VAT / GST Calculator — Add or Remove Tax From Any Price
Two everyday tax problems: adding VAT/GST to a net price (invoicing), and the trickier reverse — working out how much tax is inside a gross price (expenses, receipts). Both directions, any rate: UK 20%, Saudi Arabia 15%, UAE 5%, Pakistan 17–18%, EU rates — just set the percentage.
How to use this tool
- Choose the direction: add tax for invoicing, or extract tax from a receipt total.
- Enter the price and your country's rate (UK 20, KSA 15, UAE 5, Pakistan 18, Germany 19…).
- Press Calculate — you get net, tax and gross, whichever direction you started from.
Frequently asked questions
How do I remove VAT from a price correctly?
Divide the gross price by (1 + rate). For a 1,150 receipt at 15%: 1,150 ÷ 1.15 = 1,000 net, so tax is 150. The common mistake is subtracting 15% of the gross (1,150 − 172.50), which double-counts — the extract mode here does it right.
What are the current VAT/GST rates in major countries?
Commonly used rates: UK 20%, Germany 19%, UAE 5%, Saudi Arabia 15%, Pakistan 18% (standard sales tax), India 5/12/18/28% GST slabs, Australia 10%, Canada 5% federal GST plus provincial taxes. Rates change in budgets — check your tax authority for the current figure.
Is VAT the same as GST?
Functionally yes — both are value-added consumption taxes collected at each stage of the supply chain. Different countries just use different names (VAT in Europe and the Gulf, GST in India, Australia, Canada). This calculator works identically for both.
Do I charge VAT on my invoices as a freelancer?
Only if you're registered for VAT/GST — most countries have a registration threshold (e.g. £90,000 turnover in the UK). Below it, registration is usually optional. Once registered, you must charge the tax and can reclaim tax on your business purchases. Ask a local accountant about your specific case.
Why does my receipt show a slightly different tax amount?
Retail systems compute tax per line item and round each line, which can differ by a cent or two from computing tax on the total. Both are legal rounding methods — the difference is never more than a few smallest currency units.