VAT Calculator ZA
Add or remove consumption tax and see the net and gross amounts.
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How it works
Adding tax multiplies the net price by the rate and adds it on. Removing tax works backwards from a tax-inclusive price to find the original net amount.
Gross = Net × (1 + rate); Net = Gross ÷ (1 + rate)Frequently asked questions
What is the VAT rate in South Africa?
The standard rate is 15%. South Africa charges VAT at 15%. A planned increase to 15.5% and then 16% was reversed in 2025, so 15% remains the standard rate; basic foodstuffs, fuel and exports are zero-rated.
How do I add VAT to a price?
Multiply the net amount by 1.15. For example, R100 plus 15% VAT is R115.
How do I remove VAT from a total?
Divide the tax-inclusive total by 1.15. So R115 ÷ 1.15 = R100 before tax, and the VAT portion is R15.
Who has to register for VAT?
A vendor must register for VAT once taxable supplies exceed R2.3 million in a 12-month period (raised from R1 million in the 2026 Budget), with voluntary registration from R120,000.
Did South Africa’s VAT rate increase?
No. A proposed rise to 15.5% then 16% was reversed in 2025, so the rate stays at 15%.
What food is zero-rated in South Africa?
Staples such as brown bread, maize meal, rice, dried beans and fresh fruit and vegetables are zero-rated to keep them affordable.
How VAT works in South Africa
South Africa charges VAT at a standard rate of 15% on most goods and services. It is a consumption tax collected in stages: businesses add it to their sales and reclaim the VAT they pay on purchases, so the cost ultimately falls on the final consumer.
Adding and removing VAT
To add 15% VAT, multiply the net price by 1.15 — so R100 becomes R115, of which R15 is tax. To remove it from a tax-inclusive total, divide by 1.15: R115 ÷ 1.15 = R100 before tax.
Rates and registration
South Africa charges VAT at 15%. A planned increase to 15.5% and then 16% was reversed in 2025, so 15% remains the standard rate; basic foodstuffs, fuel and exports are zero-rated. A vendor must register for VAT once taxable supplies exceed R2.3 million in a 12-month period (raised from R1 million in the 2026 Budget), with voluntary registration from R120,000.
VAT is administered by SARS via the VAT201 return. Zero-rated essentials — brown bread, maize meal, rice, dried beans, fresh fruit and vegetables, and others — keep staple foods affordable while still letting vendors reclaim input VAT.
Results are estimates for general guidance in South Africa and may not reflect the latest local rates, fees or rules. Check official sources before making decisions.