QuickCalc

VAT Reverse Calculator

Extract the VAT from a VAT-inclusive total.

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

Enter your details

Result

Excl. VAT
R1 000,00
VAT portion
R150,00

Inputs & results at a glance

Updates live as you change the form above.

ItemTypeValue
Total incl. VATInputR1 150,00
VAT rateInput15%
Amount excl. VATResultR1 000,00
VAT portionResultR150,00

About this calculator

Excl. = Total ÷ 1.15. VAT = Total − Excl.

If you only have a VAT-inclusive total — for example, a till slip or a quoted shelf price — you sometimes need to work backwards to find the VAT-exclusive amount and the VAT portion. This reverse VAT calculator does that instantly using the South African standard rate of 15%.

The formulas are: Excl. VAT = Total ÷ 1.15, and VAT = Total − Excl. VAT. Dividing by 1.15 works because the inclusive total represents 115% of the original price (100% goods + 15% VAT). Multiplying the inclusive total by 15/115 (or roughly 0.130435) gives the same VAT figure.

Reverse VAT calculations are useful when you're capturing supplier invoices that only show the inclusive total, when you're reconciling till slips, or when you need to issue a credit note. Always cross-check the result against the supplier's tax invoice — the VAT amount on the invoice is the figure SARS expects you to claim as input VAT.

How to use it

  1. 1Enter the VAT-inclusive total. The amount you actually paid or were quoted.
  2. 2Read the exclusive amount. The price before VAT.
  3. 3Read the VAT portion. The amount of VAT included in the total.

How it works

Sometimes you already have a VAT-inclusive total — a till slip, an inclusive quote, a shelf price — and you need to work backwards to the exclusive amount and the VAT portion. The calculator divides the inclusive total by 1.15 to recover the exclusive amount, then subtracts that from the total to give you the VAT figure. Dividing by 1.15 works because the inclusive price represents 115% of the original: 100% for the goods plus 15% VAT.

This is exactly the calculation SARS expects when you capture supplier invoices for your VAT201 return. You must be able to justify every rand of input VAT you claim, and the amount claimed must match a valid tax invoice — so always cross-check the reverse-calculated VAT against the VAT amount printed on the supplier's invoice. If the supplier is not VAT-registered, no input VAT can be claimed regardless of what the reverse calculation says.

Formula

Excl. = Total ÷ 1.15; VAT = Total − Excl. = Total × 15 ÷ 115

Total = the VAT-inclusive amount; Excl. = the exclusive price; VAT = the tax portion embedded in the total.

Worked examples

R1,150 inclusive invoice

Excl. = R1,000. VAT = R150.

R499.99 shelf price

Excl. ≈ R434.77. VAT ≈ R65.22.

Frequently asked questions

Why do I divide by 1.15?

Because the VAT-inclusive total represents 115% of the original price — 100% for the goods or services plus 15% VAT. Dividing by 1.15 recovers the 100%.

Can I use 15/115 instead?

Yes. Multiplying the inclusive total by 15 ÷ 115 (≈ 0.130435) gives you the VAT portion directly, which is often faster than subtraction.

Does this work on a supplier invoice?

It should match, but always cross-check against the VAT amount printed on the tax invoice. That printed figure is what SARS expects on your VAT201.

Can I claim input VAT if the supplier isn't registered?

No. Regardless of what the reverse calculation shows, no input VAT can be claimed unless the supplier is a VAT-registered vendor and issues a valid tax invoice with their VAT number.

Does this apply to zero-rated purchases?

No. If a purchase is zero-rated (0% VAT), the VAT-inclusive and exclusive amounts are identical — there is no VAT to extract.

What if the invoice is in a foreign currency?

Convert to Rand at the exchange rate on the date of the supply first, then apply the reverse VAT calculation. SARS specifies the exchange rate rules in the VAT Act.

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