South Africa VAT Calculator
Add 15% VAT to a net price, or work backwards from a VAT-inclusive total, for South Africa. Free and instant.
Presets show each country’s standard rate. Most countries also have reduced or zero rates for specific goods (food, books, medicine); enter those with the custom rate box. Rates change by law, so confirm the current rate for your category before invoicing.
How VAT works in South Africa
The standard rate is 15%. Adding VAT means multiplying the net price by 1.15. Removing it is the step people get wrong: you divide the gross by 1.15, you do not subtract 15%. Taking 15% off a VAT-inclusive total leaves you short, because the 15% was charged on the smaller net figure, not on the total.
Adding 15% VAT
| Net amount | VAT at 15% | Gross amount |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 15 | 115 |
| 250 | 37.50 | 287.50 |
| 500 | 75 | 575 |
| 1,000 | 150 | 1,150 |
| 2,500 | 375 | 2,875 |
| 5,000 | 750 | 5,750 |
| 10,000 | 1,500 | 11,500 |
Removing 15% VAT from a gross amount
Use this direction when you have a receipt or an inclusive price and need the net figure for your books:
| Gross amount | Net amount | VAT included |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 86.96 | 13.04 |
| 250 | 217.39 | 32.61 |
| 500 | 434.78 | 65.22 |
| 1,000 | 869.57 | 130.43 |
| 2,500 | 2,173.91 | 326.09 |
| 5,000 | 4,347.83 | 652.17 |
| 10,000 | 8,695.65 | 1,304.35 |
Reduced and zero rates
Not everything is charged at 15%. In South Africa the reduced and zero rates cover 0% on a defined basket of basic foods such as brown bread, maize meal, rice, lentils and paraffin. The calculator above accepts any rate, so switch to a custom rate when you are invoicing something outside the standard band.
Registering and charging
Registration is compulsory above R1 million of taxable turnover in any 12 months. Until you are registered you must not charge VAT, and once you are, your invoices need your registration number, the rate applied and the VAT amount shown separately. Keep the arithmetic on the invoice consistent with your filings: rounding each line differently is a common source of small mismatches.
VAT in other countries
UK VAT Ireland VAT Germany VAT France VAT Italy VAT Spain VAT All Countries
Frequently asked questions
What is the VAT rate in South Africa?
The standard rate is 15%. Reduced or zero rates apply to 0% on a defined basket of basic foods such as brown bread, maize meal, rice, lentils and paraffin.
How do I add 15% VAT to a price?
Multiply the net price by 1.15. For example 1,000 net becomes 1,150 gross, of which 150 is VAT.
How do I remove 15% VAT from a total?
Divide the gross amount by 1.15. A 1,000 inclusive total is 869.57 net plus 130.43 of VAT. Subtracting 15% from the total gives the wrong answer.
Is this South Africa VAT calculator free?
Yes. It runs entirely in your browser, there is no sign-up, and nothing you type is sent anywhere.