Who Qualifies for Diesel Rebates?
Entities registered for VAT under the Value-Added Tax Act (No. 89 of 1991) and conducting eligible primary production activities can claim rebates by registering with SARS using form VAT101D.
Eligible activities include:
- Crop Production: Planting, growing, harvesting, irrigation, and soil preparation
- Animal Husbandry: Breeding, feeding, and maintenance of livestock
- Forestry & Horticulture: Timber harvesting, tree nurseries, and ornamental plants
- Water & Irrigation Management: Pumping, irrigation, and water transport for farming
- Infrastructure & Earthworks: Maintenance of farm buildings, fences, roads, and equipment
Key point: Diesel used for non-eligible activities, such as transporting goods for reward, cannot be claimed and must be clearly separated in records.
How Diesel Rebates Are Calculated
Rebates typically cover 80% of eligible diesel purchases, combining both the fuel levy and the Road Accident Fund (RAF) levy.
Example Scenarios:
- Scenario 1: 1,000 litres of eligible diesel → 800 litres claimable at 366 cents per litre (148 cents fuel levy + 218 cents RAF levy)
- Scenario 2: 1,000 litres purchased, 300 litres used for non-eligible purposes → 700 litres eligible → 560 litres claimable at 366 cents per litre
This ensures rebates are only granted for diesel legitimately used in primary production activities, preventing fraud and audit issues.
Essential Record-Keeping for Diesel Rebates
Accurate, detailed documentation is critical for compliance. SmartMix Technologies supports farmers in maintaining records that meet SARS standards:
- Purchase Documentation
- Retain all diesel purchase invoices for a minimum of 5 years.
- Separate invoices for eligible and non-eligible purchases.
- Fuel Logbooks
- Record monthly opening and closing diesel levels in each piece of equipment.
- Document fuel received from storage with dates, quantities, and sources.
- Track diesel consumption per equipment, including type, ID number, hours/km, and purpose.
- Activity Tracking
- Record specific activities, locations, dates, and diesel used per activity.
- Separate eligible and non-eligible uses.
- Include operator details and equipment specifications.
- Source Verification & Supporting Data
- Manufacturer specifications and operational details (distance traveled, hours operated).
- Notes on incidents or unusual consumption.
- Compliance Checks
- Ensure records are ready for SARS audits.
- Clearly separate multiple activity streams (e.g., farming vs transport).
SmartMix automates this process, generating digital, auditable logbooks with minimal manual effort.
How SmartMix Supports Diesel Rebate Management
- Real-Time Fuel Monitoring
- Track fuel usage across tractors, generators, bowsers, and vehicles.
- Receive alerts for unusual consumption, leaks, or theft.
- Fuel Theft Prevention
- Detect unauthorized fuel removal immediately.
- Reduce losses and protect your diesel inventory.
- Automated Record-Keeping & Reporting
- Generate VAT-compliant reports automatically.
- Maintain logs that clearly separate eligible vs non-eligible diesel use.
- Rebate Optimisation
- Calculate eligible diesel and projected rebate claims.
- Ensure you claim every cent allowed under the Diesel Refund Scheme.
- Operational Insights & Analytics
- Analyse diesel consumption patterns across equipment and sites.
- Identify inefficiencies and opportunities to reduce fuel costs.
Why SmartMix Matters
With SmartMix, farmers and industrial operations can:
- Protect Diesel & Prevent Theft: Ensure every litre is accounted for.
- Simplify Compliance: Meet SARS reporting requirements effortlessly.
- Optimise Costs: Reduce fuel wastage and maximise rebates.
- Gain Data-Driven Insights: Improve operational efficiency across fleets and sites.
SmartMix is not just a fuel monitoring system — it’s a complete business intelligence platform that integrates fuel management, theft prevention, and rebate optimisation, helping South African businesses save costs, protect assets, and operate confidently.
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