About the VAT calculator
Add VAT to a price or remove it from a VAT-inclusive amount with this VAT calculator for South Africa. The standard rate of 15% is pre-filled and can be overridden for other rates.
How the VAT calculator works
Choose "Add VAT" to work out the VAT amount and gross (VAT-inclusive) price from a net amount, or "Remove VAT" to strip VAT from a gross amount and see the net price.
Adding VAT multiplies the amount by the rate; removing VAT divides by (1 + rate), because the inclusive price already contains the tax. Both directions round to cents.
The default rate is the standard South African VAT rate of 15%. Certain goods and services are zero-rated or exempt — this calculator applies a single rate you supply.
The VAT calculator formula
- Add VAT
gross = net × (1 + rate); VAT = net × rate- Remove VAT
net = gross ÷ (1 + rate); VAT = gross − netDividing reverses the inclusive amount — you cannot simply subtract 15% of the gross.
Worked example
A small business needs the VAT-inclusive price and the VAT portion of a net invoice amount.
Adding 15% VAT to an invoice line
| Amount | R 1 000,00 |
|---|---|
| I want to | Add VAT |
| VAT rate | 15.00% |
Results
- Net amount (excl. VAT)
- R 1 000,00
- VAT amount
- R 150,00
- Gross amount (incl. VAT)
- R 1 150,00
- VAT rate used
- 15.00%
Key terms
- VAT
- Value-Added Tax charged on most goods and services in South Africa at a standard rate of 15%.
- VAT-inclusive (gross)
- The final price a customer pays, including VAT.
- VAT-exclusive (net)
- The price before VAT is added — the amount on which the tax is calculated.
- Zero-rated
- Supplies taxed at 0% — no VAT is charged but the vendor can still claim input VAT. Examples include basic foodstuffs.
Frequently asked questions
What is the VAT rate in South Africa?
The standard VAT rate is 15%. This calculator pre-fills it and lets you override it for other rates.
How do I remove VAT from a price?
Divide the VAT-inclusive amount by 1 plus the rate (e.g. ÷ 1.15 for 15%). Subtracting 15% of the inclusive price gives the wrong answer.
How do I add VAT to an amount?
Multiply the net amount by 1.15 (for 15% VAT). The difference between the gross and net is the VAT amount.
Is this an output or input VAT tool?
Either — it converts a single amount in both directions. For returns, apply it per invoice line or to totals as needed.