VAT & Sales Tax Calculator
Add or remove VAT or sales tax from a price. e.g. “What's the tax on $200 at 20%?”
Enter your values
Results update as you type. All calculation happens in your browser.
Methodology
Add or remove VAT or sales tax from a price. This tool uses a standard, documented formula and runs entirely on your device.
Last reviewed January 2026 · Runs client-side
Adding and removing VAT or sales tax
Tax questions come in two directions: adding tax to a net price, or stripping it out of a total that already includes it. The two are not the same calculation, and mixing them up is a common source of small but stubborn errors.
This calculator handles both, showing the net, the tax, and the gross so every figure is visible and nothing has to be taken on trust.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the amount you are working from.
- Set the tax rate as a percentage.
- Choose whether to add tax to that amount or remove tax already included in it.
What the inputs mean
- Mode
- “Add” treats your amount as the net price; “Remove” treats it as the gross, tax-inclusive total.
- Tax rate
- The VAT or sales-tax percentage that applies to the transaction.
Adding 20% to $200 gives $40 of tax and a $240 gross. Removing 20% from a $240 total works back to a $200 net and the same $40 of tax.
The formula, in plain terms
To add tax, multiply by one plus the rate. To remove it, divide the total by one plus the rate to recover the net.
Frequently asked questions
Why can't I just subtract the percentage to remove tax?
Because the tax was calculated on the smaller net figure, not the total. Removing it requires dividing by one plus the rate.
Does this work for any sales tax?
Yes. The math is the same for VAT, GST, or a local sales tax, only the rate changes.
Last reviewed January 2026. This explainer is general information, not professional advice.