Disclaimer

Last updated 9 November 2026.

This disclaimer forms part of the Shap terms of use. It applies to Shap, Shap Pocket, this website and anything OpenWorks IT (Pty) Ltd (“OpenWorks”) publishes about them.

Not a tax practitioner, accountant or adviser

OpenWorks is not a registered tax practitioner (as contemplated in section 240 of the Tax Administration Act, 2011), an accountant, an auditor or a legal adviser. Shap does not provide, and must not be relied on as, accounting, tax, payroll, legal or financial advice. Use Shap to capture and collate your records for your accountant or registered tax practitioner, and obtain their advice before acting on any figure, report or guide in Shap.

VAT

Shap can prepare tax invoices, credit notes and VAT201 figures from what you capture. Whether a supply is standard-rated, zero-rated or exempt, whether input tax may be deducted, whether you must register for VAT, and whether a document meets the requirements of the Value-Added Tax Act, 1991, depend on your circumstances. The registration thresholds and rules Shap applies are as published by SARS when each version was released. You remain responsible for every return you submit and every document you issue.

SARS, payroll and other authorities

PAYE, UIF, SDL, EMP201 and EMP501 figures, IRP5 and IT3(a) source codes, provisional tax, income tax, turnover tax and dividends tax estimates, filing due dates and the step-by-step guides in Shap are aids only. They may not reflect the latest tables, rulings, legislation or your particular circumstances. SARS, the Department of Employment and Labour and other authorities may impose penalties and interest for late, incorrect or missing returns and payments. OpenWorks accepts no liability for any such penalty, interest or tax.

Your data and your backups

Shap keeps your books on your own device or server. OpenWorks has no copy of them and cannot restore them. Making regular backups, keeping your records for the periods the law requires (generally at least five years), and installing updates are your responsibility.

Updates

Updates carry security fixes and changes to tax tables, VAT, payroll and accounting rules, and need an internet connection to download. A copy of Shap that has not been updated may apply rules that no longer apply.

Prices and other shared information

Anonymous price totals and any other general information OpenWorks publishes are indications only and are not a quotation, valuation or recommendation.

No warranty and limitation of liability

Shap is provided free, as is, without warranty of any kind. To the fullest extent the law allows, OpenWorks and its directors, employees and contributors are not liable for any loss or damage arising from the use of Shap, this website or reliance on anything in them, including tax, penalties, interest, lost data or lost profit. Nothing in this disclaimer excludes liability that South African law does not allow to be excluded.