The proposed VAT increase has been withdrawn.
All information is used at your own risk. I’ve done my best to keep things accurate & minimise confusion. If you find any issues or inconsistencies please let me know.
NOTE: The VAT change is currently only applicable from 01 May 2025.
Sage Pastel released v19.4.6 to assist in implementing the 15.5% VAT update. No new versions will be released for older versions of Sage Pastel.
MULTI-USER/SERVER: In a multi-user setup, you’ll need to install to all the computers on the network or that access your data.
You can install the new release now and it will implement the new VAT type on the 01 May 2025.
Automated VAT Increase
- Download the relevant Xpress or Partner v19.4.6 from https://pastelupdate.sagesouthafrica.co.za/
- Browse to the location where you saved the file & double-click on Sage50cPartner/Xpress1946Setup.exe and click Next
- Read the Licence Agreement and tick “I accept the terms in the licence agreement”
- Click Next and select Typical Installation
- Select Next and tick Share the Xpress/Pastel folder
- Click Next and click Install
- Once the install completes, click Finish
- Select Yes to restart the machine
- Double-click the Sage 50cloud Pastel icon
- Open your company
- You’ll see a message advising you that the new tax types have been created
When opening a company on 01 May 2025, you’ll receive a message about changing all your default Tax type and to increase your inclusive prices.
- Make a Backup by clicking Backup – Refer to the Backup below for guidance
- Select the option to Increase Inclusive prices. and click OK
Manual VAT Increase
If you don’t update to the latest 19.4.6 version, you’ll need to manually change your tax settings.
- Take a Backup
- Creating a new tax type
- Using the Tax Type Adjustment
Creating a new tax type
- Click Setup and then Tax
- Click General Settings
- Select the Percentages tab and scroll down until you get to an unused line
- Enter a Description
- Enter the Tax %
- Enter the start date
- Set the end date 10 years into the future
- Click OK
- When you get the message to recalculate the taxes click OK
NOTE: If you use recurring batches in Journals, Cash Books or Customers Invoices, you’ll need to change the tax types on those batches
Using the Tax Type Adjustment
You use this feature when you wanted to change the default or forced tax type of your master file accounts in bulk.
This feature is only available in Sage 50cloud Pastel Partner.
Xpress customers will need to change the Tax types one by one.
- Click Edit and then Tax Type Adjustment
- Click Next and then select the master file type you want to change
- Select the range to use
- Select the Old tax type setting to work with Default tax type or Forced tax type
- Select the tax type you are going to change from
EXAMPLE: 15 – Vat – Standard rated (15%). - Select the New tax type setting to work with Default tax type or Forced tax type
- Select the new tax type you are going to change to
EXAMPLE: 20 – Vat – Standard rated (15.5%) - Click Next and then Process
- Click Finish
Backup
A backup of your company data ensures you have a restore point in the event you need to rewind in time.
Your backups are date stamped. This ensures that you don’t overwrite previous backups & to make it easier to find the correct backup when restoring your data.
NOTE: If working in a multi-user environment, ensure you process the backup on the server.
Processing a backup
- Log all users out of the company
- Click File then Backup
- There are two verify methods:
- No Checking -This option backs up without verifying the integrity of the data
- Ensure Files Readable – This option verifies that your data is readable before performing the backup
- Images – Select this option if you have images you want to back up
- Browse to the location you want to save your backup
- Click Process
NOTE: If you select to back up to your local drive, you will receive a message advising you of this. Click Yes to continue. - Once the backup process completes, click Yes to check backup
- Once complete click Close