Ok, so you got your payslip and saw PAYE, UIF and SDL on it but have no clue what they are.
PAYE (Pay As You Earn):
PAYE is the income tax that your employer deducts from your salary per month. This amount is calculated by determining your annual remuneration, calculating your annual tax according to the tax tables for the year, and dividing it by twelve months. There are, however, other factors that can affect your income tax liability for a year, e.g. medical aid contributions, pension fund etc.
Visit the SARS website for the current tax tables.
UIF (Unemployment Insurance Fund):
UIF is calculated at 2% of your remuneration for the month. 1% is deducted from your remuneration, and 1% is contributed (paid) by your employer. The 1% deducted from your remuneration is limited to a maximum of R177.12 per month, and therefore the 1% contributed by your employer is also limited to R177.12 per month. Therefore a total of R354.24 will be contributed to UIF per month at a maximum.
The UIF contributions paid every month will enable you to apply for UIF benefits in the unfortunate event that you find yourself unemployed or are on unpaid maternity, adoption or illness leave. For more information regarding this, visit the Department of Labour and uFiling websites.
SDL (Skills Development Levy):
SDL is calculated at 1% of your remuneration for the month. This is contributed (paid) by the employer and is not deducted from your remuneration. This, however, does not have a limit, as in the case of UIF.
SDL is to encourage employers to further the learning and development of their employees.