How to Become A VAT Registered In South Africa

VAT registration is the process of listing your business with the government as active in production and sales. After a business registers for VAT, it’s able to reclaim any VAT paid on company purchases and becomes responsible for: Charging VAT on any goods or services sold (and charging the right amount!)

Is it better to be VAT registered?

If you sell to VAT registered businesses they can reclaim the VAT from HMRC so your selling price is still competitive and you will be able to recover the VAT on your costs. Maintaining up to date records will provide better information for running your business.

Is being VAT registered good or bad?

However, being VAT registered is definitely not a bad thing; it’s just extra work. Value Added Tax is generally a good thing. It isn’t really “dodged” as such, because ultimately it is the end-customer who is charged an extra 20%.

What qualifies you to be VAT registered?

You must register for VAT if your VAT taxable turnover goes over £85,000 (the ‘threshold’), or you know that it will. Your VAT taxable turnover is the total of everything sold that is not VAT exempt. You can also register voluntarily.

How to Become A VAT Registered In South Africa

How long does VAT registration take in South Africa?

If you registered via the SARS eFiling system, your profile will be activated within 48 hours.

If it takes any longer, you are advised to contact SARS. Otherwise, via manual registration, it takes anywhere from 10 days After successful registration, you will receive notice through:

The eFiling system a) Log onto the eFiling system.

b) Key in your credentials/VAT number.

c) View your status and update it if necessary.

The email address provided upon registration SMS through a registered mobile phone number Before your number is issued, you are free to continue business operations as you wait for it.

How do I search/ check my VAT number status?

You can do either a partial or exact VAT vendor search depending on whether you are a registered eFiler.

Simply key in the VAT Number and the Vendors Trading Name Click search Depending on the User type, registered or not, the results will yield either a partial or exact business match respectively.

Conducting a vendor search is necessary when filing for input tax returns with SARS or just to confirm whether a certain company is indeed registered.

With the required documents and well-filled-in forms, it is very easy to complete the registration without any trouble. If you are unable to follow the VAT registration requirements appropriately, it is best to seek the help of a certified tax practitioner.

The good news is that the eFiling system has made this registration process such a hustle free affair. You can now handle it right from the comfort of your home or office.

VAT REGISTRATION I HOW TO REGISTER FOR VAT FAST

If you are a South African entrepreneur wondering how to register for VAT fast in South Africa, you’ve come to the right page.

On this page, we will show you how to register for VAT in South Africa is the fastest way possible. We’ll also list the requirements for voluntary and mandatory VAT and we’ll answer some frequently asked questions on VAT in South Africa.

We’re going to do our best to explain VAT in South Africa in general terms. This page is not a substitute for legal advice. It’s designed to give you an overview of VAT in South Africa. Please connect with our Tax Practitioners or with SARS for the T’s & C’s, exemptions and changes to VAT regulations.

Let’s start with two of the fastest ways you can register for VAT in South Africa and why these two methods are faster. If you have more basic questions, scroll down.

If you are a South African entrepreneur wondering how to register for VAT fast in South Africa, you’ve come to the right page.

How to register for VAT fast

On this page, we will show you how to register for VAT in South Africa is the fastest way possible. We’ll also list the requirements for voluntary and mandatory VAT and we’ll answer some frequently asked questions on VAT in South Africa.

We’re going to do our best to explain VAT in South Africa in general terms. This page is not a substitute for legal advice. It’s designed to give you an overview of VAT in South Africa. Please connect with our Tax Practitioners or with SARS for the T’s & C’s, exemptions and changes to VAT regulations.

Let’s start with two of the fastest ways you can register for VAT in South Africa and why these two methods are faster. If you have more basic questions, scroll down.

How long does VAT registration usually take in South Africa?

VAT registration at SARS can take between 10 days up to 2 months, depending on whether you already have a trading CIPC-registered company and how long SARS’s processing takes.

The South African revenue department (SARS) is responsible for VAT (Value-added Tax) administration. When you work directly with the SARS department, VAT registration usually takes a month. If you do not have a trading company yet, VAT Registration may take up to 2 months, because the regulation requires that you have a trading business before you can register for VAT.

We’ve developed a faster and simpler route. See below.

What is the easiest and the fastest way to register for VAT in South Africa?

Don’t want to struggle with VAT paperwork? That is why we’ve developed a few options that cut the typical VAT timeframes by more than half the time. These two solutions are also SARS-issued VAT processes; however, our VAT specialists do all the paperwork on your behalf.

Here are 3 other ways we cut the standard VAT registration waiting times in South Africa in half.

No queues & no confusing paperwork: This means you don’t have to queue at SARS or figure out complex VAT paperwork.

Specialist administration: Our specialists have worked with the SARS Department for over 14 years; they know exactly what to do to ensure you get your VAT as soon as possible without delays.

