VAT Invoice Template South Africa

Create SARS-compliant tax invoices that meet all Section 20 requirements. Full and abridged invoices explained with examples.

Two types of VAT invoice

The VAT Act distinguishes between two types of tax invoice based on the total amount:

Full tax invoice requirements (Section 20)

• The words 'Tax Invoice' displayed prominently
• Supplier's name, address, and VAT registration number
• Recipient's name, address, and VAT number (for invoices over R5,000)
• Unique serial/invoice number
• Date of issue
• Description of goods or services supplied
• Quantity or volume of goods (where applicable)
• Value of supply excluding VAT
• Rate of VAT charged (15% standard or 0% zero-rated)
• Amount of VAT charged
• Total consideration including VAT

Abridged tax invoice requirements

• The words 'Tax Invoice'
• Supplier's name, address, and VAT registration number
• Unique serial/invoice number
• Date of issue
• Description of goods or services
• The total consideration including VAT
• A statement that VAT is included (e.g., 'incl. 15% VAT')

Example: Full VAT invoice

A sample VAT invoice PDF.

VAT registration thresholds

Common VAT invoice mistakes

• Missing the words 'Tax Invoice'. SARS requires this exact phrase.
• Not showing your VAT number. The buyer cannot claim input VAT without it.
• Incorrect VAT calculation. It must be exactly 15% of the excl. VAT amount.
• Missing buyer details on invoices over R5,000. These are required for full tax invoices.
• Charging VAT when not registered. This is illegal and can result in penalties.
• Not issuing within 21 days of supply. This is the Section 20(1) deadline.

Create a VAT invoice and send it on WhatsApp

The free tax invoice generator titles the document Tax Invoice and has VAT switched on by default. Here is a worked example: a consultant invoicing Dlala Media for 40 hours of consulting at R950, a workshop at R8,500 and travel of R1,200.

• Supplier details: your business name, address and VAT registration number, plus your banking details.
• Recipient details: Dlala Media and its address. The total is over R5,000, so this is a full tax invoice: add the client VAT number in the client address field.
• Invoice number and date: type the next number in your own sequence and the date of issue.
• Line items: consulting with quantity 40 at R950 (R38,000), workshop with quantity 1 at R8,500, and travel with quantity 1 at R1,200.
• Check the totals: value excluding VAT R47,700, VAT at 15% R7,155, total including VAT R54,855.
• VAT rate: the rate is editable, so you can set it to 0% for a zero-rated supply.

When the preview looks right, click Download PDF and choose Save as PDF in the print dialog. Nothing is stored on wabill and refreshing the page clears the form, so save the PDF to your phone or computer before you close the tab, and keep a copy for your records. To send it, open the chat with your client in WhatsApp, tap attach and choose Document (not Gallery), so the PDF arrives uncompressed and easy to print. Check your VAT number and the recipient details on the preview before you save, because the client needs a correct tax invoice to claim input VAT.