Guides
Invoicing, VAT and SARS for South African small businesses, in plain language. Written by Josh, who builds Invo.
Latest
Zero-Rated vs Exempt Supplies in South Africa: What's the Difference?Neither adds VAT to the price, but only one lets you claim back the VAT on your costs. Here's how zero-rated and exempt supplies differ, with SARS's own examples and how to invoice each.Read the guideNeither one adds VAT to the price. The exporter can still claim back the VAT on its costs. The landlord can't.
Invoicing
What goes on an invoice or a quote, and how to send one that gets paid.
8 guides
How to Create an Invoice in South Africa: A Step-by-Step Guide for Small BusinessesWriting the invoice is the easy part. Numbering it, setting terms, sending it on time and knowing when it's been paid is where most small businesses lose track. Here's the whole process, plus what the law asks for if you're VAT-registered.How to Issue a Credit Note in South Africa (and What SARS Requires)The job was cancelled, the client returned something or you overcharged. Here's when you need a credit note, what has to be on it, how the VAT works, and a template to copy.How to Write a Quote That Wins the Job (With a Template)What to put in a quote, how long it should stay valid, and a template you can copy, written for South African freelancers and tradespeople.How to Invoice When You're Not VAT Registered in South AfricaNo VAT line, no "Tax Invoice" heading, and no 15% added on top. Here's what a plain South African invoice needs, what to leave off, and when that changes.Best Invoicing Software for South African Small Businesses in 2026Most invoicing software is built for a US or UK business first and adjusted for South Africa later, if at all. Here's what actually matters when you're choosing one, and where the gaps usually show up.Free Invoice Template for South African Businesses (Plus What SARS Actually Requires)Most invoice templates floating around online are missing something SARS requires. Here's exactly what has to be on a South African invoice, a template you can copy right now, and the point where a template stops being enough.Invoice vs Quote: What's the Difference and When to Use EachMany SA business owners use these terms as if they mean the same thing. They don't. A quote and an invoice carry different legal weight, and using the wrong one at the wrong time can cost you.The 6 Most Common Invoicing Mistakes SA Businesses MakeThese six invoicing errors cost South African small businesses money every year, through delayed payments, tax penalties, and disputes that were easy to avoid.
VAT & Tax
Registering for VAT, charging it and filing with SARS. Provisional tax is here too.
11 guides
VAT Registration in South Africa: The Complete 2026 GuideWho has to register for VAT, who should register voluntarily, and the exact SARS eFiling steps to do it. Covers the R120,000 and R2.3 million thresholds and what changes once you're registered.Zero-Rated vs Exempt Supplies in South Africa: What's the Difference?Neither adds VAT to the price, but only one lets you claim back the VAT on your costs. Here's how zero-rated and exempt supplies differ, with SARS's own examples and how to invoice each.E-Invoicing in South Africa: What SARS Is Planning and When It Affects YouSARS wants VAT invoices to travel as structured data, checked before they reach the buyer. Here's what an e-invoice is, the proposed timeline, and what a small business needs to do now (very little).How to Find Your VAT Number in South Africa (and Someone Else's)Your VAT number is on your Notice of Registration, your VAT201 returns and probably your suppliers' invoices. Here's where to look, how to find another business's number, and how not to mix it up with your tax number.How to Check if a VAT Number Is Valid in South AfricaA South African VAT number has 10 digits and starts with 4. Here's how to confirm one on SARS's free VAT Vendor Search, why it matters before you claim VAT, and what to do when nothing comes up.VAT103 Certificate: How to Get Your VAT Registration Certificate on eFilingThe VAT103 has been replaced by the Notice of Registration. Here's how to download it from SARS eFiling in five clicks, what to do if it isn't there, and why clients ask for it.How to Register for VAT on SARS eFiling: Step-by-Step Guide and Documents ChecklistThe exact eFiling screens, the documents SARS will ask for, the facial scan step, and what happens after you submit, including the new rule that gives you just 5 business days to upload anything SARS says is missing.Provisional Tax for Freelancers and Sole Proprietors in South AfricaIf you're not on a payroll, SARS doesn't collect your income tax for you automatically. Provisional tax is how freelancers and sole proprietors pay it themselves, on a schedule that catches a lot of people out in their first year.VAT Deregistration in South Africa: When and How to Cancel Your VAT NumberFalling below the VAT threshold doesn't cancel your registration automatically. Here's when deregistering actually makes sense, and the exact process SARS requires to close it out properly.VAT201 Online Submission: How to File Your Return on SARS eFilingStep-by-step VAT201 online submission through SARS eFiling: preparing your numbers, filing the return, and paying on time so you don't trigger the 10% late-payment penalty.VAT Compliant Invoices in South Africa: The Full SARS Tax Invoice ChecklistWhat actually makes an invoice VAT compliant in South Africa: every field SARS requires, when it has to say "Tax Invoice", and what happens to your client's claim if you get it wrong.
Cash Flow
Getting paid on time, and what to do when you aren't.
2 guides
8 Ways to Get Paid Faster as a South African FreelancerLate payment is one of the most common complaints among South African freelancers and small businesses. These eight habits close the gap between invoicing and getting paid.How to Follow Up on an Unpaid Invoice Without Losing the ClientA follow-up rhythm that stays polite, messages you can copy, and what to do when a client still doesn't pay, including the letter of demand and the Small Claims Court.
Business Tips
Setting up the business and working out what to charge.
2 guides
How to Register a Business in South Africa: CIPC Registration Guide for 2026Not every business needs to be a registered company, and registering one doesn't do as much for you automatically as people assume. Here's how to decide, and the exact BizPortal process if you do.How to Price Your Services as a South African Tradesperson or FreelancerUndercharging is one of the most common mistakes South African freelancers and tradespeople make. This guide walks through calculating a rate that covers your costs and pays you properly.