On 16 and 17 April 2026, MaxProf, in partnership with COGTA KwaZulu-Natal, hosted a VAT training programme at the SALGA KZN offices in Durban. The invitation was extended to all municipal officials within finance departments across the province and was met with a strong turnout of officials eager to strengthen their VAT knowledge and practical application.
This collaboration with COGTA KZN stemmed from a shared recognition of a growing need within local government to enhance VAT capability. VAT remains a niche specialisation, yet it has far-reaching implications across sectors, industries, and organisations. Municipalities in particular face increasing complexity in VAT compliance, audit readiness, and interpretation of evolving guidance.
The training was facilitated by Lesiba Mphahlele, Training Manager at MaxProf, whose ability to simplify complex VAT concepts, coupled with his relatable delivery and well-timed humour, kept participants engaged throughout the two-day programme. The interactive approach encouraged questions, discussion, and practical problem-solving, creating a learning environment that resonated strongly with attendees.
The programme covered the following key focus areas:
Day 1: VAT Developments and Audit Readiness
- Evolution of VAT apportionment methods with specific focus on BGR 16 and BGR 4
- Key changes affecting municipalities, including exclusions, adjustments, and treatment of grants and capital assets
- VAT modernisation and regulatory developments, including e-invoicing and real-time VAT reporting
- Audit readiness from both SARS and AGSA perspectives
- Common VAT audit risks, reconciliations, and practical strategies to manage audit queries
Day 2: BGR 74, Grants, and Municipal Implementation
- Interpretation and application of BGR 74 for municipalities
- VAT treatment of municipal grants and alignment with National Treasury and SARS guidance
- Practical case studies based on real municipal audit engagements
- Insights gained from AGSA interactions, focusing on governance, controls, and documentation
- Programme wrap-up highlighting key learnings and practical takeaways
The training concluded with closing remarks that reinforced the importance of continuous learning and collaboration to improve VAT compliance and audit outcomes within local government. Feedback from participants reflected strong appreciation for the practical focus, up-to-date content, and relevance of the material to their daily responsibilities.
MaxProf extends its appreciation to COGTA KZN and SALGA KZN for their partnership and support in making this training a success, and remains committed to supporting municipalities through specialised, practical VAT training that strengthens compliance and service delivery.
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