VAT Calculator 15% SA
Standard 15% VAT calculations for South African pricing. Add VAT to exclusive amounts or extract VAT from inclusive totals for quotes, invoices and margin checks.
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Input Settings
Exclusive Amount
R 0,00
VAT (15%)
R 0,00
Total Inclusive Amount
R 0,00
VAT in South Africa — registration & 15% calculations
When you must register for VAT
Value-Added Tax (VAT) is a consumption tax administered by SARS. The standard rate is 15% on most taxable supplies of goods and services.
Compulsory registration generally applies when your taxable supplies exceed R1 million in any consecutive 12-month period. Below that, voluntary registration may be possible if you meet SARS criteria—useful if you want to claim input tax on business purchases, but it also creates return and compliance duties.
Registration is not only about the rate. It affects invoicing, record-keeping, and whether your posted prices should be expressed VAT-inclusive or exclusive.
Add VAT vs remove VAT
Businesses switch between two views:
Add VAT (exclusive → inclusive)
You know the net selling price and need the amount the customer pays:
- VAT = exclusive × 15%
- Inclusive = exclusive + VAT
Example: R1,000 exclusive → VAT R150 → R1,150 inclusive.
Remove VAT (inclusive → exclusive)
You know the shelf or quote total and need the tax portion:
- Exclusive = inclusive ÷ 1.15
- VAT = inclusive − exclusive
Example: R1,150 inclusive → exclusive R1,000 → VAT R150.
Use the toggle on the calculator above with 1000 to see both modes. This is the same arithmetic used on invoices when the rate is 15%.
What VAT registration changes day to day
- You charge VAT on taxable supplies (with specific exemptions and zero-rates in law).
- You may claim input tax on qualifying business purchases if documentation is valid.
- You file returns on your SARS cycle.
- Consumer-facing prices are often displayed VAT-inclusive.
Cars and input tax (common question)
As a rule of thumb, input tax on motor cars is tightly restricted. Dealers and certain rental categories differ. Do not assume you can claim VAT back on a passenger vehicle used in a normal business—confirm in the VAT Act guidance or with a practitioner.
Worked micro-examples for quotes
Goal
Input
Result at 15%
Quote client VAT-inclusive
R5,000 exclusive
R5,750 total
Extract VAT from till price
R575 inclusive
R75 VAT, R500 exclusive
Margin check
R230 inclusive cost
≈ R200 exclusive
Related tools
- Income tax calculator — personal tax on sole-prop profits after business results
- Property transfer duty — duty vs VAT on property acquisitions
- Resources — compliance-oriented guides
VAT Policy FAQ
What is the VAT registration threshold for 2026?
Mandatory registration is required if your taxable supplies exceed R1 million in a 12-month period.
Can I claim VAT back on a car purchase?
Generally, VAT cannot be claimed on passenger vehicles unless the business is a car dealer or rental company.
What rate does this calculator use?
The standard rate of 15%.
Should my website prices include VAT?
Many B2C prices are shown inclusive; B2B quotes often show exclusive plus VAT. Stay consistent and legally clear on tax invoices.
Is zero-rated the same as exempt?
No. Zero-rated supplies are taxable at 0% (input tax may still be claimable in principle); exempt supplies follow different rules. Get advice for your industry.
Where do I model personal income tax on drawings or salary?
Use the Income Tax Calculator.
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VAT Registration Threshold 2026 – Do You Need to Register?
Compulsory VAT registration is generally linked to R1 million of taxable supplies in 12 months. Here is how add/remove VAT works at 15%.