VAT Rates and Registration Thresholds

Figures current at 29 September 2026. Source: TradeAnswers.

Rates and thresholds
Item2026/272025/26Note
Standard rate15%15%Unchanged since April 2018
Compulsory registrationR2,300,000R1,000,000From 1 April 2026
Voluntary registrationR120,000R50,000Minimum turnover to register by choice
Zero rate0%0%Exports and listed basic foodstuffs
Filing frequencyTwo-monthly or monthlySameMonthly above R30 million turnover
What each category means
CategoryVAT chargedInput VAT claimableExamples
Standard rated15%YesMost goods and services
Zero rated0%YesExports, brown bread, maize meal, milk, fuel
ExemptNoneNoFinancial services, residential rent, public transport
Out of scopeNoneNoSalaries, dividends
What it means for a trader
ActivityVAT treatment
Trading profit on forex or CFDsA financial service, exempt
Brokerage and platform feesExempt where the supplier is a financial service
A trading education course sold in South AfricaStandard rated if the seller is registered
Software and data subscriptions from abroadImported services, reverse charge may apply
Selling signals or a course as a businessRegister once turnover passes R2.3 million

Data maintained by TradeAnswers · updated as the figures change