COIDA Letter of Good Standing expired: how validity works and how to get a new one

A COIDA Letter of Good Standing (LOGS) is valid only until the expiry date printed on it, and the Compensation Fund sets that date in line with the annual Return of Earnings cycle. To get a new letter you file the current Return of Earnings, pay the assessment in full and make sure the payment is allocated. Outstanding returns from earlier years, unpaid penalties or a payment the Fund cannot match will stop the new letter from being issued.

Last updated 13 November 2026

Key facts

Validity: Until the expiry date on the letter; check it on the Fund's Verify LOGS page
Extensions: The Fund can extend letters by notice, e.g. 2023-year letters extended to 30 June 2025 (Notice 3227 of 2025)
2026 season: ROE for the 2025 assessment period: 1 April to 30 June 2026 (Notice 3894 of 2026)
Letter wording: Certifies compliance with COIDA sections 80, 82, 86 and 89

How long a Letter of Good Standing is valid

Each LOGS shows an issue date and an expiry date. The Fund's Verify LOGS page returns both, and its instructions tell users to check the valid period. In recent years letters issued for one assessment year have run until shortly after the next Return of Earnings season opens, and the Fund has extended them by gazette notice when its systems were slow. In May 2025, for example, it extended letters issued for the 2023 assessment year to 30 June 2025.

Because the date is set by the Fund and can change, rely on the date printed on your letter and on the verification page, not on a rule of thumb. When the expiry date passes, your client or a tender office will treat you as not in good standing even if you have done nothing wrong.

What an expired letter means for your business

A Letter of Good Standing is evidence for other people. Main contractors, property managers and government buyers ask for it because section 89 of COIDA can make them liable for the assessments of a contractor that is not registered or has not paid. When your letter expires, they can check the Fund's record online and see the date has passed, so a contractor may stop you working on site or hold back payment until you produce a current letter.

For tenders, an expired letter on the closing date can make a bid non-responsive where the tender asks for one. Check the expiry date against every closing date you are working towards.

What you need to renew

There is no separate renewal form. A new letter follows from being up to date for the current cycle. The letter itself refers to COIDA sections 80, 82, 86 and 89: registration, returns of earnings, payment of assessments and the rules for contractors.

Registration details current: address, email, contact person and nature of business (changes must be reported within 7 days)
Return of Earnings filed for the current season on CF Online
All earlier years filed: outstanding returns block compliance
Assessment paid in full, including any penalties and interest
Payment allocated to your account with the correct reference
Audit documents submitted if your return was flagged

What usually blocks a new letter

The most common blocker is a missing Return of Earnings for an earlier year. The Fund can raise an estimated assessment for that year with a penalty, and that debt then stands in the way. The Fund's September 2026 notice gave a final reminder for 2025 and earlier returns.

The next is money: an assessment not yet paid, a short payment that leaves penalties or interest outstanding, or a payment made to an old account or with the wrong reference that has not been allocated. Since 1 August 2025 the Fund only accepts ROE payments into its designated Nedbank contribution account.

Finally, an audit flag. If the Fund flags your return, it asks for documents such as the EMP501, a payroll report and financial statements before it clears you.

Check that your registration details are current as well. If the nature of business, address or email on your Compensation Fund record is out of date, notices may go to the wrong place and you may not see an assessment or audit request until a letter is refused.

If you need a letter urgently

Start with what you control: file every outstanding return, pay the full balance using the correct reference, and send proof of payment if the payment is not reflecting. Then request the letter on CF Online. The Fund does not commit to a turnaround, so allow time before a tender closing date.

Be careful of anyone who offers to fast-track a letter for a fee or asks you to pay into a private account. Only the Fund issues the letter, and the person you give it to can check it online in seconds.

Step by step

1
Check your current status
Enter your certificate number on cfonline.labour.gov.za/VerifyLOGS to see the expiry date the Fund holds.
2
File all outstanding returns
Submit the current season's ROE and any earlier missing years on CF Online.
3
Pay and confirm allocation
Pay the full balance with the reference that starts with 99, and check that it shows against the right year.
4
Request the new letter
Once your account is clear, generate or request the Letter of Good Standing on CF Online and verify it on the Verify LOGS page.

Rather have it handled for you?

Renew your COIDA Letter of Good Standing

Frequently asked questions

How long is a COIDA Letter of Good Standing valid?

Until the expiry date printed on it. The Fund sets that date for each cycle and has extended it by notice in some years, so check the date on the letter and on the Verify LOGS page.

Can I renew an expired Letter of Good Standing without filing an ROE?

No. A new letter depends on the current Return of Earnings being filed and the assessment paid and allocated.

Why won't CF Online issue my Letter of Good Standing?

Usually because a return for an earlier year is outstanding, an assessment, penalty or interest is unpaid, a payment is unallocated, or the return has been flagged for audit.

My letter expired during the ROE season. Is it extended automatically?

Only if the Fund publishes an extension notice. It did so in 2025, but you should not assume it will every year.

Official sources

This guide explains the general rules. Requirements and portal steps change, so check the official source before you file.