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Free Invoice Template
South Africa

A SARS-compliant invoice template for South African tradespeople — free to download as PDF. Includes trade-specific versions for plumbers, electricians, builders, roofers and painters.

What a SARS-Compliant Invoice Must Include

South African law requires specific fields on every tax invoice. Missing any of these could invalidate a VAT claim.

1

The words "Tax Invoice"

Must appear prominently. If you are not VAT-registered, use "Invoice" instead — do not use "Tax Invoice".

2

Your business details

Registered business name (or trading name), physical address, and contact details.

3

VAT registration number

Required only if VAT-registered with SARS. Remove this line entirely if you are not VAT-registered.

4

Unique invoice number

Each invoice must be sequentially numbered (e.g. INV-001, INV-002). Required by SARS for audit purposes.

5

Date of supply

The date the work was completed or goods were delivered — not just the date you typed the invoice.

6

Itemised description

Describe each service or product. Include quantities, unit prices, subtotal, VAT amount, and total including VAT.

7

Client's details

For tax invoices over R5,000: include the client's name, address, and VAT number (if they are VAT-registered).

8

SA bank EFT details

Not a legal requirement, but essential for getting paid. Include account holder, bank, account number, and branch code.

9

Payment terms

State your payment terms clearly: "30 days from invoice date" is the standard for most South African trade businesses.

Trade-Specific Invoice Templates

Select your trade above to see a pre-filled template with industry-standard line items.

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Free Plumber Invoice Template SA

Pre-filled with call-out fee, labour per hour, materials, and SANS 10252 compliance note.

Use this template →

Free Electrician Invoice Template SA

Includes call-out, hourly labour, materials, and Certificate of Compliance (COC) line item.

Use this template →
🏗️

Free Builder Invoice Template SA

Stage-payment format with NHBRC registration, brickwork m² pricing, and materials.

Use this template →
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Free Roofer Invoice Template SA

Covers waterproofing (per m²), IBR sheeting, labour, and workmanship guarantee terms.

Use this template →
🖌️

Free Painter Invoice Template SA

Interior / exterior walls (per m²), ceiling, materials, surface prep, and deposit tracking.

Use this template →
📄

General Blank Invoice Template SA

A clean, SARS-compliant blank template you can fill in for any trade or service.

Use this template →

Stop filling in templates by hand

TradiQuote generates professional invoices in seconds — AI-written scope, client e-signature, SA bank EFT details, and WhatsApp sharing. All from your phone on site.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What must a South African invoice include by law?
A SARS-compliant tax invoice must include: the words "Tax Invoice", your business name and address, your VAT registration number (if VAT-registered), a unique invoice number, the date of supply, a description of goods or services, quantities and unit prices, the VAT amount (15%), and the total including VAT. For invoices over R5,000, you must also include the client's name and address.
Is VAT required on a South African invoice?
VAT is only required if your business is VAT-registered with SARS — that is, your taxable turnover exceeds R1 million per year, or you have voluntarily registered. If you are not VAT-registered, your invoice should show the total without VAT and be headed "Invoice" (not "Tax Invoice").
What is the difference between a quote and an invoice in South Africa?
A quote (or quotation) is sent before the work is done — it states the price and is subject to client acceptance. An invoice is sent after work is completed (or when requesting a deposit) and creates a legal obligation for the client to pay. In South Africa, both are commonly sent via WhatsApp or email by tradespeople.
How long is a quotation valid in South Africa?
There is no fixed legal requirement, but the standard in South Africa is 30 days from date of issue. Most tradespeople state this on their quotation. TradiQuote automatically sets a 30-day expiry and notifies you when a quote is about to expire.
What banking details should I include on a South African invoice?
For SA EFT payments, include your bank name (FNB, Absa, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Capitec, etc.), account holder name, account number, branch code, and account type (cheque or savings). Most South African clients pay by EFT within 30 days of receiving a correctly issued invoice.
Can I use a free invoice template instead of invoicing software?
Yes — a free template works fine for occasional invoicing. But if you are sending more than a few invoices a month, invoicing software like TradiQuote saves significant time: it auto-fills client details, generates sequential invoice numbers, calculates VAT, and sends the invoice via WhatsApp in a single tap.

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