Who Qualifies for Diesel Rebates?

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:

1. Purchase Documentation

• Retain all diesel purchase invoices for a minimum of 5 years.
• Separate invoices for eligible and non-eligible purchases.

2. 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.

3. Activity Tracking

• Record specific activities, locations, dates, and diesel used per activity.
• Separate eligible and non-eligible uses.
• Include operator details and equipment specifications.

4. Source Verification & Supporting Data

• Manufacturer specifications and operational details (distance traveled, hours operated).
• Notes on incidents or unusual consumption.

5. 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

1. Real-Time Fuel Monitoring
   • Track fuel usage across tractors, generators, bowsers, and vehicles.
   • Receive alerts for unusual consumption, leaks, or theft.
2. Fuel Theft Prevention
   • Detect unauthorized fuel removal immediately.
   • Reduce losses and protect your diesel inventory.
3. Automated Record-Keeping & Reporting
   • Generate VAT-compliant reports automatically.
   • Maintain logs that clearly separate eligible vs non-eligible diesel use.
4. Rebate Optimisation
   • Calculate eligible diesel and projected rebate claims.
   • Ensure you claim every cent allowed under the Diesel Refund Scheme.
5. 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.