VAT Calculator — Add or Remove VAT
Work out VAT for the UK, Ireland, Germany, France and every EU country. Add VAT to a net price or reverse-calculate the VAT hidden in a gross price.
Result
The formula
Gross = Net × (1 + rate / 100)
Standard VAT rates across Europe (2024)
Standard rates change occasionally — always double-check with your national tax authority for the current rate on your specific goods.
| Country | Standard | Reduced | Super-reduced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 20% | 5% | 0% |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | 23% | 13.5% / 9% | 4.8% |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 19% | 7% | — |
| 🇫🇷 France | 20% | 10% / 5.5% | 2.1% |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 21% | 10% | 4% |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 22% | 10% / 5% | 4% |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 21% | 9% | — |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | 21% | 12% / 6% | — |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | 25% | 12% / 6% | — |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | 25% | — | — |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | 20% | 13% / 10% | — |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | 27% | 18% / 5% | — |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | 23% | 8% / 5% | — |
| 🇨🇿 Czechia | 21% | 12% | — |
How VAT works — the basics
VAT (Value Added Tax) is a consumption tax paid at every stage of the supply chain, but only on the value added at each step. Businesses charge output VAT on their sales and reclaim input VAT they paid on their purchases — they only remit the difference to the tax authority. Consumers can't reclaim, which is why they bear the final tax.
Add VAT: from net to gross
Given a net (pre-tax) price and a VAT rate, calculate the price a customer pays:
- VAT amount = Net × (rate / 100)
- Gross = Net + VAT amount = Net × (1 + rate / 100)
Example: A £250 net service at 20% VAT → VAT = £50, Gross = £300.
Remove VAT: from gross to net (reverse VAT)
Given a shelf/gross price with VAT baked in, work out how much was actually VAT:
- Net = Gross ÷ (1 + rate / 100)
- VAT amount = Gross − Net
Example: A £300 receipt at 20% VAT → Net = £300 ÷ 1.20 = £250, VAT = £50. A common mistake is subtracting 20% (£300 × 0.80 = £240) — that gives the wrong answer.
When you can reclaim VAT
If you're VAT-registered, you can generally reclaim VAT on expenses used to make taxable supplies — this includes business purchases, subscriptions, tools, and some travel. You cannot reclaim VAT on personal spending, on entertaining clients (in most jurisdictions), or on purchases from suppliers who aren't VAT-registered.
Cross-border B2B sales inside the EU (and UK ↔ EU post-Brexit) often use the reverse charge mechanism — the seller invoices without VAT, and the buyer accounts for both input and output VAT in their own return. If your invoice shows 0% VAT to an EU business, that's why.
FAQ
What's the difference between adding and removing VAT?
Adding VAT starts with a net (pre-tax) price and adds the tax on top. Removing VAT starts with a gross (VAT-inclusive) price — like a shelf price — and works backwards to find the net price and the VAT amount already inside it. The two calculations use different formulas: adding is × 1.20 (for 20%), removing is ÷ 1.20.
Which VAT rate should I use?
It depends on your country and product category. UK standard is 20% (5% reduced for domestic energy, 0% for most food and children's clothes). Ireland is 23% standard / 13.5% reduced / 9% hospitality. Germany is 19% / 7%. France is 20% / 10% / 5.5% / 2.1%. Check your local tax authority for your specific goods — this calculator uses whatever rate you set.
Why does removing VAT divide by 1.20 instead of multiplying by 0.80?
Because the VAT was added to the net price, not to the gross price. If the net is £100 and VAT is 20% (£20), gross is £120. To go back: £120 ÷ 1.20 = £100 net, and £120 − £100 = £20 VAT. Multiplying £120 × 0.80 = £96 — which is wrong. The multiplicative inverse of 'add 20%' is 'divide by 1.20', not 'subtract 20%'.
Is this a legal VAT calculation?
The math is correct, but VAT is highly regulated. If you're issuing an invoice, keep at least 4 decimal places internally and round only on the invoice line. Certain B2B cross-border sales use the reverse charge (0% VAT), and some countries require rounding to the nearest cent per line vs per invoice. When in doubt, ask an accountant — this calculator estimates, it doesn't file returns.