South Africa guides
Invoicing in South Africa, explained
Plain-English guides to invoicing in South Africa: what a tax invoice must show, invoicing when you’re not a VAT vendor, your VAT number, zero-rated exports, credit and debit notes, company details and interest on late payments.
Guides
- Company name and registration number on South African invoicesWhat the Companies Act requires on a South African company's invoices — the full name with (Pty) Ltd and the registration number — plus CCs, NPCs and sole proprietors.
- Credit notes and debit notes in South Africa: section 21 explainedWhen a South African VAT vendor issues a credit or debit note, what section 21 says it must show, the reason and the original invoice, and VAT201 fields 12 and 18.
- How to invoice when you're not registered for VAT (South Africa)What a South African invoice looks like without VAT — the title "Invoice", no VAT number — plus the R2.3 million threshold and 21 business days to register.
- Interest on late payments in South Africa: the prescribed rateCharging interest on overdue invoices in South Africa — agreed rates, the prescribed rate (10.75% from 1 November 2026), the in duplum rule and limits for consumers.
- Tax invoice requirements in South Africa: what SARS says to includeWhat a South African tax invoice must show under section 20 of the VAT Act — full or abridged, the R5,000 line, VAT-inclusive prices and the 21-day rule.
- Your VAT number on South African invoices: format and checksWhere your VAT registration number goes on a South African tax invoice, its 10-digit format starting with 4, the check digit, and when to show your client's number.
- Zero-rated exports and services to non-residents (South Africa)When South African VAT is 0% on exported goods and on services to non-resident clients, what the tax invoice must show, foreign currency, and VAT201 fields 2 and 2A.