100% Online: We’ve also developed a sophisticated online system that allows you to order and get your VAT Registration 100% online. Our system keeps you updated on the entire process by email and SMS.

If you’d like to order one of these services, connect with a dedicated consultant or scroll down to our online order form.

Here are our Tax Practitioners who ensure your VAT services are processed as soon as possible.

What are the requirements for VAT registration in South Africa?

 A (1) trading CIPC-registered company/organisation with (2) a bank account, (3) invoices or purchase orders to showcase you are trading and (4) proof of a South African address.

* We can assist you even if you do not have a trading CIPC-registered company yet.

What are the benefits of registering for VAT? 

Wondering whether VAT registration is good or bad for your business’s long-term growth? Here are the 3 benefits to VAT registration.

The most significant benefit to voluntary VAT registration is your eligibility for growth opportunities. Contracts, RFQs and Tenders often request a VAT number.

Numerous Service Provider Listings also require VAT numbers. It may also simplify your invoicing, as many companies request VAT invoices or quotations.   

What is VAT (with an example) and how does VAT work in South Africa?

 VAT is short for Value-Added-Tax. SARS describes VAT as an indirect form of tax that is added to the price of consumable goods or services. This tax is usually added to every step of the production and trade process. Currently, the VAT in South Africa is generally 15% for most goods and services.

When a company adds 15% VAT to a product’s cost, this implies the product costs is 115% rather than 100%. The additional 15% is a form of tax that goes to SARS. With cross-border-trade, Customs may also be involved.

You can refer to this helpful VAT Legal Counsel Guide from SARS for extensive details on VAT in South Africa for Vendors (Businesses who are eligible for mandatory Tax Registration).

Here’s a general example.

When you buy a burger at a well-known South African restaurant, it’s pretty likely you’re paying 115% of the cost rather than 100%. The restaurant pays the additional 15% to SARS. The restaurant can also claim back the VAT they’ve paid on most of their business expenses.

If the amount a business owes SARS is less than the amount paid in VAT, SARS will pay you the difference.

Unfortunately, you as a South African consumer, cannot claim back VAT on goods and services in South Africa. There is an exemption that applies when you’re a tourist. Companies who aren’t registered for VAT, cannot claim back VAT either.

It’s also important to note that not all items or service have value-added-tax. Some things are exempt in South Africa and some things are taxed at 0%. Take a look at our “Do all goods and services have VAT in South Africa?” section.

Here’s another example of how VAT works (with a pricing example)

A VAT-registered company, called Buono Gelato, sells one of their ice creams for R10. R10 is 100% of the price. However, Buono Gelato is registered for VAT which means they need to add 15% VAT on top of the R10 cost to its clients.

That means the ice cream now costs R11.50 (or 115% of the original price) to any client. The additional R1.5 (or 15%) does not belong to the company; it’s a tax that’s owed to SARS.

On the flip side, when Buono Gelato uses any services or buys any goods, like ice cream cones, from VAT-registered companies, Buono Gelato can claim back the VAT paid from SARS. 

This means on an R1.15 cone, Buono Gelato, can claim back 15 cents (or the 15% paid additionally to the 100%). In fact, Buono Gelato can claim back the additional 15% paid on most of its business expenses from SARS.

Do all goods and services have VAT in South Africa?

No, certain items are taxed at 0% VAT, others are VAT exempt and then there’s also deemed supplies.

The most significant difference between VAT exempt and 0% VAT is your eligibility to register or claim VAT. VAT exemption means you cannot register or claim VAT back at all.

Deemed supplies can be quite complex to understand, but in short, there are exchanges where you do pay an output tax even if you haven’t sold or bought anything.

Here’s a list of VAT exempt items in South Africa in 2020

These items aren’t submitted for VAT purposes and it disallows VAT registration. There are often other forms of tax added to these services.

Service-related to insurance, finance and credit

Education and training services

Charity fundraising events

The subscriptions of membership organisations

When you sell, rent or lease commercial properties or buildings (this can be waived)

Here’s the latest list, full-on VAT exempt items in South Africa for 2020

Here’s a list of 0% VAT items in South Africa in 2020

Exports, international transport services, goods that are subject to petrol or diesel levies and foods that are considered a necessity like:

samp

maize meal

brown wheaten meal

brown bread

rice

vegetables

fruits

vegetable oil

mealie rice

pilchards in tins

eggs

milk

dairy powder blend

cultured milk

milk powder

dried mealies

lentils

edible legumes and pulses of leguminous plants

dried beans

 * It’s important to note that various production factors affect how items are classified. For e.g. any ready-made meals cannot be zero-rated, regardless of the ingredients used.

When do you have to register for VAT?

