VAT Calculator South Africa

Value Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax levied on most goods and services in South Africa.

The current standard VAT rate is 15%.

This online calculator helps you easily calculate VAT amounts, whether you know the price including VAT or excluding VAT.  

How to Use the Calculator:

1. Enter Product Price (R): In the input box labeled “Enter Product Price (R),” type the price of the product or service. You can enter the price with or without the “R” currency symbol, and the calculator will automatically format it for you. Only numerical values and a single decimal point are allowed.
2. Understanding the Results: The calculator will display two sets of results: “VAT Exclusive” and “VAT Inclusive.”

Explanation of Results:

VAT Exclusive: This section shows the breakdown when you enter a price including VAT.

• Amount excluding VAT: This is the original price of the product or service before VAT was added. This is calculated by dividing the total amount by 1.15 (1 + 0.15 for the 15% VAT rate).
• VAT Amount: This is the actual amount of VAT included in the total price. It is calculated by subtracting the “Amount excluding VAT” from the original amount entered.
• Amount including VAT: This is the total price you entered, which includes the VAT. This is just a restatement of the input for clarity.

Example (VAT Exclusive):

Let’s say you enter “R 115” as the product price.

• Amount excluding VAT: R 100 (R 115 / 1.15)
• VAT Amount: R 15 (R 115 – R 100)
• Amount including VAT: R 115

VAT Inclusive: This section shows the breakdown when you enter a price excluding VAT.

• Amount excluding VAT: This is the original price you entered, before VAT is added.
• VAT Amount: This is the amount of VAT that will be added to the original price. It is calculated by multiplying the “Amount excluding VAT” by 0.15.
• Amount including VAT: This is the total price after VAT has been added. It is calculated by adding the “VAT Amount” to the original “Amount excluding VAT”.

Example (VAT Inclusive):

Let’s say you enter “R 100” as the product price.

• Amount excluding VAT: R 100
• VAT Amount: R 15 (R 100 * 0.15)
• Amount including VAT: R 115 (R 100 + R 15)  

Key Points about VAT in South Africa:

• The current standard VAT rate in South Africa is 15%.  
• Some goods and services are zero-rated (0% VAT) or exempt from VAT. This calculator applies the standard 15% rate.  
• VAT is collected by businesses on behalf of the South African Revenue Service (SARS).  

Troubleshooting:

• If you enter non-numeric characters (other than a single decimal point), the calculator will remove them.
• If the results seem incorrect, double-check that you have entered the price correctly.

Disclaimer:

This calculator is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional financial advice.

Always consult with a qualified accountant or tax advisor for specific financial guidance.