VAT Calculator — South Africa

Add or remove 15% South African VAT from any amount instantly.

Last updated: June 2026

Calculation Mode

Enter a VAT-exclusive amount — we'll calculate the VAT to add.

Amount (excl. VAT)

Adds or removes the standard South African VAT rate (15%) from an amount — useful for checking prices, reconciling invoices, or verifying supplier quotes.

Key inputs explained

Amount: Enter either the VAT-exclusive (ex-VAT) or VAT-inclusive price — select which mode applies.

Basic food items (bread, milk, eggs, fresh produce) are zero-rated — VAT is charged at 0%, not 15%. Always check the VAT status of the specific goods in a transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

The standard VAT rate in South Africa is 15%, applied to most goods and services. There is a zero-rate (0%) for certain essential items such as brown bread, maize meal, milk, rice, vegetable oil, sanitary products, and some infant foods. Financial services, residential rent, and educational services are generally exempt.

A business must register for VAT with SARS if its taxable supplies exceed R1,000,000 in any consecutive 12-month period (compulsory registration). Voluntary registration is allowed if supplies exceed R50,000. Once registered, you must charge VAT on sales, file bi-monthly returns, and can claim input VAT on business expenses.

VAT-inclusive (gross) price already contains VAT — to extract the VAT: amount × (15/115). VAT-exclusive (net) price has VAT added on top — VAT = amount × 15%. Consumer prices in SA are typically displayed VAT-inclusive. B2B invoices often show prices VAT-exclusive with VAT itemised separately.