South Africa VAT invoice template

How to use this south africa vat invoice

1. Add your business name, address and VAT registration number in the “Tax / VAT ID” field. It shows as “VAT no.” on the invoice.
2. Add your customer’s name and address, and their VAT number if they are registered.
3. List the goods or services with quantities and prices excluding VAT.
4. Check that Tax in Totals is 15% with the label VAT.
5. Add your EFT details in the notes, then download the PDF.

What a SARS full tax invoice must show

For larger sales, SARS expects a full tax invoice with:

• the words “Tax invoice”, “VAT invoice” or “Invoice”
• your name, address and VAT registration number
• the customer’s name, address and, if registered, VAT number
• a unique serial number and the date of issue
• a full description of the goods or services, and the quantity or volume
• the value excluding VAT, the VAT charged and the total including VAT (or the VAT-inclusive total and the VAT amount at 15%)

Smaller sales can use an abridged tax invoice with fewer details. The full layout here is always accepted. Check SARS’s VAT guide for vendors for the current value limits.

Not VAT-registered, and e-invoicing plans

Not registered? Don’t charge VAT, show a VAT number or use the words “Tax invoice”. Set Tax to “No tax” and use a normal invoice template. Registration is compulsory once your taxable supplies go over the SARS threshold; check the current figure on sars.gov.za.

E-invoicing: South Africa has passed a legal framework for e-invoicing and SARS has consulted on a phased model, but there is no mandate in force yet. Until SARS announces dates, a PDF tax invoice is still acceptable. Keep an eye on SARS’s VAT modernisation updates.

Related tools & guides

• Invoice templateA blank invoice template that does the maths for you.
• How to number invoicesEvery invoice needs a unique number so you and your client can track it.
• Zimbabwe invoiceSet up for Zimbabwean businesses: US dollars, your ZIMRA TIN on the invoice and an optional VAT line.
• What is a tax invoice?A tax invoice meets VAT or GST rules so your customer can claim the tax back. What it must show, plus the rules in the UK, Australia and Canada.