The tax invoice template, SARS-ready.

Guide

What must be on a tax invoice in South Africa.

If you are registered for VAT, the invoice you give a customer for a taxable supply must be a tax invoice. What it must show depends on the amount:

1. Over R5,000: a full tax invoice. The words “tax invoice”; your name, address and VAT number; your customer’s name, address and, if they are a vendor, their VAT number; an invoice number and the date; a description and quantity of what you supplied; and the value, the VAT charged and the total.
2. R50 to R5,000: an abridged tax invoice. The same, but without your customer’s name, address and VAT number.
3. Under R50: no tax invoice is needed; a till slip or receipt is enough.
4. Timing: issue the tax invoice within 21 days of the supply.

Not registered for VAT? Then send a normal invoice without VAT, headed simply “Invoice”. Your accountant can confirm what applies to your business.

Invoice, quote or statement?

A quote is the price before the customer agrees; an invoice asks for payment once they have; a statement lists everything a customer still owes. Need a quote first? See what goes on a quote.

When a template is no longer enough

Once you invoice every week, invoicing software saves hours: invoices straight from accepted quotes, card payments on the invoice, proofs of payment matched for you, and statements and reminders that follow up what is overdue.