VAT Return
Periodic VAT return for vendors registered for Value-Added Tax. The current VAT rate is 15% (proposed increases were reversed in 2025). Returns are submitted monthly (vendors with annual taxable supplies over R30 million) or bi-monthly. Due by the 25th of the month following the tax period.
Field 1
Standard Rate Supplies
Total value of goods and services supplied at the 15% standard VAT rate. Enter the VAT-exclusive (ex-VAT) value. Output tax on these supplies is calculated separately at 15%.
Field 1A
Standard Rate — Capital Goods
Portion of Field 1 relating to capital goods and services (plant, machinery, equipment). Separated for statistical purposes; the VAT treatment is the same as other standard-rate supplies.
Field 2
Zero-Rated Supplies
Supplies taxable at 0% VAT — no output tax charged, but input tax on related purchases is fully claimable. Includes: exports of goods and services, 19 listed basic foodstuffs (brown bread, dried beans, rice, maize meal, samp, etc.), certain agricultural inputs, illuminating paraffin, and international transport.
Field 3
Exempt Supplies
Supplies on which no VAT is charged and no input tax may be claimed on related costs. Includes: financial services (interest, loans, insurance), residential rental, educational services, childcare, public road and rail transport, and certain medical services.
Field 5
Output Tax
VAT charged on standard-rated supplies (15% of Field 1). This is the tax collected from customers that must be paid to SARS, before offsetting input tax.
Field 8
Output Tax — Accommodation
Output VAT on accommodation. Short-stay (28 days or less) is fully taxable at 15%. Long-stay accommodation (over 28 days) is taxed on only 60% of the full price. Separate lines on the form capture each category.
Field 12
Other Output Adjustments
Additional output tax: tax on change in use of assets from non-taxable to taxable purpose, and tax on imported services (reverse-charge mechanism where the SA recipient accounts for the VAT). Must be supported by documentation.
Field 14
Input Tax — Capital Goods
VAT paid on capital goods and services (equipment, machinery, vehicles) used for taxable business activities. Subject to a change-in-use adjustment if the asset is later used for exempt or non-business purposes.
Field 14A
Input Tax — Imported Capital Goods
VAT paid at the border (customs) on imported capital goods. Claimable as input tax in the period the customs clearance document (SAD500) is received.
Field 15
Input Tax — Other Goods and Services
VAT paid on standard-rated goods and services purchased for taxable business activities (non-capital). Must be supported by valid tax invoices showing the supplier's VAT registration number, the VAT amount, and a description of goods or services.
Field 17
Bad Debts Adjustment
Input tax adjustment for irrecoverable debts written off. If output tax was previously paid on a sale and the customer never paid, the VAT portion can be claimed back — provided the debt is 12 months overdue and has been formally written off.
Field 18
Other Input Adjustments
Miscellaneous input tax adjustments: change-in-use adjustments for assets switching between taxable and exempt use, and corrections for overstatements in prior periods.
Field 20
VAT Payable / Refundable
Net VAT: total output tax less total input tax. A positive amount is payable to SARS by the 25th of the following month. A negative amount is a refund — SARS targets refunds within 21 business days for compliant vendors.