Create a Sales Invoice with VAT

Goal: raise a sales invoice that applies South African VAT correctly and can be issued as a compliant tax invoice.

Steps

New Sales Invoice. SA VAT workspace (or search "Sales Invoice") → New.
Customer. Pick the customer. Their VAT details (captured on the customer master) determine whether you issue a full or abridged tax invoice.
Add items. Add each line item and quantity. The item's VAT category drives the rate that applies (standard 15%, zero-rated, or exempt).
Choose the tax template. In Taxes and Charges, select the matching template — e.g. SA Standard Rated Sales 15%, SA Zero Rated Sales 0%, or an export/exempt template. The default template auto-applies; change it if the supply differs.
Check the VAT line. Confirm VAT is calculated (15% for standard supplies) and the grand total is VAT-inclusive.
Save, then Submit when the invoice is final.

What the system does for you

The South African invoice logic calculates the VAT and records the classification (standard output, zero-rated, exempt, etc.) that the VAT201 return later picks up. You don't classify it again at return time — keeping the item categories and templates correct here is what makes the VAT201 accurate.

Mixed-rate invoices

If a single invoice has lines at different rates (e.g. some standard, some zero-rated), use Item Tax Templates on the affected lines, or split into separate invoices. Keep line-level tax consistent with each item's VAT category to avoid "needs review" rows on the VAT201.

After submitting

Print/issue the tax invoice — see Tax Invoices, Credit & Debit Notes.
The invoice now feeds the period's VAT201 Return.
Don't delete a submitted invoice — the system blocks deletion to protect the SARS audit trail. To reverse it, issue a credit note (cancel/return), not a delete.

Check

VAT amount and rate are correct for the supply.
Customer and item details are right (they appear on the tax invoice).
Status is Submitted.

Issue the document: Tax Invoices, Credit & Debit Notes.