Free Invoice Generator (South Africa)
Create a South African tax invoice with 15% VAT calculated automatically in rand, and download it as a PDF.
Saved invoices
Saved automatically in your browser.
Your business name
INVOICE
INV-001
Billed to
Client name
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Item description | 1 | — | ZAR 0.00 |
- Subtotal
- ZAR 0.00
- VAT (15%)
- ZAR 0.00
- Total
- ZAR 0.00
Tax invoices in South Africa
VAT-registered vendors in South Africa charge 15% VAT — the increase proposed in the 2025 Budget was withdrawn before it took effect, so the rate is unchanged. This page presets the currency to ZAR and the tax line to VAT at 15%: amounts render in rand (R12,500.00), any discount comes off the subtotal first, and VAT is calculated on what's left. Registration is compulsory once taxable turnover passes R2.3 million in any 12-month period; below that it's voluntary in some cases, and an accountant can tell you whether it's worth it.
A valid tax invoice must contain the words 'Tax Invoice'. There's no dedicated field for that, so add them at the top of the notes or alongside your invoice number. Your VAT number goes on a line under your business name in the address block — for example 'VAT No. 4520123456'. For sales above R5,000, SARS requires a full tax invoice that also shows the customer's name, address, and VAT number if they're registered — put those in the client address block. At R5,000 or below, an abridged tax invoice without the customer's details is fine.
Not registered for VAT? Then clear the tax rate and issue a standard invoice — you can't charge VAT without a VAT number. Everything runs in your browser and the draft autosaves, so next month you only change the invoice number and dates before downloading the new PDF.
Follow the June contract through to the 15% VAT
A Johannesburg facilities company bills a sectional-title body corporate for June. The cleaning contract itself is a fixed monthly fee, consumables are recharged per pack at the rate in the service agreement, and anything outside the contract — a carpet deep clean, an after-hours callout — is itemised on its own line so the trustees can see what they are approving. VAT is added once at 15% on the subtotal.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office cleaning contract — June 2026, ground and first floor | 1 | ZAR 8,450.00 | ZAR 8,450.00 |
| Boardroom and reception carpet deep clean — per room | 3 | ZAR 650.00 | ZAR 1,950.00 |
| Consumables restock — hand towel packs | 12 | ZAR 89.50 | ZAR 1,074.00 |
| After-hours callout, 22 June — water ingress cleanup, per hour | 3.5 | ZAR 420.00 | ZAR 1,470.00 |
| Subtotal | ZAR 12,944.00 | ||
| VAT 15% | ZAR 1,941.60 | ||
| Total due | ZAR 14,885.60 | ||
Contract work and out-of-contract extras are kept on separate lines, which is what turns a trustees' meeting query into a five-second answer.
Make sure SARS would accept this invoice
The words 'Tax Invoice'
There is no field for the wording, so type 'TAX INVOICE' at the top of the notes or beside your invoice number — without it a VAT-registered customer can struggle to claim the input tax.
VAT and company numbers
Put 'VAT No. 4520123456' and your CIPC registration number on lines under your business name in the address block, where South African clients and their bookkeepers expect to find them.
Full versus abridged at R5,000
Above R5,000 you need a full tax invoice showing the customer's name, address and VAT number, so complete the whole client block; at R5,000 or below an abridged invoice with only your details is accepted.
Describe each line specifically
A valid tax invoice needs the quantity and a description of what was supplied, so write 'Consumables restock — hand towel packs' rather than 'sundries' on the line item.
EFT reference in notes
Clients here settle by EFT and the app takes no payments, so use the notes field to give your terms and ask them to quote the invoice number as the payment reference.
How to create an invoice online
- 1
Fill in the details
Add your business info, your client, line items, tax, and an optional logo or discount.
- 2
Watch the live preview
The invoice updates as you type, so you always see exactly what your client will receive.
- 3
Download the PDF
One click generates a clean, professional PDF invoice — free and without a watermark.
A simple invoice maker for freelancers and small businesses
Everything you need to bill a client properly — and nothing you don't. Create an invoice, check the live preview, download the PDF, get paid.
Instant PDF download
Generate a polished A4 invoice PDF in one click — no waiting, no email required.
No sign-up, no watermark
Completely free to use. Your invoice is yours, with no branding stamped on it.
Private by design
Everything happens in your browser. Your invoice data never touches a server.
Logo, tax & discounts
Add your logo, any tax label and rate (VAT, GST, sales tax), and percentage or fixed discounts.
Saves as you type
Your draft is stored locally in your browser, so an accidental tab close loses nothing.
20 currencies
Invoice in USD, EUR, GBP, INR, JPY and more, with correct rounding for each currency.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I put my VAT number?
On a line under your business name in the address block — for example 'VAT No. 4520123456'. SARS requires the supplier's VAT number on every tax invoice, and on a full tax invoice above R5,000 the customer's VAT number should appear under their name too, if they're registered.
Does the invoice need to say 'Tax Invoice'?
Yes — the words 'Tax Invoice' are part of what makes the document valid for VAT purposes. Add them at the start of the notes field or next to your invoice number; without them, a VAT-registered customer may struggle to claim the input tax.
Is VAT in South Africa still 15%?
Yes. The proposed increase to 15.5% in 2025 was withdrawn before it took effect, so vendors continue charging 15%. The preset here uses 15%, and the rate field is editable if that ever changes.
What's the difference between a full and an abridged tax invoice?
A full tax invoice is required when the total exceeds R5,000 and must include the customer's name, address, and VAT number if they're registered — enter those in the client fields. At R5,000 or below, an abridged version showing just your details is acceptable. Requirements do change, so confirm the current rules with SARS or your accountant.