VAT registration and returns

VAT is where small businesses get caught. The returns are frequent, the deadlines are unforgiving, and SARS verifies VAT more aggressively than almost anything else.

Get it right and it's routine. Get it wrong and you're dealing with penalties, interest and a verification that ties up weeks.

Who this is for

• Businesses approaching or exceeding the compulsory registration threshold
• Businesses that would benefit from registering voluntarily — typically where your customers are themselves VAT registered
• Anyone already registered who's fallen behind or had a return queried
• Businesses where input VAT claims are being disallowed and you're not sure why

What's included

• VAT registration with SARS, including the supporting documentation they now require
• Monthly or bi-monthly VAT201 preparation and submission
• Reconciliation of your VAT return to your accounting records before filing
• Review of input VAT claims to make sure they'll survive a verification
• Support during SARS VAT verifications and audits
• Advice on zero-rated and exempt supplies where it applies to you

What it costs

Price on request

Charged as part of your monthly accounting fee where we keep your books, or per return as a standalone service.

Getting started

1. We check whether you actually need to register — sometimes the answer is no, or not yet
2. We handle the registration and deal with SARS queries on it
3. Returns run on schedule from there, reconciled to your books each period

Common questions

When must I register for VAT? Registration becomes compulsory once your taxable supplies exceed R1 million in any consecutive twelve-month period. You can register voluntarily above a lower threshold. Confirm current figures with us, as thresholds are set by SARS and can change.

Should I register voluntarily? It depends entirely on who your customers are. If they're VAT-registered businesses, registering usually helps. If they're the public, adding 15% to your prices generally hurts. We'll work through your specific numbers rather than give you a rule of thumb.

SARS is verifying my VAT return. What happens now? They'll request supporting documents, usually within 21 business days. We'll assemble and submit the response on your behalf. Verifications are routine and not an accusation — but a slow or incomplete response turns them into something worse.

Talk to us about VAT →