VAT Calculator

Add or remove VAT from any price. Calculate VAT amount for different countries and rates.

About VAT Calculator

Add or remove VAT/GST from any price using preset rates for UK, EU, Australia, India and Canada, or enter a custom rate.

About this calculator

Value Added Tax, or VAT, is a consumption tax added at each stage of a product's supply chain and ultimately paid by the end consumer. This calculator adds VAT to a price or removes it from a VAT-inclusive price, using preset rates for the UK, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, the Nordic countries, Australia, India and Canada, or a custom rate.

It is built for the two jobs people actually have: working out the gross price from a net figure when you invoice a customer, and working out the net amount and the VAT inside a price that already includes tax when you reconcile a receipt.

How to use it

  1. Enter the Amount.
  2. Choose a VAT Rate preset or enter your own in the custom field.
  3. Choose Add VAT (price excludes VAT) or Remove VAT (price includes VAT).
  4. Read the net amount, the VAT and the gross amount.

Formulas

To add VAT: VAT = Net × Rate ÷ 100 and Gross = Net + VAT. To remove VAT: Net = Gross ÷ (1 + Rate ÷ 100) and VAT = Gross − Net. Never take the percentage off the gross figure, because it is a percentage of the net amount.

Worked example

A net price of 1,000 at the UK standard rate of 20%

Net amount1,000.00
VAT at 20%200.00
Gross amount1,200.00

Going back, a gross price of 1,200 contains 1,000 net and 200 VAT. Taking 20% off 1,200 gives 240, which is wrong.

Tips and common mistakes

  • The standard UK rate is 20%. Germany is 19%, Ireland 23%, the Netherlands 21% and Sweden 25%.
  • Many countries have reduced rates for food, books or energy. Use the custom field for those.
  • VAT-registered businesses reclaim VAT paid on purchases. Keep valid invoices.
  • Cross-border B2B services are often reverse-charged, so the rate on the invoice may be zero.
  • The currency symbol shown is only a display. The maths works for any currency.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate VAT?

Multiply the net price by the VAT rate and add it. For 20%, net × 1.20 gives the gross.

How do I remove VAT from a price?

Divide the gross price by 1 plus the rate. At 20%, divide by 1.2.

What is the VAT rate in the UK?

The standard rate is 20%, with reduced rates of 5% and 0% on specified goods and services.

Is VAT the same as GST?

They work the same way. India, Australia, Canada and New Zealand call it GST.

Can I use a custom rate?

Yes. Select Custom and enter any percentage.

Does this calculator file VAT returns?

No. It is for quick calculations and invoice checks.

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