South African tax invoices with every SARS detail
Choose South Africa once and WhizInvoice sets up rand, VAT at 15%, your VAT number and the Tax invoice title. Here is what SARS expects on full and abridged tax invoices, and what changed in 2026.
What changed in 2026
VAT remains at the standard rate of 15%. The bigger change is registration: from 1 April 2026 the compulsory threshold rose from R1 million to R2.3 million of taxable supplies a year, and the voluntary threshold rose from R50,000 to R120,000. SARS applies the new thresholds from that date, and its FAQs, last updated in August 2026, note that the amending law had not yet been promulgated.
If you are registered and your supplies are now below R2.3 million, you may apply to deregister, but nothing happens automatically. You keep charging VAT and filing returns until SARS confirms the cancellation, and deregistering has VAT consequences for the business assets you hold, so speak to your accountant first.
South African VAT at a glance
- VAT rate
- 15% standard rate. Some supplies are zero-rated or exempt.
- Compulsory registration
- Taxable supplies of more than R2.3 million a year, from 1 April 2026 (previously R1 million).
- Voluntary registration
- Taxable supplies of more than R120,000 a year (previously R50,000).
- Full tax invoice
- For supplies over R5,000 including VAT: the words tax invoice, VAT invoice or invoice; your name, address and VAT registration number; the customer’s name, address and VAT registration number; a serial number and date; a full and proper description; the quantity or volume; and the price and VAT.
- Abridged tax invoice
- For supplies of R5,000 or less: the same, without the customer’s details or the quantity. Not allowed for zero-rated supplies, which always need a full tax invoice.
- Small sales
- R50 or less: no tax invoice needed, but keep a till slip or similar document showing the VAT.
- Showing the VAT
- Any of three methods: every amount (price, VAT and total), the total with the VAT rate, or the total with the VAT amount.
- When to issue
- Within 21 days of the supply, whether or not the customer asks.
- Quoted prices
- VAT must be included in all prices you advertise or quote.
- Tax number label
- VAT registration number
- Currency
- South African rand, ZAR (R). Tax invoices must be in rand, except for zero-rated supplies.
- Date format
- YYYY/MM/DD in the WhizInvoice preset. Change it to DD/MM/YYYY in Settings if your customers prefer.
- Paper size
- A4
- E-invoicing
- Not required yet. SARS published a VAT Modernisation Consultation Paper in August 2026 proposing e-invoicing and e-reporting, to be introduced in phases after consultation.
Sources: South African Revenue Service (sars.gov.za): VAT 404 Guide for Vendors, the Budget 2026 VAT FAQs, VAT tax rates, obligations of a VAT vendor and the August 2026 VAT modernisation release, checked October 2026.
How WhizInvoice handles South African VAT
Choose South Africa in Settings and the basics are done. Each setting can still be changed.
The South Africa preset
Rand, VAT at 15%, the VAT number label, the Tax invoice title, YYYY/MM/DD dates and A4 paper, all in one step.
VAT inclusive quotes
Because quoted prices must include VAT, turn on prices including tax. Your quotes and invoices then show VAT inclusive amounts, with the VAT worked out of them.
Full tax invoices by default
Your name, address and VAT number print on every invoice, and so do the customer’s address and VAT number once saved on their record, so jobs over R5,000 are covered.
Numbered and dated for you
Every invoice gets the next serial number and today’s date as you create it, so your numbers run in order without retyping.
EFT details on the invoice
Add your bank, branch code and account number as payment instructions, or a card payment link, so customers can pay the day it arrives.
Deposits before you start
On Solo and above, send a quote with a deposit, then take the deposit off the final invoice automatically.
A full tax invoice over R5,000
A gate motor and alarm job for a body corporate. It is over R5,000 including VAT, so it is a full tax invoice with the customer’s details and VAT at 15%.
Example only, with a fictional business and customer. Your invoices use your own details, tax settings and design.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sliding gate motor, supplied and installed | 1 | R4,800.00 | R4,800.00 |
| Gate remote control | 3 | R250.00 | R750.00 |
| Alarm service and backup battery replacement | 1 | R1,150.00 | R1,150.00 |
Good to know
Is VAT still 15%?
Yes. SARS confirms the standard rate of 15% for 2026, and the threshold changes from 1 April 2026 did not change the rate.
Do I have to register if my supplies are under R2.3 million?
No. Since 1 April 2026 registration is compulsory only above R2.3 million a year. You can register voluntarily once your taxable supplies are over R120,000.
When can I use an abridged tax invoice?
For supplies of R5,000 or less including VAT, as long as the supply is not zero-rated. It leaves out the customer’s details and the quantity.
Must my quotes include VAT?
Yes. SARS expects a vendor to include VAT in all prices it advertises or quotes, and WhizInvoice can show your prices VAT inclusive.
How soon must I issue a tax invoice?
Within 21 days of making the supply, even if the customer has not asked for one.
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