Value Added Tax (VAT) is the tax charged on goods and services supplied and is charged at the current rate (standard rate) of 14%. VAT is an important part of the income generated by the government to cover government expenditure.
Who has to register as a VAT Vendor?
A person or business that supplies goods or services can register as a vendor (trader).
All businesses with a turnover of more than R1-million must register as a vendor (trader). This is COMPULSORY REGISTRATION.
Businesses with a turnover of less than R1-million can register if they want to. This is VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION.
The benefits of registering as a VAT Vendor
The business is able to claim back the amount of VAT paid on goods and services bought (VAT input).
Items on which VAT is not charged
Zero-rated items: Items charged at 0% VAT, but this can be changed by the government at any time. Examples are fresh fruit and vegetables, brown bread, milk, maize, rice, lentils and cooking oil.
VAT-exempt items: Items on which no VAT is charged. Examples are interest, rates, export services, educational services and childcare services.
VAT input
VAT input is the VAT paid by a business on the purchases of goods and services (which can be claimed back from SARS).
VAT output
VAT output is the VAT collected by the business on the sale of all goods and services (which needs to be paid over to SARS).

7.1 VAT calculations

VAT output – VAT input = amount payable to SARS (see example 2, page 72)
VAT inclusive calculations: When VAT is included in an amount
(see example 1 below)          (VAT inclusive) the calculation for VAT will be the amount × 14 
                                                                                                                                            114
VAT exclusive calculations: When VAT is excluded (VAT exclusive)
(see example 1 below)            the calculation for VAT will be the amount × 14 
                                                                                                                     100 
Worked example 1: Trendy Suppliers
Trendy Suppliers uses a fixed mark up of 40% on cost. The business is registered as a VAT vendor. The current VAT rate is 14%.
Calculate the following:

  1. VAT charged by Trendy Suppliers on one dress. [3]
  2. Selling price of one dress exclusive of VAT. [6]
  3. VAT charged to the customer on one dress. [3]
  4. VAT charged by Trendy Suppliers on one pair of jeans. [3]
  5. Selling price of one pair of takkies inclusive of VAT. [9]

Information
The following items were purchased during the month from Trendy Suppliers.
100 dresses @ R285 each (VAT inclusive)
80 pairs of jeans @ R180 each (VAT exclusive)
60 pairs of takkies @ R110 per pair (VAT exclusive)

Answers to worked example 1

  1. VAT charged by Trendy Suppliers on one dress. [3]
    R285 ×14  = R35 (Remember: Inclusive is 14 ÷ 114)
               114
  2. Selling price of one dress exclusive of VAT.
    Cost price = R285 – R35 (VAT) = R250
    Selling price = R250 × 140 = R350 (Remember: Mark up = 40% on cost price)[6]
                                        100        
  3. VAT charged to the customer on one dress:
    Selling price = R350 (as calculated in No 2 above)
    (Remember: Exclusive is 14 ÷ 100)
    VAT charged = R350 × 14 = R49 [3]
                                        100 
  4. VAT charged by Trendy Suppliers on one pair of jeans:
    R1803 × 14  = R25,20 [3] (Remember: Exclusive is 14 ÷ 100)
                 100 
  5. Selling price of one pair of takkies inclusive of VAT:
    Cost price = R110
    Selling price = R110 × 140 = R154 (exclusive of VAT)
                                        100
    VAT = R154 × 14 = R21,56
                          100
    VAT inclusive amount = R154 + R21,56 = R175,56 [9]

Worked example 2: Mizi Stores
Mizi Stores, owned by Mia Mizi, is registered for VAT.
Calculate the amount of VAT to be paid over to SARS for the period ending 28 February 2011. [17]
Information for this period ending 28 February 2011

  1. Total sales (cash and credit) (VAT inclusive) R60 000
  2. New computer bought (for office use) (VAT inclusive) R12 000
  3. Trading stock bought (VAT exclusive) R20 000
  4. Credit notes issued to customers (VAT inclusive) R 1 500

Answers to worked example 2

  VAT output  VAT input 
a) Total sales: 60 0003 × 14 
                                       114 
R7 368,42   
b) New computer bought: 12 000  × 14  
                                                         114 
  R1 473,68 
c) Trading stock bought: 20 0003 × 14  
                                                       100 
  R2 800
d) Credit notes issued: 1 500 × 14 
                                                 114 
  R184,21 
  R7 368,42  R4 457,89 
VAT payable to SARS:
R7 368,423 − R4 457,893 = R2 910,53
Total VAT output – Total VAT input = VAT payable to SARS   

[17]

7.2 VAT Control Account

There are different formats of completing the Input and Output VAT accounts however the correct information does end up in the VAT Control account. It is not likely you will be asked to do the Input or Output VAT account in the examination. The VAT Control Account is more likely to be asked.
Learners need to be able to complete the VAT Control account with all the relevant transactions without completing the Input VAT Control and Output VAT Control accounts.
Format of possible entries in the VAT control account

