COIDA and the annual return of earnings

Registration and employer duties

• Register with the Compensation Fund when you first employ staff
• Submit the annual return of earnings (ROE) by the published deadline
• Pay the assessment raised on declared earnings
• Report workplace injuries and occupational diseases within the prescribed periods
• Keep earnings and injury records available for inspection

How the assessment works

The Compensation Fund applies a tariff based on the employer's industry classification to the earnings declared for the assessment year. Higher-risk industries carry higher tariffs, which is why an incorrect industry classification can materially overstate or understate the assessment.

Earnings per employee are also subject to a prescribed maximum for assessment purposes.

Payroll data behind the return

The ROE depends on accurate earnings totals per employee for the assessment period, split correctly between included and excluded earnings types. This comes directly from payroll, which is why payroll reporting should be able to produce it without a manual rebuild.

Letter of good standing

A letter of good standing confirms that returns are submitted and assessments paid. It is commonly required to tender for work, to be appointed as a contractor and to satisfy client vendor-vetting, so lapses have commercial consequences beyond the statutory ones.