VAT Calculator
Add or remove VAT at the South African rate of 15% — and see exactly how much of any price is VAT.
By Hiree Editorial · Independent educational publisher · Published 18 August 2026 · Updated 18 August 2026
VAT amount
R 172,50
Amount excluding VAT
R 1 150,00
Amount including VAT
R 1 322,50
The total of R 1 322,50 is what your customer pays.
How the calculation works
VAT is charged on top of the price of most goods and services. The standard rate has been 15% since 1 April 2018, and two simple formulas cover every case:
- Adding VAT — a price that excludes VAT (your selling price) becomes the total the customer pays by multiplying by 1.15. For example, R1,000 × 1.15 = R1,150, with R150 being VAT.
- Removing VAT — a price that includes VAT (what you see on a till slip) divides by 1.15 to find the VAT-free amount. For example, R1,150 ÷ 1.15 = R1,000.
- The 15/115 rule — to find only the VAT inside a VAT-inclusive price, multiply by 15 ÷ 115 (0.1304). R1,150 × 15 ÷ 115 = R150.
Registered vendors charge VAT at 15% on taxable supplies, deduct the VAT they paid on business purchases, and pay the difference to SARS on their bi-monthly VAT201 return. Want the detail? Read our guide to how VAT works in South Africa.
Assumptions
This calculator assumes:
- The standard rate of 15% applies (unchanged since April 2018).
- All amounts are in rand and rounded to the nearest cent.
- Zero-rated goods (basic foodstuffs, petrol, illuminating paraffin, exports) carry no VAT — leave the rate at 0% for those.
- Amounts below R1.00 are handled like any other: divide by 1.15 and round to cents.
Important limitations
- Not every supply attracts VAT. Zero-rated items are taxed at 0% and exempt supplies — most financial services, residential rent and school fees — are outside the VAT system entirely, so no VAT appears on those invoices.
- Rounding can differ by a cent. SARS accepts the standard rounding of the VAT portion to the nearest cent, but different software may round intermediate values differently on large invoices.
- The rate field is for current transactions. Change it to 14% only to check invoices from before April 2018. SARS publishes the historical rates in the VAT 404 guide.
- This is a quick calculation, not tax advice. For VAT returns, invoices and registration, use SARS's own tools or consult a registered tax practitioner.
Frequently asked questions
Is VAT still 15% in 2026?
Yes. The 15% rate introduced in April 2018 is unchanged. The increases proposed in the 2025 Budget (15.5% in May 2025 and 16% in April 2026) were reversed before taking effect, and the 2026 Budget kept the rate at 15%.
What's the difference between zero-rated and exempt?
Zero-rated supplies are inside the VAT system but taxed at 0% — basic foodstuffs such as brown bread, maize meal and fresh fruit, plus petrol, illuminating paraffin and exports. A registered vendor still accounts for them on its VAT201 return. Exempt supplies, such as most financial services, residential rent and school fees, are outside the system: no VAT is charged and no input VAT can be claimed on costs related to them.
How do I remove VAT from a price?
Divide the VAT-inclusive price by 1.15 to get the VAT-free amount, or multiply it by 15 ÷ 115 to get just the VAT. For example, R1,150 includes R150 of VAT and R1,000 of net price. Use the "Remove VAT" mode of this calculator and it does both at once.
Do I charge VAT on everything if I'm registered?
No. You charge 15% on standard-rated taxable supplies, 0% on zero-rated supplies, and no VAT on exempt supplies. Your invoices must show the VAT amount separately, your VAT registration number and the rate applied. From 1 April 2026 you must register once your turnover of taxable supplies reaches R2.3 million a year (voluntary registration is allowed from R120,000).
Related guides
How to Register for VAT in South Africa
Register for VAT in South Africa: understand the R2.3 million threshold, voluntary registration, the VAT101 process, and your next steps.
Read →How VAT Works in South Africa
Learn how South African VAT works: output and input tax, VAT201 returns, invoices, penalties, and the current registration threshold.
Read →VAT for Small Businesses in South Africa
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Read →VAT-Inclusive vs VAT-Exclusive Pricing
Learn VAT-inclusive and VAT-exclusive pricing, how to convert between them, and what South African tax invoices must show.
Read →What is VAT?
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