VAT Fundamentals - The Basics you must know Webinar

This course gives a practical, beginner-friendly introduction to Value-Added Tax (VAT) in South Africa. It explains how VAT works in real life (output VAT vs input VAT), when a business must register, what can and can’t be claimed, how VAT invoices work, and what SARS expects when you submit your VAT201 and pay over VAT. It’s designed to help learners understand VAT well enough to price correctly, invoice correctly, and avoid common compliance mistakes.

Who will benefit

• Small business owners and entrepreneurs (new to VAT)
• Freelancers/contractors approaching the VAT threshold
• Bookkeepers, junior accountants, and admin staff handling VAT processing
• Anyone who needs a clear “VAT 101” before moving into VAT problem areas (imports, apportionment, adjustments)

Module 1: What VAT Is and How It Actually Works

Content: VAT as a consumption tax, the role of a VAT vendor as a collector for SARS, and the basic flow from sale → VAT charged → VAT paid over.

Module 2: Key VAT Concepts You Must Know

Content: Taxable supplies, consideration, time of supply (intro level), and the difference between standard-rated, zero-rated, and exempt supplies (high-level definitions).

Module 3: VAT Rates in Practice

Content: Standard rate basics and what “15% VAT-inclusive vs VAT-exclusive” means for pricing, quoting, and invoices.

Module 4: When Must You Register for VAT?

Content: Compulsory registration threshold (taxable supplies exceeding R1 million in any consecutive 12-month period), and the basic idea of voluntary registration (when it may make sense).

Module 5: VAT Registration Choices and “Vendor Setup” Basics

Content: What SARS expects at registration, how VAT fits into your SARS profile, and the compliance responsibilities that start once you’re registered (practical overview).

Module 6: Output VAT — Charging VAT Correctly

Content: When you must charge VAT, common pitfalls (charging VAT when you shouldn’t / not charging when you should), and how output VAT flows into the VAT201.

Module 7: Input VAT — Claiming VAT Correctly

Content: What input VAT is, the basic rule for claiming, the importance of valid tax invoices, and typical “no-claim” problem areas (mixed/private use—intro only).

Module 8: VAT Invoices and Documentation That Protect You

Content: Why invoices matter, what SARS looks for in support, and the practical difference between “good paperwork” and “refund/claim risk.”

Module 9: VAT201 Returns and Payment Deadlines

Content: What the VAT201 is showing (output vs input), what creates a payment vs a refund, and submission/payment timing (manual vs eFiling overview).

Module 10: Common VAT Mistakes and Quick Fixes

Content: Frequent errors (wrong pricing basis, missing invoices, claiming disallowed VAT, mixing personal/business spend, late submissions) and simple controls to reduce VAT risk.