Till Slips (Grade 12 NSC Matric Mathematical Literacy): Revision Notes
Till Slips
What is a till slip?
A till slip is a receipt that you receive every time you purchase something from a shop or store. It serves as proof of your purchase and contains important information about what you bought and how much you paid.
Till slips are essential documents in South Africa - they're not just receipts, but legal proof of purchase that must meet specific government requirements. Keep them safe for returns, warranties, and personal record-keeping.
Legal requirements for South African till slips
By law, all till slips in South Africa must contain specific information to be considered valid. This ensures that both customers and businesses have proper records of transactions.
Legal Requirements for Valid Till Slips
Every valid South African till slip must include:
- Shop name - The name of the business where you made the purchase
- Shop address - The physical address of the store
- VAT number - The shop's Value Added Tax registration number
- "Tax Invoice" - These exact words must appear on the slip
- Invoice number - A unique number for that specific transaction
- Date and time - When the sale took place
- Item descriptions - What goods or services you bought
- VAT amount - How much VAT was charged (14% in South Africa)
- Total amount payable - The final amount you need to pay
If any of these elements are missing, the till slip may not be legally valid for tax purposes.
Understanding VAT on till slips
Value Added Tax (VAT) is a tax of 14% that is charged on most goods and services in South Africa. However, it's important to understand that not all items are subject to VAT.
VAT calculations
When calculating VAT, you need to understand these key formulas:
- VAT amount = VAT-inclusive price ×
- VAT-exclusive price = VAT-inclusive price ÷
- Total with VAT = VAT-exclusive price + VAT amount
VAT-exempt items
Some essential groceries are exempt from VAT to help keep basic food affordable.
VAT-Exempt Items (0% VAT)
These essential groceries do NOT have VAT added:
- Paraffin
- Brown bread
- Maize meal and samp
- Mealie rice
- Dried mealies and dried beans
- Lentils
- Tinned sardines
- Milk powder and milk
- Rice
- Vegetables and fruit
- Vegetable oil
- Eggs
Remember: Items marked with an asterisk (*) on till slips usually indicate they include VAT.
How to read a till slip
Understanding the layout and structure of a till slip helps you verify your purchases and check calculations.
Till Slip Structure
Till slips are organised in a standard format that makes it easy to find important information:
- Header section - Contains shop details, address, and VAT number
- Item list - Shows each product, quantity, and price
- Totals section - Displays subtotals, VAT amounts, and final total
- Payment section - Shows payment method and change given
- Footer - Contains date, time, and cashier information
Worked examples
Worked Example 1: Basic VAT calculation
If you buy items worth R100 including VAT:
Step 1: Calculate VAT amount VAT amount =
Step 2: Calculate price excluding VAT Price excluding VAT =
Worked Example 2: Mixed VAT and VAT-exempt items
Shopping list:
- Milk (VAT-exempt): R15.99
- Chocolate (VAT-inclusive): R22.80
- Bread (VAT-exempt): R12.50
Step 1: Add VAT-exempt items
Step 2: Calculate VAT on taxable items VAT =
Step 3: Find total Total =
Worked Example 3: Understanding till slip totals
When a till slip shows:
- Subtotal: R85.50
- VAT (14%): R11.97
- Total: R85.50
This means the subtotal already includes VAT, and the VAT line shows how much of that total is tax.
Worked Example 4: Calculating change
If the total amount due is R130.27 and you pay with R150.00:
Change =
Worked Example 5: Finding VAT-exempt total
From a receipt showing:
- T-shirt: R23.99 (with *)
- Milk: R6.95 (no *)
- Tomatoes: R11.95 (no *)
- Eggs: R7.99 (no *)
Step 1: Identify VAT-exempt items (no asterisk) Step 2: Add VAT-exempt totals VAT-exempt total =
Exam tips and common mistakes
Common Exam Traps to Avoid:
- Confusing VAT-inclusive and VAT-exclusive prices
- Forgetting that some items are VAT-exempt
- Adding VAT to prices that already include it
- Misreading which items have VAT applied
Problem-solving Approach:
- Identify which items are VAT-exempt
- Separate VAT-inclusive from VAT-exempt items
- Calculate VAT only on taxable items
- Add all amounts together for the final total
Exam-style Tips:
- Look for asterisks (*) next to items - these usually indicate VAT is included
- Check if questions ask for VAT-exclusive or VAT-inclusive amounts
- Always show your working step-by-step
- Round to the nearest cent unless told otherwise
Key Points to Remember:
- Till slips are legal documents that must contain specific information by law
- VAT in South Africa is charged at 14% on most items
- Essential groceries like bread, milk, vegetables, and fruit are VAT-exempt
- Always check whether prices include or exclude VAT before calculating
- Till slips provide proof of purchase and are important for returns and refunds
- Items with asterisks (*) usually indicate VAT is included
- VAT-exempt items = No asterisk = No VAT added