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How to verify VAT number in South Africa?

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VAT verification on SARS eFiling website​

You can check the validity of a VAT number on the SARS eFiling website for free. You can access the VAT lookup service here. This lookup tool also supports search by Trading Name.

To verify a South African VAT number:

  1. Go to the SARS eFiling VAT Vendor Search.
  2. Enter the 10-digit VAT registration number (e.g. 4480152117) or the trading name.
  3. Submit — results appear immediately.
VAT lookup
VAT lookup

Example VAT: 4480152117, 4720285933

A successful verification of the VAT on the SARS eFiling VAT lookup tool will return the following details:

  • VAT Trading Name
  • VAT Registration Number
  • Office
Successful VAT Verification on sarsefiling website
Successful VAT Verification

For more details on South African tax identifiers, see our South Africa Tax ID Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions​

What is the format of a South African VAT registration number?​

A South African VAT registration number is a 10-digit number always starting with 4 (e.g. 4480152117). The first digit 4 identifies it as a VAT registration. There is no alphabetic country prefix and no publicly documented checksum — format validation is limited to confirming 10 digits starting with 4. Verify VAT numbers on the SARS eFiling vendor search for authoritative confirmation. [1]

What is South Africa's VAT registration threshold and vendor categories?​

South Africa's VAT rate is 15% (increased from 14% on 1 April 2018). Registration thresholds: Compulsory — taxable supplies exceed ZAR 1,000,000 in any 12-month period; Voluntary — taxable supplies exceed or are expected to exceed ZAR 50,000. Vendor categories: Category A (monthly, large vendors), Category B (bi-monthly, under ZAR 30M turnover), Category C (quarterly, farmers/small vendors under ZAR 1.5M). [1]

The SARS vendor search shows an "Office" field — what does it indicate?​

The Office field indicates which SARS regional office administers the vendor's account. It does not affect VAT registration validity — a VAT number is valid nationally regardless of which regional office manages it. The office is useful for directing correspondence or audit inquiries to the correct SARS location but can be ignored for standard input tax verification. [1]

Can I claim input tax credits on invoices from a supplier whose VAT number I have not verified?​

Under the VAT Act (89 of 1991), input tax may only be deducted on a valid tax invoice from a registered vendor. An invalid or unverifiable VAT number means SARS may disallow the ITC during audit. The burden of proof falls on the claimant. SARS recommends verifying VAT numbers on the eFiling vendor search — keep a dated printout or screenshot as audit documentation. [1]

My supplier deregistered from VAT — what happens to invoices before and after deregistration?​

Before deregistration: invoices with a valid VAT number are valid tax invoices for ITC. After deregistration: the vendor cannot charge VAT or issue tax invoices; their VAT number is removed from the SARS vendor search. If discovered mid-relationship, verify the deregistration date and reverse any ITC claimed on post-deregistration invoices to avoid SARS disallowance. [1]

What are the mandatory fields on a South African tax invoice for input tax claims?​

A full tax invoice (for supplies over ZAR 5,000 including VAT) must contain: (1) "Tax Invoice"; (2) Supplier name, address, and VAT number; (3) Recipient name, address, and VAT number (B2B); (4) Unique sequential invoice number; (5) Issue date; (6) Description of goods/services; (7) Quantity/volume; (8) Unit price excluding VAT; (9) VAT amount; (10) Total including VAT. Abridged invoices (ZAR 50–5,000) only need items 1, 2, 4–6, 9, 10. [1]

Does South Africa have VAT rules for non-resident digital service providers?​

Yes. Non-resident suppliers of electronic services (streaming, SaaS, apps, digital content) must register for South African VAT if supplies to South African residents exceed ZAR 1,000,000 annually (effective since 1 June 2014). Registered foreign e-service providers submit monthly VAT returns via SARS eFiling. Their VAT numbers are verifiable on the SARS vendor search like domestic vendors. [1]

How Lookuptax can help you in VAT validation?

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