VAT201 is the SARS return that VAT-registered vendors must submit for every tax period. It summarises the output VAT you collected on sales, the input VAT you can claim on purchases, and the net amount payable or refundable. Filing is done through SARS eFiling.
What goes into a VAT201?
Output VAT
VAT charged on taxable supplies and sales at the standard rate.
Input VAT
VAT paid on business purchases and expenses that you can claim back.
Exempt/zero-rated
Supplies that are exempt or taxed at 0% must be reported separately.
Adjustments
Bad debts, credit notes, and other corrections that change the VAT position.
Common VAT201 mistakes
- Claiming input VAT on non-taxable or private expenses
- Forgetting to include zero-rated exports in the correct field
- Mixing up invoice dates and tax periods
- Not reconciling the VAT201 to the general ledger before filing
- Missing the deadline and paying penalties plus interest
How AccPro Lite calculates VAT201
- Classifies transactions by VAT rate automatically
- Reconciles output and input VAT to the general ledger
- Flags missing tax invoices and private expenses
- Produces a VAT201 summary ready for SARS eFiling
- Tracks filing deadlines for monthly and bi-monthly vendors
File VAT201 with fewer errors
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