To all the business-owning dads out there — happy Father's Day. You're building something every day, not just for yourself, but for your family.
Today is a day to enjoy with the people who matter most. But before you put the phone down completely, a quick reminder: your May–June VAT period closes on 30 June — that's 9 days away.
This post will take 4 minutes to read. Then you can get back to your braai.
Where Your Records Should Be Right Now
You are in the final stretch of the May–June VAT period. Here is what should already be done:
May — should be fully complete:
- All May sales invoices captured
- All May supplier invoices captured
- May bank account fully reconciled
- Output and input VAT for May correctly recorded
June — should be up to date:
- All sales invoices issued in June to date captured
- All supplier invoices received in June to date captured
- Bank transactions matched regularly
If any of this is behind, the next 9 days is your window to catch up. Once 30 June passes, you cannot add to the period — you can only correct errors.
Four Things to Check Before 30 June
Before the period closes, run through these four checks:
1. Invoices in the correct period
Make sure no May invoices are sitting in June and no April invoices slipped into May. Invoices captured in the wrong period distort your VAT figures and can attract queries from SARS.
2. Missing supplier invoices
You can only claim input VAT on invoices you actually hold. If a supplier invoice is missing, follow it up this week — you cannot claim VAT without a valid tax invoice.
3. No duplicate invoices
Capturing the same invoice twice inflates your input VAT. A quick scan of your creditors list before month end picks these up easily.
4. Valid VAT numbers on supplier invoices
To claim input VAT, the supplier's VAT registration number must appear on the tax invoice. Check your invoices are complete.
Your July Submission Plan
The period closes 30 June. The eFiling deadline is Friday, 31 July 2026.
Your target: Submit Wednesday, 29 July — two days before the deadline.
Timeline:
- 30 June: Period closes. Generate your May–June VAT report.
- 1–4 July: Review the numbers. Fix errors. Reconcile your bank.
- Week of 28 July: Final review. Submit Wednesday 29 July. Done.
Why Wednesday and not Friday?
Every VAT deadline follows the same pattern on eFiling:
- Monday–Wednesday: Fast, smooth, no queues
- Thursday: Noticeably busier
- Friday 2PM onwards: Slowdowns, timeouts, system strain
Submit Wednesday. The deadline stress does not exist for you.
What Happens If You Miss the 31 July Deadline
Missing the Deadline Has Consequences
Missing the deadline results in penalties and interest charged by SARS. Interest accrues daily on any outstanding VAT — the longer it is left unpaid, the more it grows.
If you miss the deadline:
The Best Gift You Can Give Your Business Today
Father's Day is about legacy. The business you are building, the habits you are forming, the example you are setting.
Staying on top of your VAT is part of that. Clean records. On-time submissions. No SARS penalties eating into what you have worked hard to build.
Enjoy today. Then tomorrow, open your accounting system and spend 30 minutes making sure your June records are up to date.
Your future self — and your family — will thank you.
Need a Hand With Your VAT?
If your May–June records need attention before the period closes, we are here to help.
At Accounting Simplified we keep your books clean throughout the period so that VAT submission is never a last-minute rush — leaving you more time for the things that matter.
Important: This article provides general guidance for South African businesses. Every business situation is unique — consult a qualified accounting professional for advice specific to your circumstances.