VAT: input tax calculation
Municipality:
Date:
Year end: 30/06/2009
Tool to demonstrate how to calculate input tax that can be claimed using
Purpose: the turnover based method
Prepared by:
Reference: Approach
Extracts out of VAT 404 - VAT guide for vendors:
Generally the full amount of input tax may be claimed by a vendor who makes taxable supplies. However,
where goods or services are imported or otherwise acquired for mixed purposes (taxable and other non-
taxable purposes), input tax may only be claimed to the extent that they are for making taxable supplies in the
course of your enterprise. Therefore, when you import or otherwise acquire goods and services which are not
exclusively for taxable supplies, you will be required to determine the part that relates only to taxable supplies.
This means that you will be required to attribute the VAT expense according to the intended purpose for
which it will be utilised. Where the expense cannot be directly attributed to either taxable supplies or to
exempt supplies (or private/other non-taxable use), the extent of input tax which may be claimed has to be
calculated according to the apportionment percentage obtained, using an approved method.
Remember that this calculation is only required where the input tax incurred is for both taxable
supplies and other non-taxable purposes such as exempt supplies or private use. In other words, the
calculation is required where the expense cannot be directly attributed to either taxable or non-taxable
purposes, but is partially attributable to both types of supplies . This is sometimes referred to as an
expense which is incurred for making “mixed supplies” or for “mixed purposes”.
Note that if the expense is incurred wholly for taxable supplies, the full amount of input tax can be
claimed, but if it is wholly for exempt supplies, no input tax can be claimed.
In practice, it is often difficult to accurately determine the apportionment percentage according to the turnover
based method in each and every tax period. It is therefore acceptable practice to calculate the estimated
percentage using the turnover figures from the previous year’s financial statements, and to apply that
percentage for claiming input tax in each individual tax period for that year. An adjustment is made annually to
account for any shortfall or overestimation in the percentage used for the calculation when the audited
financial statements for the current financial year are available and when the correct percentage can be
calculated. This adjustment should be done within a period of 3 months after the financial year end.
If the audited financial statements have not been completed within a period of 3 months after the financial
year-end, an adjustment should be made using the year-end trial balance figures. This would be followed by a
final adjustment when the audited financial statements for that year are eventually finalised.
Where the vendor calculates the apportionment ratio according to the turnover based method or any other
special method approved by the Commissioner and the resultant percentage is 95% or more, no
apportionment is required as the full amount of input tax can be claimed. This is known as the de minimis rule.
ac82384d-3a4e-44ec-8f39-2998ae1550b3.xls Approach 1
VAT: input tax calculation
Municipality:
Date:
Year end: 30/06/2009
Tool to demonstrate how to calculate input tax that can be claimed using
Purpose: the turnover based method
Prepared by:
Reference: Approach
Extracts out of VAT 404 - VAT guide for vendors:
The only approved method available to municipalities as mentioned above is the turnover based method
which is shown below.
Turnover based method formula:
Total value of taxable supplies
X VAT incurred = input VAT claim
Total value of all supplies
Notes:
1. The term “value” excludes any VAT charged.
2. The “total value of all supplies” consists of the “value” of all taxable supplies (1 & 2) (excluding VAT),
exempt supplies (3) and non-supplies (4). Remember that a taxable supply includes a zero-rated supply (2)
as well.
3. Exclude capital goods from the calculation, unless they are supplied under a rental agreement / operating
lease (i.e. not a finance lease or instalment sale agreement).
4. Exclude any goods or services where the input tax was denied from the calculation (e.g. the purchase of a
passenger vehicle).
Examples from National Treasury GRAP Implemention Guide for Municipalities:
(1) Examples of standard rated supplies - 14%:
Electricity, gas, water, drainage, refuse removal Disposal of sewerage or garbage
Upgrading/building of roads Hospitals as principal
Abattoirs Farming
Parking grounds and garages Produce markets
Township development Letting of buildings e.g. halls, offices or shops
Airports Quarries and sale of sand
Cement-making Caravan parks, pleasure and holiday resorts
Nurseries/Hiking trails Brickyards
Liquor sales Provision of computer services
Game farms Dog tag fees
Cattle pens and auction facilities Fee/refunds/commission received
Royalties Library services
Provision for bus/taxi shelters Fire Brigade services/fire fees
Entrance fee to recreational facilities Issuing of licenses or permits as principal
Letting of bus without a bus operator Public Transport enforcement (CCTV)
Connection and reconnection fees Parks and recreational services
Fees fro making copies of documents By products sales
Meter reading fees Inspection/re-inspection fees
Trading fees Signage fees
Industrial effluent/Effluent sales Weighbridge fees
ac82384d-3a4e-44ec-8f39-2998ae1550b3.xls Approach 2
VAT: input tax calculation
Municipality:
Date:
Year end: 30/06/2009
Tool to demonstrate how to calculate input tax that can be claimed using
Purpose: the turnover based method
Prepared by:
Reference: Approach
Extracts out of VAT 404 - VAT guide for vendors:
Recoveries of infrastructure maintenance Subdivisions/Zoning/re-zoning
Encroachment fees Removal of restrictions
Filming fees Burial fees/grave sales/cremation/cemetery fees
Recoupment : telephone/parking from staff Informal trading levy/Trade licence
Salvage items Recoveries other
Roadworthy application/certificate Advertising fees
Boat registration Fishing permits
Duplicate certificates Health: Licensing and regulation: Trading
Street frontage administration fee Selling of animals, birds, fish
Banana ripening Towing fees
The supply of accommodation in a hostel or Fees for acting as collecting agents for Province
boarding establishment (e.g. motor licences)
Services rendered by one municipality to another Letting of commercial accommodation, e.g.
municipality hostels
(2) Examples of zero-rated supplies - 0%: (3) Examples of exempt supplies:
The levying of interest on outstanding accounts
Municipal property rates receivable (section 12(a))
The supply of dwelling under an agreement of the
Grants for purposes of taxable supplies letting and hiring thereof (section 12(c))
Public passenger transport in South Africa by bus
or by train (excluding the rental of a bus or train
Supplies to a vendor in a customs controlled area without an operator (section 12(g))
Exports
Housing subsidies
(4) Examples of 'out of scope' supplies:
Statutory fines and penalties. The imposition of
statutory fines or penalties by the municipality falls
outside the scope of VAT. Examples are speeding
and parking fines, library fines for the late return of
books, and building control and other fines.
Any grants paid by public authorities to make 'out of
scope' supplies
Any unconditional gifts (donations) from charities or
inheritance from individuals provided that there is no
quid pro quo in terms of a supply of goods or
services to that person or a connected person in
return for the donation or inheritance
ac82384d-3a4e-44ec-8f39-2998ae1550b3.xls Approach 3