Reverse VAT Calculator for South Africa
Enter a VAT-inclusive amount in rand and get the VAT-exclusive price and the 15% VAT it contains.
Result
Enter an amount to see the result.
For general information only, not tax advice. Some supplies are zero-rated or exempt – check with SARS if you are unsure.
How to remove VAT from an amount
Divide the VAT-inclusive amount by 1.15. The answer is the VAT-exclusive price; the difference is the VAT.
| Formula | Example: R115 | |
|---|---|---|
| VAT-exclusive price | total ÷ 1.15 | R115 ÷ 1.15 = R100.00 |
| VAT | total − VAT-exclusive price | R115 − R100 = R15.00 |
| VAT (shortcut) | total × 15 ÷ 115 | R115 × 15 ÷ 115 = R15.00 |
Taking 15% off the total is a common mistake. On R115 it gives R97.75, which is R2.25 too low, because the VAT was calculated on R100, not on R115.
Examples: VAT inside common amounts
| Amount including VAT | VAT-exclusive | VAT (15%) |
|---|---|---|
| R50 | R43.48 | R6.52 |
| R100 | R86.96 | R13.04 |
| R500 | R434.78 | R65.22 |
| R1,000 | R869.57 | R130.43 |
| R1,150 | R1,000.00 | R150.00 |
Amounts are rounded to the nearest cent. The calculator works out the VAT-exclusive price first and then subtracts it from the total, so the two always add back to the amount you entered.
VAT rates in South Africa
| Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|
| 15% | Standard rate: most goods and services |
| 0% | Zero-rated supplies |
Exempt supplies also carry no VAT, but they are not zero-rated and are treated differently on a VAT return. The proposed increases to 15.5% and 16% announced in March 2025 were reversed, so the rate remains 15%.
Source: SARS – Value-Added Tax.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate VAT backwards in South Africa?
Divide the VAT-inclusive amount by 1.15. R115 ÷ 1.15 = R100 excluding VAT, so the VAT is R15. As a shortcut, the VAT in any amount that includes 15% VAT is the total × 15 ÷ 115.
Why can't I just subtract 15%?
Because the 15% was added to the VAT-exclusive price, not to the total. 15% off R115 is R97.75, but the correct VAT-exclusive price is R115 ÷ 1.15 = R100.
What is 15/115 and why is it used?
15/115 is the VAT fraction: the share of a VAT-inclusive amount that is VAT when the rate is 15%. It is the same as 3/23, or about 13.04%. Multiply a VAT-inclusive total by 15/115 to get the VAT straight away.
Is VAT in South Africa 15% or 15.5%?
15%. The 2025 Budget proposed raising VAT to 15.5% from 1 May 2025 and to 16% from 1 April 2026, but the increase was withdrawn before it took effect. SARS states the standard rate is 15%.
What does zero-rated mean?
A zero-rated supply is taxable, but at 0%, so the price contains no VAT and the VAT-exclusive amount is the same as the total. Exempt supplies also carry no VAT but are treated differently for VAT returns.
When must a business register for VAT?
SARS lists the compulsory registration threshold as taxable supplies of more than R2.3 million in 12 months from 1 April 2026 (previously R1 million). Businesses can register voluntarily from R120,000 (previously R50,000).