VAT calculator
FinanceNo. 79 / 84
Add VAT to a net amount or take it out of a gross one, with net, tax and total updating as you type at any rate.
VAT is included in the price. so is the mild disappointment.
work surface
Math, not advice — results are indicative.Read the disclaimer.
most-used utilities
Invoice line
Turn a net fee into the gross figure to invoice, tax included and no guesswork.
Receipt autopsy
Peel the VAT out of a total and see what the item actually cost before the state took its share.
Shelf price check
Confirm that a consumer price still leaves the margin you planned once the tax is removed.
pro tips
Removing VAT means dividing by 1 plus the rate, not subtracting the rate. Take 20% off $120 and you get $96; the correct net is $100.
Decide whether you round per line or on the total before sending an invoice. Rounding each line can shift a cent or two, and accountants notice cents.
Consumer prices usually include VAT already. If a quote looks suspiciously round, check whether the tax is inside it or sitting on top.
what it does
Two directions, one box. Add VAT and the amount you type counts as net; remove VAT and it counts as the gross someone already paid. Type the figure, type the rate, and net, tax and total recalculate while you are still deciding whether to round.
It earns its keep on invoices, quotes and shelf prices. A freelancer adding 20% to a quote sees the exact number to bill. A consumer can peel the tax back off a receipt and find out what the item actually cost. A small shop can check that a consumer price still leaves a margin after tax.
A gross total of $240.00 at 20% contains $40.00 of VAT and $200.00 of net. Add the same 20% to $200.00 and you are back at $240.00, which is the entire trick. The chips cover 5, 10, 20 and 25, and the rate field accepts decimals for the odd 19 or 21.
Results round to cents for display, and the copy button produces a three-line breakdown for an invoice or a very polite email. Rates vary by country and by product, with reduced rates on everything from bread to books, so type the one that applies. The widget does not know your tax code and certainly does not file the return.
quick answers
How do I remove VAT from a total?
Divide the gross by 1 plus the rate as a decimal: $120 at 20% becomes $120 ÷ 1.2 = $100 net, with $20 of VAT. Subtracting 20% instead gives $96, the classic mistake.
What is the difference between net and gross?
Net is the amount before tax, gross is what leaves the account after it. The VAT sits between them and belongs to the tax office rather than to you.
Does it know my country's VAT rate?
No. Standard rates run from around 15 to 27 depending on where you are and what you bought, so type the one that applies. The chips cover the common 5, 10, 20 and 25.