South Africa to Launch Real-Time VAT Compliance with E-Invoicing by 2028, Says SARS

• SARS is modernizing VAT compliance, moving from periodic filings to real-time, transaction-level oversight using structured e-invoicing.
• The new system will use AI and near real-time data to close the R800 billion tax gap, with businesses sending invoice data directly from their ERP systems to SARS.
• The roadmap includes system design and pilot phases in 2026–2027, with phased implementation starting in 2028 for the largest taxpayers.
• SARS plans to use an interoperable, decentralized exchange model, similar to the Peppol framework, to ensure seamless compliance.
• The initiative aims to reduce administrative burdens for compliant businesses and make non-compliance difficult and costly through advanced detection technologies.

Source: docnova.ai

Note that this post was (partially) written with the help of AI. It is always useful to review the original source material, and where needed to obtain (local) advice from a specialist.

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