South Africa Tax Invoice Generator
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Invoicing in South Africa: what your invoice needs
A VAT vendor in South Africa has to issue a tax invoice for every taxable supply, and the customer needs it to claim input VAT. SARS spells out what a tax invoice must contain, so a plain invoice with a total on it is not enough once you are registered.
Registration got easier to avoid from 1 April 2026. The compulsory VAT registration threshold rose from R1 million to R2.3 million of taxable turnover in a 12-month period, and the voluntary threshold rose from R50,000 to R120,000. Below R2.3 million you can register voluntarily if your customers are VAT vendors who want to claim from you.
Key facts for South Africa
- Tax
- Value-added tax (VAT)
- Standard rate
- 15%; some items are zero-rated (basic foods, exports)
- Compulsory registration
- Taxable supplies above R2.3 million in 12 months (from 1 April 2026; was R1 million)
- Voluntary registration
- Taxable supplies above R120,000 in 12 months (was R50,000)
- When to issue
- Within 21 days of the supply
- Abridged tax invoice
- Allowed for supplies up to R5,000; buyer details can be left out
- Records
- Keep for 5 years
- Currency
- ZAR (R)
What a South Africa invoice should include
- The words Tax Invoice, VAT Invoice or Invoice, shown clearly
- Your name, address and VAT registration number
- The buyer's name and address (and VAT number if the total is above R5,000)
- A unique, sequential invoice number and the date
- A description of the goods or services, with quantity or volume
- The value of the supply, the VAT amount or a statement that VAT is included, and the total
Practical tips
State whether prices include VAT
A tax invoice must either show the VAT amount or say that the price includes VAT at 15%. This is where invoices most often fall short, and it matters for the inclusive versus exclusive question customers ask.
Keep the numbers in sequence
Invoice numbers should be unique and in a running order. Gaps and repeats invite questions in a SARS review. A separate series for credit notes is normal.
Cross-border services
Services exported to a customer outside South Africa can be zero-rated if the conditions are met. Keep evidence of where the customer is and state the zero-rating on the invoice.
Common questions about invoicing in South Africa
Do I have to charge VAT if I am under R2.3 million?
No. Registration is compulsory only above the threshold, and voluntary between R120,000 and R2.3 million. If you are not registered you cannot charge VAT and should not issue a tax invoice. Issue a normal invoice with no VAT.
What is an abridged tax invoice?
For supplies up to R5,000 you can issue a shorter tax invoice that leaves out the buyer's details. Above R5,000 you need the buyer's name, address and VAT number if they have one.
Is 15% VAT added on top or included?
Both are allowed. Some businesses quote VAT-exclusive prices and add VAT at the end. Others quote VAT-inclusive prices. Whichever you use, the invoice must make it clear.
Can I email a PDF to the customer?
Yes. SARS accepts electronic tax invoices, provided they contain the required details and you keep them for 5 years.
Related guides and tools
- How to calculate VAT in South Africa
- VAT inclusive vs exclusive
- Invoice numbering rules in South Africa
- Free VAT calculator
Official sources: SARS: Value-Added Tax.
Last updated September 2026. This is general information, not tax or legal advice. Tax rules change, so check the official source or ask a local accountant before relying on it for an important invoice.
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