VATSouth Africa VAT Calculator
Work out VAT in South Africa in one step: enter a net or gross price in ZAR and get the tax amount and the total at 15%.
South Africa · VAT
VAT rates in South Africa
The standard VAT rate in South Africa is 15%. There are no reduced rates: the same percentage applies to every taxable sale. This is below the average for Africa (16.4%). Worldwide ranking by standard rate: #88 of 159 countries.
| Rate | Type |
|---|---|
| 15% | Standard rate |
South Africa's VAT has been 15% since 2018. A list of basic foods, including brown bread, maize meal and fresh fruit and vegetables, is zero-rated.
Official source: sars.gov.za. Rates checked: October 2026.
How to calculate VAT in South Africa
Adding VAT to a net price
VAT = net × 15 / 100
gross = net × 1.15
Removing VAT from a gross price
net = gross / 1.15
VAT = gross − net
Remember that the tax share of a gross price is smaller than the rate itself: at 15% it is 13.04%. That is why you divide by 1.15 rather than subtracting 15%.
VAT examples in ZAR
Common amounts with 15% VAT added:
| Net | VAT 15% | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| 100.00 ZAR | 15.00 ZAR | 115.00 ZAR |
| 500.00 ZAR | 75.00 ZAR | 575.00 ZAR |
| 1,000.00 ZAR | 150.00 ZAR | 1,150.00 ZAR |
| 5,000.00 ZAR | 750.00 ZAR | 5,750.00 ZAR |
| 10,000.00 ZAR | 1,500.00 ZAR | 11,500.00 ZAR |
| 100,000.00 ZAR | 15,000.00 ZAR | 115,000.00 ZAR |
Removing VAT from gross prices
| Gross | Net | VAT 15% |
|---|---|---|
| 575.00 ZAR | 500.00 ZAR | 75.00 ZAR |
| 1,150.00 ZAR | 1,000.00 ZAR | 150.00 ZAR |
| 5,750.00 ZAR | 5,000.00 ZAR | 750.00 ZAR |
| 11,500.00 ZAR | 10,000.00 ZAR | 1,500.00 ZAR |
Questions about VAT in South Africa
What is the VAT rate in South Africa?
The standard VAT rate in South Africa is 15%. There are no reduced rates: the same percentage applies to every taxable sale.
How do I add 15% VAT to a price?
Multiply the net price by 1.15. For example 5,000.00 ZAR × 1.15 = 5,750.00 ZAR.
How do I remove VAT from a gross price?
Divide the gross price by 1.15. For example 5,750.00 ZAR ÷ 1.15 = 5,000.00 ZAR net; the difference is the VAT.
What share of a gross price is VAT?
At 15%, VAT makes up 13.04% of the gross price (15 ÷ 115).