Value-Added Tax Act, 1991 (Act No. 89 of 1991)

Practice Notes

5. Tax periods
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25 September 1991

 

Department of Finance Directorate

(Section 27)

 

1.        First tax period - category B vendors

 

Category B vendors are those vendors having a two month tax period ending on the last day of February, April, June, August, October and December each year.

The first tax period for these vendors will in fact be a one month tax period ending on 31 October 1991. Thereafter the normal two month period will apply.

 

2.        End of tax period

 

2.1Each tax period (whether a monthly, two monthly or six monthly tax period) will normally end on the last day of the relevant calendar month. However, any vendor may elect to end any tax period on a date which falls within ten days before or after the last day of the month. For example he may elect to end the October period on any day from 21 October to 10 November and close off his accounting records for VAT purposes on that date. His next tax period will then commence on the first day after the elected closing date.

Permission will not be granted to any vendor to end a tax period on any date not falling within the above.

 

2.2Where separate enterprises are carried on by a vendor or any enterprise is carried on by a vendor in branches or divisions, each such separate enterprise, branch or division may be registered as a separate vendor (section 50 of the Act). As separate vendors, each registered unit may close its own tax periods in accordance with 2.1 above and a common closing date will not have to be followed by all of the separately-registered enterprises, branches or divisions.

 

2.3 A person which has effected a single registration for enterprises, branches or divisions must use the same closing date (set in accordance with 2.1 above) for all enterprises, branches or divisions covered by the single registration. However, approval may be granted for such enterprises, branches or divisions to use different closing dates (set in accordance with 2.1 above), if a written application setting out the grounds for such a request is submitted to the Receiver of Revenue.