# South Africa VAT 201 Reconciliation Worksheet > Source: https://netray.co/tools/south-africa-vat-201-reconciliation-worksheet > Publisher: Netray (netray.co), AI and integration engineering for ERP and manufacturing systems. > Section: Free Tools ## Short answer Compare output and input VAT in the ERP ledger with the amounts on each VAT 201 return and see the differences by period. ## Category regional ## Region South Africa ## Audience - Financial manager - Bookkeeper - ERP finance consultant ## Tool **Kind:** worksheet **Mode:** editable **Currency:** R **Columns:** #### VAT period **Key:** period **Type:** text #### Output VAT per ledger **Key:** out_ledger **Type:** number **Format:** currency #### Output VAT per VAT 201 **Key:** out_return **Type:** number **Format:** currency #### Input VAT per ledger **Key:** in_ledger **Type:** number **Format:** currency #### Input VAT per VAT 201 **Key:** in_return **Type:** number **Format:** currency #### Output difference **Key:** out_diff **Type:** number **Expr:** out_ledger - out_return **Format:** currency #### Input difference **Key:** in_diff **Type:** number **Expr:** in_ledger - in_return **Format:** currency #### Net payable difference **Key:** net_diff **Type:** number **Expr:** (out_ledger - in_ledger) - (out_return - in_return) **Format:** currency **Rows:** **Period:** 2026-06 and 2026-07 **Out ledger:** 412500 **Out return:** 412500 **In ledger:** 287300 **In return:** 286900 **Period:** 2026-08 and 2026-09 **Out ledger:** 455800 **Out return:** 453100 **In ledger:** 301200 **In return:** 301200 **Period:** 2026-10 and 2026-11 **Out ledger:** 438900 **Out return:** 438900 **In ledger:** 296450 **In return:** 298050 **Totals:** #### Total output difference **Key:** out_diff **Agg:** sum **Format:** currency #### Total input difference **Key:** in_diff **Agg:** sum **Format:** currency #### Total net difference **Key:** net_diff **Agg:** sum **Format:** currency **Summary:** #### Average net difference per period **Key:** avg_net **Expr:** sum_net_diff / count **Format:** currency **Notes:** Take ledger figures from the VAT control or VAT output and input accounts for the same tax period dates as the return. Differences are timing, adjustments or errors, and need an explanation. This is a working paper, not tax advice. Confirm treatment with your tax practitioner or SARS guidance. ## Content **Intro:** Every VAT period, the figures on the return should agree with the VAT accounts in your ERP, or the difference should be explained. This worksheet lines the two up by period and calculates output, input and net differences for you. **Sections:** #### How to use it **Body:** Add one row per VAT period. Enter output and input VAT from the ledger accounts for exactly the dates of the period, then the amounts you declared on the VAT 201. The sheet shows the difference in each, and the net difference in the amount payable or refundable. Anything other than zero needs a note: a late invoice, a credit note in the next period, a manual journal or a coding error. #### Where differences come from **Body:** Most differences are timing. Invoices dated in one period but captured in the next, supplier invoices received after the return was submitted, and credit notes are typical causes. Others are classification: an item coded as standard rated that should be zero rated or exempt, or input VAT claimed on an expense that is denied. Manual journals to the VAT accounts also bypass the transaction coding and are worth reviewing. **Bullets:** - Cut off errors between months - Wrong VAT code on a transaction - Manual journals posted to VAT accounts - Imports and customs VAT captured late #### Good practice **Body:** Reconcile every period, not only at year end. Keep the signed worksheet with the submitted return and the supporting reports from the ERP, so you can answer a SARS query quickly. Where a difference carries forward, record where it will correct. Review your VAT codes at least once a year and after any change of rate or ERP configuration. **Cta:** If this reconciliation is a manual monthly chore, we can build a report that pulls the VAT ledger and flags unusual postings automatically. **Faq:** #### Which VAT accounts should I use? **Answer:** Use the output VAT and input VAT control accounts your ERP posts to, for the exact start and end dates of the return period. If you use a single VAT control account, split the debits and credits. #### What if the net difference is small? **Answer:** Small differences still need an explanation, even if you decide not to correct them. Rounding is acceptable only if you can show it. Record the reason so the reviewer and any auditor can see it was considered. #### Does this work for other countries? **Answer:** The layout works for any VAT or GST return that has output and input tax. Rename the columns and use your local return amounts. The labels here follow the South African VAT 201. #### Is this tax advice? **Answer:** No. It is a working paper to compare two sets of numbers. Tax treatment depends on your facts, so confirm it with a registered tax practitioner or the relevant SARS guidance. ## Search terms vat 201 reconciliation template, south africa vat reconciliation excel, sars vat 201 workpaper, vat control account reconciliation, syspro vat reconciliation, sage pastel vat reconciliation, vat return vs ledger --- Talk to an engineer: https://netray.co/contact?intent=erp_ai | Machine catalog: https://netray.co/agent/catalog.json