Tax
VAT Calculator
Add 15% VAT to a price or find the VAT and the VAT-exclusive amount inside a VAT-inclusive price, to the cent.
Result
Updates as you typePrice including VAT
R 1 150
- VAT (15%)
- R 150
- Price excluding VAT
- R 1 000
How it's calculated
VAT is charged at 15% on the VAT-exclusive price of a standard-rated supply. Working back from a VAT-inclusive price, divide by 1,15 (or multiply by 15/115) to find the amount before VAT; the VAT is the difference.
Worked example
R 2 500 at 15% VAT:
- If it excludes VAT: VAT = R 2 500 × 15% = R 375 → R 2 875 including VAT
- If it includes VAT: before VAT = R 2 500 / 1,15 = R 2 173,91 → R 326,09 VAT
VAT table
| Amount | If exclusive: total incl. VAT | If inclusive: VAT inside | If inclusive: before VAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amount: R 100 | If exclusive: total incl. VATR 115 | If inclusive: VAT insideR 13,04 | If inclusive: before VATR 86,96 |
| Amount: R 500 | If exclusive: total incl. VATR 575 | If inclusive: VAT insideR 65,22 | If inclusive: before VATR 434,78 |
| Amount: R 1 000 | If exclusive: total incl. VATR 1 150 | If inclusive: VAT insideR 130,43 | If inclusive: before VATR 869,57 |
| Amount: R 2 500 | If exclusive: total incl. VATR 2 875 | If inclusive: VAT insideR 326,09 | If inclusive: before VATR 2 173,91 |
| Amount: R 5 000 | If exclusive: total incl. VATR 5 750 | If inclusive: VAT insideR 652,17 | If inclusive: before VATR 4 347,83 |
| Amount: R 10 000 | If exclusive: total incl. VATR 11 500 | If inclusive: VAT insideR 1 304,35 | If inclusive: before VATR 8 695,65 |
| Amount: R 50 000 | If exclusive: total incl. VATR 57 500 | If inclusive: VAT insideR 6 521,74 | If inclusive: before VATR 43 478,26 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I add VAT to a price?
Multiply the price by 15% and add it, or multiply by 1,15. R 1 000 excluding VAT carries R 150 VAT, so the VAT-inclusive price is R 1 150.
How do I work out the VAT in a VAT-inclusive price?
Divide the inclusive price by 1,15 to get the amount before VAT; the difference is the VAT (equivalently, multiply the inclusive price by 15/115). R 1 150 including VAT contains R 150 VAT and R 1 000 before VAT.
What is the VAT rate in South Africa?
15% on most goods and services, as published by SARS. The increases to 15,5% and 16% proposed in 2025 were withdrawn before they took effect, so the rate has been 15% since 1 April 2018.
What is zero-rated or exempt?
Basic foodstuffs such as brown bread, maize meal, rice, vegetables, fruit, eggs and milk, as well as fuel and exports, are zero-rated; residential rentals, public transport by road and rail, and financial services are exempt. This calculator assumes a standard-rated supply.
Who must register for VAT?
A business whose taxable supplies exceed R 2 300 000 in any 12-month period must register (the threshold rose from R1 million on 1 April 2026); voluntary registration is possible from R120 000.
Sources
Assumes a standard-rated supply; zero-rated and exempt supplies are not covered. Results are for guidance only.
VAT 15% · Updated: