VAT Calculator
Add VAT or remove it — the right way, at 15% or any rate you set.
How this is calculated
Add: inclusive = exclusive × (1 + rate) · Remove: exclusive = inclusive ÷ (1 + rate)
The trap is in the removal direction. VAT was added as a percentage of the smaller excluding-VAT number, so you cannot take the same percentage off the bigger including-VAT number. At 15%: R115 − 15% = R97.75 (wrong); R115 ÷ 1.15 = R100 (right). The calculator always divides.
Quick reference at 15%
| Excluding VAT | VAT (15%) | Including VAT |
|---|---|---|
| R100 | R15.00 | R115.00 |
| R250 | R37.50 | R287.50 |
| R1,000 | R150.00 | R1,150.00 |
| R9,999 | R1,499.85 | R11,498.85 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I add 15% VAT to a price?
Multiply the excluding-VAT price by 1.15. R100 excluding VAT becomes R115 including VAT — R15 of it is the VAT. The calculator does this live in the "Add VAT" direction.
How do I remove VAT from a price?
Divide the including-VAT price by 1.15 — do not subtract 15%. R115 ÷ 1.15 = R100 excluding VAT. Subtracting 15% of R115 (R17.25) would over-remove, which is the single most common VAT mistake.
What is the VAT rate in South Africa?
The standard rate is 15%, in effect since 1 April 2018. Some items are zero-rated (basic foods like brown bread, maize meal, rice) or exempt (certain financial and residential services). The calculator defaults to 15% and lets you set any other rate.
Does this work for other countries?
Yes — change the rate: UK VAT is 20%, Ireland 23%, Germany 19%, UAE 5%, and the math is identical everywhere. The rate field accepts any percentage, so it also works for GST in Australia (10%) or New Zealand (15%).