South Africa VAT Calculator

Add VAT to a net price or work the VAT back out of a VAT-inclusive total, using South Africa's 15% rate or any rate you enter.

South Africa charges Value Added Tax (VAT) at a standard rate of 15%, with certain basic foods zero-rated. This calculator works both ways: enter a price before tax to see the VAT-inclusive total, or enter a VAT-inclusive total to back out the net price and the tax portion. Change the rate field if your goods fall under a different band.

How to add and remove VAT

Adding VAT multiplies the net price by one plus the rate; removing it divides the gross price by one plus the rate.

Add: Gross = Net × (1 + rate ÷ 100)
Remove: Net = Gross ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100)
VAT = Gross − Net
Net price+ 15% VATGross
R10.00R1.50R11.50
R50.00R7.50R57.50
R100.00R15.00R115.00

Worked example

Removing VAT from a R115.00 VAT-inclusive total at 15%:

Net = R115.00 ÷ 1.15R100.00
VAT = gross − netR15.00

When to change the rate

The default is South Africa's standard VAT rate, but not everything is taxed at the standard rate. Reduced and zero rates apply to specific categories, and rates change over time. If your invoice shows a different rate, type it into the rate field and the calculator adjusts. For anything you're filing or invoicing, follow SARS's current guidance.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add VAT in South Africa?
Multiply the net amount by 1 plus the rate. At 15%, R10 becomes R11.50 including VAT.
How do I remove VAT from a total?
Divide the gross amount by 1 plus the rate. The result is the net (pre-VAT) price, and the difference is the VAT.
What is the VAT rate in South Africa?
South Africa's standard VAT rate is 15%. Some basic foodstuffs are zero-rated — change the rate above if yours differs.
Is this figure official?
It's a quick estimate using the rate you enter. For filing, follow SARS's current rules and rates.

Related calculators

A quick estimate using the rate you enter. VAT rates and rules change and vary by product — follow SARS's current rules for invoicing and filing.
Written by the CalcPine team · Reviewed for accuracy · Last updated 13 July 2026 · Method: gross = net × (1 + rate); net = gross ÷ (1 + rate).