register within 14 days of becoming liable (i.e. once the worker does more than 24 hours a month).
The monthly declaration and payment
Each month you declare the worker's pay for the period and uFiling calculates the 2% contribution — 1% you deduct from the worker and 1% you add — on earnings up to the R17 712 ceiling, so each side is capped at R177.12. Submit the declaration and pay by the 7th of the following month, by debit order or EFT through the portal. Show the 1% worker deduction on the payslip every month so it reconciles.
Keeping it clean
Declare every month, even if pay is unchanged, and lodge a UI-19 promptly if the worker leaves or their details change. Up-to-date declarations are what make a UIF claim (unemployment, maternity or illness) possible for the worker, and they keep you clear of penalties and interest. Our UIF calculator helps you check the exact figure before you file.
Frequently asked questions
Is uFiling free to use?
Yes. uFiling (ufiling.labour.gov.za) is the Department of Employment and Labour's free online UIF system for employers, including domestic employers.
When is the monthly UIF declaration due?
By the 7th of the following month. You declare the worker's pay and pay the 1% + 1% contribution (capped at R177.12 each on earnings up to R17 712).
Do I have to declare every month even if nothing changes?
Yes. Submit a declaration each month so the worker's record stays current and your account avoids penalties and interest.
What if my worker leaves?
Lodge a UI-19 on uFiling to declare the termination, so the worker can claim any UIF benefits they're owed.
Dignita is a compliance tool, not legal advice. Figures are based on current South African legislation; confirm with a labour-law professional for your situation.