Business & Work
South Africa VAT Calculator - Add or Remove 15% VAT
Add or remove South African VAT - 15% standard rate pre-filled.
Free to useNo sign-up requiredNo watermarkRuns in your browser
Last reviewed: 30 September 2026 by Vishal Senthilkumar
South Africa's standard VAT rate is 15%. This calculator has it pre-filled, so you can go straight to entering an amount. A small number of essential goods are zero-rated (0%) rather than taxed at the standard rate.
It works in both directions: add VAT to a price, or work out the pre-VAT amount and VAT from a price that already includes it. VAT rates are set by SARS and can change - confirm the current rate before relying on a figure for invoicing or filing.
How this tool works
Choose add or remove
Adding VAT to a price and extracting it from a VAT-inclusive price are different calculations.
The 15% standard rate is already set
Tap 0% instead for zero-rated goods and services.
Enter the amount
The pre-VAT price if adding VAT, or the total if removing it.
How it works
Adding VAT multiplies the amount by 15% and adds it on. Removing VAT divides the VAT-inclusive total by 1.15 to get the pre-VAT amount - not a straight subtraction of 15%, which would overstate the VAT.
A short list of essential items (certain basic foodstuffs among them) are zero-rated by law rather than taxed at the standard rate.
Worked examples
R1,000 plus 15% VAT
VAT is R150, so the total charged is R1,150.
An R1,150 price that already includes 15% VAT
The pre-VAT amount is R1,000 and the VAT is R150 - not R172.50, which wrongly subtracting 15% of R1,150 would give.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current VAT rate in South Africa?
15%, the standard rate. A short list of essential goods is zero-rated. VAT rates are set by SARS and can change - always confirm the current rate before filing.
How do I remove VAT from a total that already includes it?
Divide the total by 1.15 to get the pre-VAT amount - do not simply subtract 15% from the total.
Is this official SARS guidance?
No - this is a general calculation tool. Confirm the correct rate and treatment for your specific situation with SARS or an accountant.