Add or remove VAT for any country — calculate net price, VAT amount, and gross price with standard rates for the UK, EU, and major economies.
Enter the price (either VAT-inclusive or VAT-exclusive) and the applicable VAT rate for the country in question. The calculator returns the net price, VAT amount, and gross price — and shows the formula so you understand the math. Use the country reference table below the calculator to look up standard VAT rates for major economies. The tool works for any VAT rate from 1% to 27% and handles both "add VAT" (price + tax) and "remove VAT" (extract tax from inclusive price) directions in a single interface.
1. Enter the price amount in the field provided.
2. Select "Add VAT" (calculate gross from net) or "Remove VAT" (calculate net from gross).
3. Enter the VAT rate percentage for the relevant country (e.g., 20% for UK standard rate, 19% for Germany).
4. Click "Calculate" to see net price, VAT amount, and gross price.
5. Use the country dropdown to auto-populate standard VAT rates for major economies.
6. For import cost estimates, add the VAT amount to your total landed cost calculation.
Adding VAT: Gross Price = Net Price × (1 + VAT rate). Example: $500 net × 1.20 (UK 20% VAT) = $600 gross. VAT amount = $600 − $500 = $100.
Removing VAT (reverse calculation): Net Price = Gross Price ÷ (1 + VAT rate). Example: £600 gross ÷ 1.20 = £500 net; VAT = £600 − £500 = £100. Note: you cannot simply apply the VAT percentage to the gross price — £600 × 20% = £120, which is wrong. The reverse formula is the correct method.
When adding VAT, the result is what a customer in that country pays at checkout. When removing VAT, the result is what the seller keeps before remitting VAT to the tax authority. For businesses registered for VAT, input VAT (VAT paid on purchases) can often be reclaimed against output VAT (VAT collected on sales) — reducing the net VAT liability.
The US has sales tax; the rest of the world mostly has VAT. They're both consumption taxes, but they work very differently:
This is where a VAT calculator becomes a daily tool for many American businesses. Since July 2021, the EU eliminated its VAT exemption for low-value imports (previously, items under €22 were exempt). Now, any good sold to EU consumers — regardless of where the seller is based — is subject to EU VAT. Here's what US Shopify, Amazon, and Etsy sellers need to know:
One of the most practical VAT calculator uses for American travelers: calculating potential VAT refunds on purchases made abroad. Many countries — including all EU member states and the UK — allow non-resident visitors to reclaim VAT on goods they purchase and physically take out of the country. Key facts:
Standard vs. reduced rates: Most countries apply their standard rate (UK: 20%, Germany: 19%, France: 20%, EU average: ~21%) to most goods, but apply reduced rates to food, medicine, children's products, and cultural goods. Zero-rated items (basic food in the UK, exports) have 0% VAT — meaning no VAT is charged, but the seller can still reclaim input VAT. Exempt items (financial services, insurance) have no VAT charged and no input VAT recovery.
Reverse charge mechanism: For B2B cross-border transactions within the EU, the buyer (rather than the seller) accounts for VAT. This is called the reverse charge. US businesses selling services to EU businesses typically don't charge VAT — the EU business self-accounts. This doesn't apply to B2C sales.
Currency: This calculator works with any currency. Enter the amount in the relevant currency (EUR, GBP, JPY, etc.) and it returns the VAT in the same currency. For landed cost calculations in USD, convert using the Currency Calculator after computing VAT.
A small furniture retailer in Minneapolis is importing a $12,000 order of Danish chairs from Denmark. The goods are subject to Danish VAT at 25%, but because this is a B2B cross-border transaction to a non-EU business, no Danish VAT is charged on export. However, US Customs will charge the applicable US import duty (separate from VAT) and the retailer faces no foreign VAT liability on this transaction. The VAT calculator confirms: no VAT is added when exporting goods to non-EU buyers in a B2B context — this distinction saves the retailer from mistakenly factoring in a 25% cost that doesn't apply.
A ceramic artist in Tucson sells handmade mugs for $35 each. A buyer in Germany wants to purchase. The artist is registered for EU VAT via OSS and must collect German VAT at 19%. Using the VAT calculator (add VAT): $35 × 1.19 = $41.65 gross. The artist should display €41.65 equivalent as the EU price (converted at the current exchange rate). The $6.65 VAT collected is remitted quarterly via the OSS registration. The artist's revenue is still $35 net; the buyer pays the $6.65 tax.
1. Determine your registration obligations before you sell internationally. EU and UK thresholds are specific — exceeding them without registering creates back-tax liability.
2. Register for EU OSS rather than country-by-country if you sell across multiple EU markets. OSS simplifies compliance to a single filing.
3. Display VAT-inclusive prices for EU and UK consumers. Most EU consumer protection laws require VAT-inclusive pricing in retail contexts.
4. Keep records of VAT collected and remitted. VAT compliance requires invoice-level records — your accounting software should track input and output VAT separately.
5. Use a VAT refund service when traveling abroad for significant purchases. The 3–4% commission is worth the effort for purchases above $300–$400.
A: No. The United States does not have a federal value-added tax. Americans pay sales tax, which is set by individual states and municipalities and collected only at the final point of retail sale. However, US businesses selling to foreign consumers in VAT-system countries may need to register for and collect VAT.
A: Sales tax is collected only at the final retail sale; the seller remits it to the government. VAT is collected at every stage of the supply chain, but each business credits back the VAT it paid on inputs — so the net burden still falls on the final consumer. Prices in VAT countries are typically displayed inclusive of VAT; US prices are typically displayed before sales tax.
A: The UK standard VAT rate is 20%. A reduced rate of 5% applies to some goods and services (domestic energy, children's car seats), and a zero rate applies to most food, children's clothing, and books. The UK VAT registration threshold is £90,000 in annual taxable turnover.
A: Yes, if you sell to EU consumers and your annual EU sales exceed the relevant thresholds (or if you sell digital goods — no threshold applies for digital products). Since 2021, the EU requires non-EU sellers to register for and collect VAT on all consumer sales. The EU One-Stop Shop (OSS) scheme allows a single registration to cover all 27 member states.
A: Divide the inclusive price by (1 + VAT rate). Example: £120 inclusive at 20% VAT → £120 ÷ 1.20 = £100 net; VAT = £20. Do not multiply the inclusive price by the VAT rate — that gives the wrong answer.
A: Yes, in all EU countries (not in the UK since 2021). Non-EU residents — including Americans — can reclaim VAT on goods purchased and exported from the EU. Minimum thresholds apply per store per purchase. Request the refund paperwork in-store, present it with your goods at customs when leaving the EU, and submit for reimbursement.
A: Standard rates as of 2026: Germany 19%, France 20%, Italy 22%. Reduced rates apply to certain food, pharmaceutical, and cultural goods in each country. Use the country dropdown in this calculator to auto-populate the correct standard rate.
A: The reverse charge applies to certain B2B cross-border transactions, particularly within the EU for services and for goods in specific sectors. Instead of the seller charging VAT, the buyer accounts for it directly to their tax authority. US businesses selling services to EU businesses typically don't charge VAT on those sales — the EU buyer handles the VAT accounting.
Brief disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational and planning purposes only. VAT rates, registration thresholds, and compliance requirements vary by country and are subject to change. The information provided does not constitute tax advice. US businesses with international sales should consult a qualified cross-border tax professional to determine specific VAT registration and remittance obligations.