VAT on common amounts: R100, R1,000 and R10,000

Quick answers for the amounts people check most often, in both directions: adding 15% VAT to a price and taking it out of a VAT-inclusive price.

By Word2Mouse · Updated 10 October 2026 · Sources checked 10 October 2026 · Not tax advice

The tables on this page were generated by the same code that powers the SA VAT Calculator, at the standard South African VAT rate of 15% (SARS: Value-Added Tax (opens in new tab)). Every figure is rounded to the nearest cent, with half a cent rounded up. For any other amount, type it into the calculator.

The three amounts people ask about most

VAT on R100

Adding VAT: R100.00 excluding VAT plus R15.00 VAT = R115.00 including VAT.

Removing VAT: if R100.00 already includes VAT, the VAT inside it is R13.04 and the amount excluding VAT is R86.96.

VAT on R1 000

Adding VAT: R1 000.00 plus R150.00 VAT = R1 150.00.

Removing VAT: R1 000.00 including VAT contains R130.43 VAT, leaving R869.57.

VAT on R10 000

Adding VAT: R10 000.00 plus R1 500.00 VAT = R11 500.00.

Removing VAT: R10 000.00 including VAT contains R1 304.35 VAT, leaving R8 695.65.

Notice that the VAT inside an inclusive price is always less than 15% of that price. That is because VAT is charged on the smaller, VAT-exclusive amount. The reverse VAT guide explains why.

Adding 15% VAT: table

Use this when your price is excluding VAT, for example when quoting a client or checking what a supplier will charge.

Formula: VAT = amount × 0.15, and the total = amount × 1.15.

Removing 15% VAT: table

Use this when your price is including VAT, for example a till slip or a shelf price, and you need the VAT or the pre-VAT amount.

Formula: VAT = amount × 15 ÷ 115 (the tax fraction used in the SARS VAT 404 Guide for Vendors (opens in new tab)), and the amount excluding VAT = amount ÷ 1.15. In this table the excl. amount is rounded first and the VAT is the difference, so each row adds up exactly.

Scaling the figures yourself

Because VAT is a flat percentage, you can scale the table. VAT on R20 000 is twice the VAT on R10 000, and so on. Be careful with cents, though: rounding happens after the multiplication, so scaling a rounded figure can be a cent out. For exact figures, use the calculator, which works in whole cents internally and never suffers from floating-point errors.

When these tables do not apply

• The tables assume the standard rate of 15%. Zero-rated supplies carry VAT at 0%, and exempt supplies carry no VAT at all. See zero-rated vs exempt supplies.
• Only registered VAT vendors charge VAT. A supplier who is not registered should not add VAT to a price. See VAT registration thresholds.
• If you need a different rate, for example to check a historical invoice, change the rate in the calculator's custom-rate field.

Tips for invoices and quotes

When you quote a price to the public as a VAT vendor, SARS expects the quoted price to include VAT, as stated in the VAT 404 guide's list of important principles. Business-to-business quotes often show the excl. amount, the VAT and the total separately so the customer can see the input tax they may be able to claim. Whichever you use, make sure the three figures add up to the cent; the calculator's copy buttons make it easy to paste exact figures into a spreadsheet or invoice.

For a practical overview of invoicing, returns and record-keeping, see VAT for freelancers and small businesses.

Open the VAT calculator

Sources

All checked on 10 October 2026.

• SARS: Value-Added Tax (opens in new tab)
• SARS: VAT 404 Guide for Vendors (Issue 15, PDF) (opens in new tab)