VAT Vendor Search by Registration Number or Company Name

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has made it mandatory to include the VAT registration number of the recipients of goods or services on any tax invoice issued. Hence, to confirm your supplier’s VAT registration, utilize SARS’ VAT Vendor Search tool to verify their VAT number. This ensures that you can issue tax invoices accurately.

But the question what is the process for checking VAT numbers? The process is straightforward and can be carried out online from the comfort of your home. Let me walk you through the process:

Follow the following instructions to check a VAT number:

• First, open the web browser on your device and navigate to South Africa’s SARS eFiling system VAT Vendor Search or click on the link https://secure.sarsefiling.co.za/vatvendorsearch.aspx.
• After agreeing to the terms and conditions, proceed by clicking ‘Continue to VAT Vandor Search’.
• On the VAT Vendor Search page, you will find various options available. Choose ‘Verify a VAT registration number’ to proceed.
• This will take you to another page. On this page, you will see two empty input boxes, enter either the VAT registration number (must be authentic) or the VAT trading name of the business in question.
• Afterward, click on the search button. The VAT lookup will generate results.
• You have the option to print or save your search results, which can be valuable for your tax records.

Vendors must include the VAT registration number of the recipient on all tax invoices for goods and/ or services. To facilitate adherence to regulations, VAT Vendor Search now provides an extended search or web service that lists VAT-registered vendors. This feature is accessible exclusively to registered e-filing users.

Hence, register yourself on SARS to access this feature. However, the public and business entities can still use the search function to verify if suppliers of goods and/or services are VAT-registred. Moreover, note that the VAT Vendor Search system verifies a VAT registration number only when the precise and accurate trading name is entered.

Therefore, SARS must maintain correct and up-to-date trading names in its records. If SARS does not have accurate details for an enterprise, the VAT Vendor Search may incorrectly indicate that the vendor is not registered. This could result in the rejection of tax invoices issued to other vendors or tourists.

In conclusion, you can search for a VAT vendor in South Africa by registration number or company name through the South African Revenue Service (SARS) eFiling system. Follow the instructions provided in the guide.