QuickCalc

VAT Calculator (South Africa)

Add 15% VAT to a price.

Reviewed by The QuickCalc Editorial Team · Last updated · About our methodology

Enter your details

Result

Total incl. VAT
R1 150,00
VAT amount
R150,00

Inputs & results at a glance

Updates live as you change the form above.

ItemTypeValue
Amount excl. VATInputR1 000,00
VAT rateInput15%
VAT amountResultR150,00
Total incl. VATResultR1 150,00

About this calculator

Total = Amount × 1.15. VAT = Amount × 0.15.

Value Added Tax (VAT) in South Africa is charged at a standard rate of 15% on most goods and services. This calculator adds VAT to a VAT-exclusive price so you can quote customers, build invoices or check supplier pricing in seconds. The formula is simply Total = Amount × 1.15, with the VAT portion equal to Amount × 0.15.

VAT was raised from 14% to 15% on 1 April 2018, and remains the rate today. Businesses with taxable turnover above R1 million in any 12-month period must register for VAT with SARS, and may register voluntarily once turnover exceeds R50,000. Once registered, you charge VAT on your sales (output VAT) and reclaim VAT on qualifying business purchases (input VAT).

If you already have a VAT-inclusive total and need to extract the VAT portion — for example, to record it on a tax invoice — use our VAT Reverse Calculator instead. Always show VAT separately on tax invoices and keep records for at least five years to comply with the VAT Act.

How to use it

  1. 1Enter the amount excluding VAT. The price of the product or service before VAT.
  2. 2Read the VAT amount. 15% of the entered amount.
  3. 3Read the VAT-inclusive total. The amount you charge the customer.

How it works

South African VAT is a flat 15% output tax added by VAT-registered vendors to the price of most goods and services. The calculator takes a VAT-exclusive amount, multiplies it by 0.15 to work out the VAT portion, and adds that to the original amount to give you the VAT-inclusive total your customer will actually pay. Because VAT is proportional (not tiered), the maths is the same whether you are pricing a R50 coffee or a R5 million contract.

VAT-registered vendors must issue a valid tax invoice for supplies of R5,000 or more, showing the words 'tax invoice', the vendor's VAT number, the exclusive amount, the VAT amount and the inclusive total separately. For supplies under R5,000 an abridged tax invoice is allowed. The output VAT you charge on sales is offset against the input VAT you can reclaim on qualifying business purchases, and the net amount is paid to SARS every two months on your VAT201 return.

Formula

VAT = Amount × 0.15; Total = Amount × 1.15

Amount = the VAT-exclusive price; VAT = the tax portion at 15%; Total = the VAT-inclusive amount you invoice.

Worked examples

R1,000 service quote

VAT = R150. Total invoiced = R1,150.

R25,499 laptop trade price

VAT = R3,824.85. Retail (inclusive) price ≈ R29,323.85.

Frequently asked questions

What is the current VAT rate in South Africa?

15%. VAT rose from 14% to 15% on 1 April 2018 and has remained at 15% since.

Who must register for VAT?

Any business with taxable turnover exceeding R1 million in any 12-month period must register. Voluntary registration is allowed once turnover exceeds R50,000 in a 12-month period.

Do I have to issue tax invoices?

Yes. For supplies of R5,000 or more you must issue a full tax invoice showing your VAT number, the exclusive amount, the VAT and the inclusive total. For smaller supplies an abridged invoice is allowed.

Which items are zero-rated?

Basic foodstuffs like brown bread, maize meal, rice, samp, dried beans and lentils, plus international transport and certain agricultural inputs. Zero-rated means 0% VAT but input VAT can still be claimed.

What's the difference between zero-rated and exempt?

Zero-rated supplies are taxable at 0% — you charge no VAT but can claim input VAT. Exempt supplies (residential rentals, educational services, most financial services) are outside the VAT system — no VAT charged, no input VAT claim.

How often do I submit VAT returns?

Most vendors are on a two-month cycle (Category A or B). Larger vendors (turnover over R30 million) submit monthly. Returns and payment are due by the 25th of the month after the tax period ends.

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