SARS tax invoice template: what a valid South African invoice needs

Why your invoice template matters

Whether you freelance in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban, corporate accounts-payable teams routinely reject invoices missing required details. A rejected invoice misses the payment run — and that can mean waiting another 30 days. A SARS-compliant tax invoice template fixes this once.

What a full tax invoice shows (Section 20)

• The words "Tax Invoice"
• Your name, address and VAT registration number
• The client's name, address and VAT number
• A unique, sequential invoice number and the date of issue
• A description of the goods or services and the quantity
• The value, the VAT charged (15%) and the total, or a statement that VAT is included

Full vs abridged tax invoice

SARS allows an abridged tax invoice for smaller supplies, which can leave out some recipient details. Most B2B clients still ask for a full tax invoice so they can claim input VAT — so a full template is the safer default for freelancers and SMEs.

Not VAT registered?

Don't call it a tax invoice and don't charge VAT. Issue a regular invoice that clearly states "Not VAT registered" — everything else stays the same. You only need to register once taxable turnover passes the compulsory threshold.

Banking details that get you paid

• Registered business account name and bank
• Account number and type
• Universal branch code (e.g. FNB 250655, Standard Bank 051001)
• A strict payment reference — your invoice number

Mistakes that get SA invoices rejected

• Reusing or skipping invoice numbers
• Charging VAT without a VAT number
• Missing the client's registered company name or VAT number
• No due date or payment reference
• Sending an editable Word file instead of a PDF

Get a ready-made template

Use our free invoice generator to make one now, or get the Starter Kit for the editable SARS tax invoice template plus quotation, credit note, receipt, pro-forma and statement templates — all in rand.