VAT Calculator
Enter a VAT rate and a price to find the VAT amount. Use the result to add to or subtract from the price.
To add VAT: enter VAT % and the ex-VAT price — add the result to the price.
To remove VAT: divide the VAT-inclusive price by (1 + VAT rate/100).
VAT rates by country
| Country | Standard VAT rate | VAT on £/€100 |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 20% | £20.00 |
| Germany | 19% | €19.00 |
| France | 20% | €20.00 |
| Netherlands | 21% | €21.00 |
| Sweden | 25% | €25.00 |
| Ireland | 23% | €23.00 |
| Spain | 21% | €21.00 |
| Italy | 22% | €22.00 |
| Australia (GST) | 10% | A$10.00 |
How to add VAT to a price
- Enter the VAT rate (e.g. 20) in the first field.
- Enter the ex-VAT price in the second field.
- Click Calculate — the result is the VAT amount.
- Add the VAT amount to the ex-VAT price to get the VAT-inclusive total.
Example: 20% VAT on £150 ex-VAT: VAT = £30, total = £180.
How to remove VAT from a price
To find the ex-VAT price from a VAT-inclusive price, divide by (1 + VAT rate/100).
Example: A product costs £120 including 20% VAT. Ex-VAT = £120 ÷ 1.20 = £100. VAT amount = £120 − £100 = £20.
Standard and reduced VAT rates by country
| Country | Standard | Reduced | Zero-rated |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 20% | 5% (energy, mobility aids) | Yes (food, children’s clothing, books) |
| Germany | 19% | 7% (food, books, transport) | No |
| France | 20% | 10% and 5.5% (food, water, books) | No (2.1% super-reduced) |
| Netherlands | 21% | 9% (food, medicines, books) | Yes (some medical) |
| Ireland | 23% | 13.5% and 9% (hospitality, newspapers) | Yes (food, oral medicines, children’s clothing) |
| Spain | 21% | 10% (food, medicine) and 4% (basic foods) | No |
| Sweden | 25% | 12% (food) and 6% (books, transport) | No |
| Belgium | 21% | 12% and 6% (food, medicines) | No |
| Poland | 23% | 8% and 5% (food, books) | No |
| Australia (GST) | 10% | None | Yes (fresh food, medical, education) |
Zero-rated vs VAT-exempt: what is the difference?
These two categories are often confused but they are legally different, especially for businesses that need to reclaim VAT.
- Zero-rated — VAT is charged at 0%. Businesses selling zero-rated goods can still reclaim the VAT they paid on their own costs (input VAT). UK examples: most food, children’s clothing, printed books, prescription medicines.
- VAT-exempt — VAT does not apply at all. Businesses providing exempt supplies generally cannot reclaim the VAT on related costs. Examples: financial services, insurance, most education, most health services.
VAT for freelancers and small businesses
In the UK, VAT registration is compulsory when your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 per year (threshold from April 2024). Once registered:
- You must charge VAT on taxable sales (output VAT) and show it separately on invoices.
- You can reclaim VAT on eligible business purchases (input VAT).
- You submit quarterly VAT returns and pay HMRC the difference between output and input VAT.
- If your input VAT exceeds output VAT in any quarter, you receive a refund from HMRC.
VAT thresholds differ by country. In the Netherlands the threshold is €20,000; Germany has a Kleinunternehmer (small trader) exemption for businesses under €25,000 turnover.
VAT-inclusive vs ex-VAT pricing
Consumer-facing prices are always shown VAT-inclusive. Business-to-business invoices typically show the ex-VAT price with the VAT amount listed separately, so the buyer can reclaim it.
| Scenario | Ex-VAT price | VAT (20%) | VAT-inclusive total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laptop for home office | £800 | £160 | £960 |
| Software subscription | £50/mo | £10/mo | £60/mo |
| Contractor invoice | £2,000 | £400 | £2,400 |
| Office furniture | £1,500 | £300 | £1,800 |
A registered business buying the laptop above pays £960 but can reclaim the £160 VAT, so the effective cost is just £800 — a significant difference on large purchases.
Also on this site
- Percentage Calculator — find X% of Y, or what percent X is of Y
- Discount Calculator — find the sale price after any percentage off
- Percentage Change Calculator — measure increase or decrease between two values
- Tip Calculator — calculate a tip for any bill amount
- How to Calculate VAT — full guide with worked examples
FAQ
What is VAT?
VAT (Value Added Tax) is a consumption tax added to goods and services at each stage of production and distribution. The final consumer pays the full VAT amount. In the US the equivalent is sales tax, which is only charged at the point of sale.
How do I calculate 20% VAT?
Multiply the ex-VAT price by 0.20 to find the VAT amount, then add it to the price. For £80 ex-VAT: 80 × 0.20 = £16 VAT, total = £96. Or enter 20 and 80 in the calculator above.
How do I remove VAT from a price?
Divide the VAT-inclusive price by (1 + VAT/100). For a £120 price with 20% VAT: 120 ÷ 1.20 = £100 ex-VAT.
What is the VAT rate in the UK?
The standard VAT rate in the United Kingdom is 20%. A reduced rate of 5% applies to items such as domestic energy and children’s car seats. Some items (e.g. most food, children’s clothing) are zero-rated.
Is VAT the same as sales tax?
No. VAT is collected at every stage of the supply chain; sales tax is only collected at the final point of sale. Both are percentage-based taxes on the price of goods or services, so the calculation method is the same.