South Africa VAT Guide for Vendors: Key Rules for Compliance

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) published a comprehensive and detailed VAT guide for vendors, explaining key terms, definitions, and rules. The guide includes some basic information, such as what VAT is and how it works, and more specific details on VAT registration, tax period, accounting basis, time and value of supply, taxable supplies, penalties and interest, and more.

Main VAT Principles

As stated in the VAT guide, all displayed, advertised, communicated, and, ultimately, charged prices must include the applicable VAT rate. Since there are two types of VAT rates in South Africa, the 15% standard and zero VAT rates, the first principle mainly refers to the obligation to include a 15% standard VAT rate in all prices.

Furthermore, the VAT Guide reminds vendors of their obligation to collect and remit VAT to the state after correctly deducting inputs and other deductions. The guide also underlines the importance of timely VAT payment as one of the main principles, mainly to avoid penalties and interest.

Additionally, the guide highlights the importance of keeping accurate and proper documentation as proof of any input tax or other allowed deductions. In addition to maintaining documents as proof, vendors must keep all records under the five-year retention period rules.

Under the VAT rules, and as one of the main principles, goods exported to clients outside South Africa may be charged 0% VAT. The VAT guide also explains situations when the standard VAT rate is applied and when the zero VAT rate is applied, as well as specified exemptions to the rules.

Under the VAT rules, vendors must communicate any changes necessary for VAT registration, such as a change in representative, business address, bank account details, business name, or similar, within 21 days of the change.

All VAT payments can be made electronically through the government eFilling portal or bank electronic fund transfer.

Conclusion

The SARS-provided VAT Guide for vendors is a valuable source of information for all domestic and foreign businesses and individuals engaged in taxable activities in South Africa. It clarifies all the essential VAT rules and regulations.

All vendors should dedicate time and personnel to thoroughly analyze and understand the regulations to reach compliance with VAT law. Otherwise, they will be faced with fixed-amount and percentage-based penalties and interests.

Source: VAT 404 Guide for Vendors