VAT registration is mandatory for any entity who earns more than R1 million over the course of 12 consecutive months. Any entity that’s required to register for VAT is referred to as a Vendor by SARS. Vendors can be individuals, trust funds, partnerships, businesses, organisations, foreign donor funds or municipalities.

You must register for VAT within 21 days of exceeding R1 million.

Your business is eligible for voluntary VAT registration when you exceed R50 000 over the same period of 12 months. Microbusinesses registered for Turnover Tax can also voluntarily register if they meet all the requirements.

If you’re unsure if you meet the requirements for voluntary registration, give our VAT specialists a call on our 100% toll-free number.

How do you register for VAT in South Africa?

You can either register at your local SARS branch or via eFiling by completing a VAT 101 – Application for Registration form.

However, a simpler alternative would be to book a free consultation call with one of our VAT specialists. Your dedicated specialist will walk you through the registration process step-by-step.

When should VAT Returns be submitted in South Africa?

The usual period is 2 months, however, if you earn more than R30 000 over 2 months, you’ll have to submit your VAT Returns monthly.

When can you reclaim VAT?

If you’re registered for VAT you can reclaim the VAT you’ve paid on any service or good that’s a business expense. These exclude anything that’s used for entertainment purposes like club memberships (even if it’s used for your business).

Although it’s not often, sometimes you pay more VAT in business expenses than you owe to SARS in terms of the VAT you’ve added to product/service, SARS owes you a refund.

Naturally, you cannot claim the VAT back on any VAT exemption or 0% VAT items, because essentially you did not pay any VAT on these items.

For this process, you need to submit a refund return to SARS. SARS has to pay you within 21 days starting from the day that you submit your full refund return.

There are some fantastic examples on VAT, and how it work, in SARS’s website.

What happens if you don’t pay VAT?

If you pay your due VAT late, there’s a 10% penalty on the outstanding tax. Interest is also added to the amount you owe every month after you don’t pay your past tax period’s due payments.

There are also other administrative and non-compliance penalties which essentially ensure that businesses don’t overstate how much VAT they pay or understate how much they collect. You can read more about these VAT penalties here.

What does a Tax Invoice look like?

 There are a few particulars that differentiate a normal invoice from a Tax invoice, Here’s a quick guide of what you need to have on your invoice in order to classify it as Tax Invoice.

The use of the term “Tax Invoice”

Your details, the supplier, in full: your business name, your business address and your VAT number.

The full details of your client (their name, address and VAT number)

An Invoice Number that’s unique and serialized in a way that logically makes your varying invoices identifiable (according to the date issued for e.g.)

A full description of your product or services offered

The exact quantity of the products you’re offering or for example the exact hours you’re invoicing for.

The individual cost of each product/hour

The total cost of all the products/hours

The value of the VAT you’ve added

Your price before you’ve added the VAT

Your final price after you’ve added the VAT

How much does it cost to register for VAT in South Africa?

VAT is now levied at the standard rate of 15% on the supply of goods and services by registered vendors. The tax rate was 14% until 31 March 2018. A vendor making taxable supplies of more than R1 million per annum must register for VAT.

What qualifies you to be VAT registered?

You must register for VAT if your VAT taxable turnover goes over £85,000 (the ‘threshold’), or you know that it will. Your VAT taxable turnover is the total of everything sold that is not VAT exempt. You can also register voluntarily.

Who should register for VAT in South Africa?

You must register your business for Value Added Tax (VAT) if the total value of taxable goods or services is more than R1 million in a 12-month period, or is expected to exceed this amount. A business may also register voluntarily if the income earned in the past 12-month period exceeded R50 000.

Can you choose to be VAT registered?

However, you can also voluntarily choose to register your business. Registering for VAT can ensure that you are ready to grow as a business – creating a positive impression about your intent – and allows you to reclaim VAT on purchases you make.

Can I register for VAT with no turnover in South Africa?

It is mandatory for any business to register for VAT if the income earned in any consecutive twelve month period exceeded or is likely to exceed R1 million​. Any business may choose to register voluntarily if the income earned, in the past twelve month period, exceeded R50 000.

How do I register for VAT in South Africa?

Follow the easy steps below to register for VAT on eFiling:

Logon to your eFiling profile.

Navigate to SARS Registered Details functionality:

Select Maintain SARS Registered Details.

The Maintain SARS Registered Details screen will display. .

Click VAT under My tax products > Revenue on the left menu.

Can a sole proprietor register for VAT in South Africa?

A person who practices as a sole proprietor and who has annual taxable supplies of less than R2. 5 million may apply to be registered on a cash basis for VAT purposes. It is also worth noting that VAT registration attaches to a person.

Is being VAT registered good or bad?

However, being VAT registered is definitely not a bad thing; it’s just extra work. Value Added Tax is generally a good thing. It isn’t really “dodged” as such, because ultimately it is the end-customer who is charged an extra 20%.