If your business is VAT-registered, every invoice needs to be a valid tax invoice — the words "Tax Invoice", your VAT number, and the VAT rate and amount. Switch VAT on once and stub adds all three; after that, charging VAT is a click per line item. VAT on invoices is a premium feature.
Check VAT is set up
Head to Settings → Tax and confirm your VAT number is there and Show on invoices and quotes is ticked. If it isn't set up yet, see VAT, GST & Sales Tax.
Add VAT to a line item
Open or create the invoice — your VAT number should appear in the From block at the top — and add or click a line item. Then, in the item editor:
- Click + VAT below the price field.
- Choose the rate: VAT (15%) for standard-rated, or Zero-rated or Exempt where they apply.
- Set Include VAT in the total to match how you quoted the price — on if the price already contains the VAT, off if it goes on top. A new line starts with it on.
Repeat for each line that needs VAT.
stub shows the VAT amount under the item price and adds it to the total.
An item you saved with a VAT rate brings it onto the line for you, including whether its price is VAT-inclusive — see Set the tax on an item. Changing it here changes this line only; the saved item is untouched.
Add your customer's VAT number
In the To block, click + Customer and add their details, including their VAT Number. It appears on the invoice automatically from then on.
How the maths works
Prices can be calculated inclusive or exclusive of VAT. Exclusive: a R1,000 item plus 15% VAT is R1,150. Inclusive: a R1,150 item is R1,000 plus R150 VAT, worked backwards. The rate on a product or service carries its own setting, and the line inherits it until you change it. Income and expenses have no such choice — the VAT always comes out of the amount recorded; see Add VAT to income and expenses.
Discounts come off first, then VAT is calculated on what's left — see the Discounts section of Create and send an invoice.
Check what you've charged
Everything you charge here flows into one report, so your VAT return starts from numbers that are already right.
Go to Insights → VAT / Sales Tax — see VAT & Sales Tax reports for how to read it.
Note: SARS requires a tax invoice to show the words "Tax Invoice", your VAT registration number, and the VAT rate and amount. stub adds all three once VAT is set up.