The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has announced changes to the new Vat registration process. If you’re considering applying to be a Vat vendor or if you’ll be applying on behalf of your client, you should take heed.

With the new changes, which are effective as of Wednesday 10 November 2008, the new procedure is as follows:

1. If your tax practitioner will be registering on your behalf, he must have a valid PR number before he can do so.

2. He must submit an original letter of authority or power of attorney together with the application form, authorising him to act on your behalf.

3. The following applies to all applications:

• All forms must be completed correctly
• Incomplete forms will not be processed.

4. Each application must include the following documents for FICA purposes:

• your valid ID document;
• a municipal or telephone account with physical address; and
• an original bank statement, not more than three months old.

5. Confirmation that the applicant is a valid enterprise must be provided This will entail a short interview with a SARS auditor. If your practitioner doesn’t have all your relevant information handy, ensure you’re available telephonically should SARS have questions for you.

6. Possible site visit to the applicant if required

Although this process may increase the time it takes to register new Vat vendors, ensuring you have all the necessary information at hand will significantly reduce your waiting period!