GENERAL LEDGER        
Dr.                                                           VAT CONTROL ACCOUNT (CL)                                                        B                                        Cr.
2014
May 
 3  Debtors Control DAJ  56 2014
May 
 1 Bank CRJ  4 200 
   8 Discount allowed (claim VAT back from discount allowed amount)   GJ 8    2 Debtors Control  DJ 1 400 
   12 Bad debts   GJ 28    9 Discount allowed
(cancel the VAT claim )
 GJ  8
   4 Bank    CPJ 700    10 Drawings  GJ  126
   6 Creditors control   CJ 280    11 Donations  GJ  42
   5 Petty cash   PCJ 21    7 Creditors control  CAJ  98
   31 Balance  c/d 4781          
        5874         5874
          2014
June
 1 Balance  b/d  
  • VAT Control account can have a debit balance or a credit balance.
  • A debit balance means that SARS owes the business money and that your Input VAT was more than your Output VAT.
  • A credit balance means that the business owes SARS money.
Schematic illustration of how all the entries from Output VAT Account and Input VAT account are recorded in the VAT Control Account  
DR                                               OUTPUT VAT ACCOUNT ( )                       B      CR        
2014
May
31   Debtors
Control 
DAJ  56 2014
May
31 Bank  CRJ 4 200
    Discount allowed (claim VAT back from discount allowed amount)   GJ   8     Debtors
Control
DJ 1400
    Bad debts   GJ   28     Discount allowed (cancel the VAT claim)  GJ 8
    VAT control           Drawings  GJ 126
              Donations  GJ 42
  • The output VAT account is a current liability.
  • It is the amount owing to SARS
  • The account increases on the credit side
DR.                         INPUT VAT CONTROL         B     DR       
2014
May 
31 Bank  CPJ 700  2014
May 
31  Creditors
control 
CAJ 98
    Creditors control  CJ  280          
    Petty cash  PCJ  21          
  • The Input VAT account is a current asset.
  • It is the amount that SARS owes the business.
  • The Input VAT account increases on the debit side.
DR                                                                VAT CONTROL ACCOUNT ( )                                                B                                    CR
2014
May 
31 Debtors Control DAJ  56 2014
May 
31 Bank  CRJ 4200
    Discount allowed (claim VAT back from discount allowed amount)   GJ  8     Debtors Control  DJ 1400
    Bad debts   GJ  28     Discount allowed
(cancel the VAT claim) 
GJ 8
    Bank   CPJ   700     Drawings   GJ 126
    Creditors control   CJ  280     Donations  GJ 42
    Petty cash   PCJ  21     Creditors control  CAJ 98
    Balance   c/d  4781          
         5874         5874
          2014
Jun
1   b/d 4781

Ensure that you know all the possible transactions and how the transactions are recorded in the VAT Control account.

Conclusion of the vat control account with all possible entries 

Take into account that the VAT CONTROL ACCOUNT is done to establish if the amount collected on behalf of SARS is more than the amount claimed from SARS.

  • VAT COLLECTED IS OUTPUT VAT
  • VAT AMOUNT CLAIMED IS INPUT VAT 

 

DR                                                                VAT CONTROL ACCOUNT ( )                                                B                                    CR
Debtors Control
(Cancel the output VAT claimed when goods are returned by debtors)
DAJ  56 Bank 
(Cash sales: collect output VAT on behalf of SARS)
CRJ 4200
Discount allowed (claim VAT back from discount allowed amount) 
(SARS allows a business to claim back the VAT part of discount allowed when a debtor pays his account on time: Cancel output VAT)
 GJ  8 Debtors Control 
(Credit Sales: Collect output VAT on behalf of SARS)
DJ 1400
Bad debts 
(When a business experienced bad debts, SARS allows you to claim back the VAT part of bad debts: Cancel output VAT)
 GJ  28 Discount allowed
(cancel the VAT claim) 
(Cancel of the discount claimed on the RD cheque: output VAT)
GJ 8
Bank 
(Claim the VAT when goods are bought and paid for: Claim back Input VAT)
 CPJ   700 Drawings  
(Must charge VAT when owner takes stock for own use: Collect output VAT on behalf of SARS)
GJ 126
Creditors control 
(Claim the VAT when goods are bought on credit: Claim back Input VAT)
 CJ  280 Donations 
(VAT charged on donated stock: Collect output VAT)
GJ 42
Petty cash 
(Claim the VAT when goods are bought: with petty cash money: Claim back Input VAT)
 PCJ  21 Creditors control 
(Cancel the VAT when goods are returned back to supplier: Cancel input VAT)
CAJ 98
Balance   c/d  4781      
     5874     5874
      Balance b/d 4781

Below is a list of suggested past examination questions for extra practice:

Topic   Paper  Question
Calculations using General Ledger accounts  November 2010  1.3
Concepts and calculations  February/March 2012  1.1
Last modified on Wednesday, 08 September 2021 12:48