Frequently asked questions

What is Tax Invoice SA?

A South African web tool for creating invoices and quotes, downloading PDF (and Word on Starter), saving documents to your account, and optionally printing banking details or payment links on invoices. It is operated by Johann Beukes, a sole proprietor trading as Tax Invoice SA.

Is this SARS-compliant / tax advice?

No. The layout is designed around typical South African tax-invoice fields (supplier details, VAT number, serial invoice number, dates, line items, VAT at 15%). You are responsible for checking each document against the VAT Act and SARS requirements before you send it. We are not a registered tax practice.

What should a tax invoice include?

For a VAT tax invoice you typically need the words “Tax Invoice”, your legal name and address, your VAT number, a unique invoice number, the date, a description and quantity of goods or services, amounts excluding VAT, the VAT amount, and the total. Recipient details (and their VAT number, if they are a vendor) are required on full tax invoices. Confirm current SARS rules — they can change.

How does the VAT toggle work?

When VAT is on, line items are treated as exclusive of VAT and 15% is added as a separate line. When VAT is off, totals are shown without VAT (for non-vendors). There is no separate zero-rated or exempt rate in the app — leave VAT off and note the treatment in your footer if you need to.

Can I use this for a standard invoice or quote outside South Africa?

Yes. The default is a South African SARS-style tax invoice (ZAR, 15% VAT). Turn VAT off to create a standard invoice or standard quotation — the usual international terms, without the South African VAT Act footer. Choose USD, EUR, GBP or AUD from the currency dropdown if you bill in those currencies.

How are invoice numbers assigned?

When you are signed in, a new invoice is given the next INV-0001-style number based on invoices already saved in your account. You can still type your own number. SARS expects serialised, unique numbers — do not reuse a number for a different invoice.

What is the difference between Free and Starter?

• Free: create unlimited documents in the browser, PayPal link on PDFs, 5 saved invoices and 5 saved quotes per calendar month.
• Starter (R49/month): unlimited cloud saves, banking / Paystack / Yoco on PDFs, Word export.

Prices are in South African Rand. See Pricing.

How do I cancel a subscription?

Dashboard → Account → Cancel subscription. Paid features end when Paystack confirms the cancellation (usually immediately). We do not refund the current month unless the law requires it. Saved invoices stay in your account on the Free plan.

How do I delete my account?

Dashboard → Account → Delete my account. Type DELETE to confirm. We first cancel any Paystack subscription, then permanently remove your login, profile, invoices, quotes, and clients. Limited billing logs and contact-form messages may be retained as described in the Privacy Policy.

How do I download a copy of my data?

Sign in, open Dashboard → Account, and use Download my data. You will get a JSON file of your profile, invoices, quotes, and clients (POPIA access).

How do I mark an invoice as paid?

In Dashboard → My Invoices, use Mark paid / Mark unpaid. This is only for your records — it does not collect money from your client.

Can I email an invoice from the app?

Dashboard → My Invoices → Email opens your email app with the client address and a short message. Attach the PDF you downloaded. We do not send the PDF from our servers.

How do quotes work?

Create a quote, save it, then convert it to an invoice when the work is won. Conversion copies line items, client details, and VAT. Quotes do not print your banking details.

Who can I contact about privacy (POPIA)?

Johann Beukes is the Information Officer. Use the Contact form (subject: Privacy / POPIA request) or email taxinvoicesa@gmail.com. You may also complain to the Information Regulator — details are in the Privacy Policy and PAIA manual.