VAT Calculator South Africa — Add or Remove VAT (15% & 16%)

South Africa VAT calculator: add VAT or remove VAT instantly. Shows 15% and 16% results side by side. How to calculate VAT the right way — SARS 2026.

About the VAT Calculator South Africa — Add or Remove VAT (15% & 16%)

This VAT calculator for South Africa lets you add VAT to any ex-VAT price or remove VAT from any VAT-inclusive amount in seconds. South Africa's VAT rate changed to 16% on 1 April 2026 (up from 15.5% on 1 May 2025, and 15% before that). The calculator shows both old and new rates side by side, so you can instantly see the impact of the rate change on any invoice or price.

How to calculate VAT in South Africa: to add VAT to a net price, multiply by 1.16 (for 16%) or 1.15 (for 15%). To remove VAT from a gross (VAT-inclusive) price, divide by 1.16 — never simply multiply by 16%, which gives the wrong result when working backwards. This calculator handles both directions and both rates simultaneously, removing any guesswork.

VAT in South Africa applies to all standard-rated goods and services supplied by SARS-registered vendors. Businesses with annual taxable supplies above R1 million must register; voluntary registration is available from R50,000. Understanding ex-VAT vs incl.-VAT is essential for correct invoicing and VAT returns — one wrong figure carries through to your entire SARS submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

VAT in South Africa is currently 16%, effective from 1 April 2026. It was 15.5% from May 2025 to March 2026, and 15% from 2018 to April 2025. The 16% rate applies to all standard-rated supplies by VAT-registered vendors. Zero-rated and exempt categories (basic food, residential rent, education) are unchanged.