Reverse VAT Calculator
Remove VAT from any gross total across all 27 EU member states, the UK, Norway, and Switzerland. Essential for cross-border sellers, expense reports, and B2B invoicing.
Use our reverse VAT calculator to remove VAT from total amounts. This tool helps businesses and consumers easily back out tax from any tax-inclusive price to find the net price and VAT amount. It supports standard rates for all EU countries, the UK, Norway, and Switzerland.
ℹ️ Which page should I use? Need country-specific VAT rates? Use a country VAT calculator for the UK VAT calculator, France VAT calculator, Germany VAT calculator, Italy VAT calculator, or Spain VAT calculator. This page is for removing VAT from a VAT-inclusive total.
Looking for the UK VAT Calculator?
For detailed UK VAT calculations, reduced rates (5% and 0%), and HMRC guidance on the £90,000 threshold, use our dedicated UK tool.
For informational purposes only. Tax rates change frequently — verify with your state's Department of Revenue before filing. This tool is not a substitute for professional tax advice.
· Rates verified quarterly from the Tax Foundation and state Departments of Revenue.
Backwards VAT Calculator
A backwards VAT calculator is used to extract or remove VAT from a VAT-inclusive price (also known as the gross price). In many parts of the world, including the UK and the European Union, retail prices must legally include VAT. If you have a total invoice or purchase amount and need to calculate the pre-tax base price, you are working out VAT backwards. This process is essential for bookkeeping, submitting expense claims, and generating B2B invoices.
How to Calculate VAT Backwards
To calculate VAT backwards and determine the pre-tax amount, you cannot simply subtract the VAT percentage directly from the total (doing so would result in an incorrect amount). Instead, you must divide the gross price by 1 plus the VAT rate as a decimal:
For example, if the VAT rate is 20%, you divide the gross price by 1.20. If the VAT rate is 19%, you divide by 1.19.
Reverse VAT Example
Let's look at a clear practical example. If you have a purchase with a gross total of £120 which includes a 20% VAT rate:
- Gross Price (Total): £120.00
- Net Price (Excluding VAT): £120.00 ÷ 1.20 = £100.00
- VAT Amount: £120.00 - £100.00 = £20.00
Thus, £120 total with 20% VAT equals £100 net and £20 VAT.
Country VAT Calculators
For users who need to compute value-added tax using specific local regulations, we provide dedicated country VAT calculators. These specialized tools handle local standard and reduced rates, registration thresholds, and compliance requirements. You can use our dedicated UK VAT calculator, France VAT calculator, Germany VAT calculator, Italy VAT calculator, or Spain VAT calculator to estimate tax amounts precisely for your B2B invoices.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the most common questions users ask.
How do you work out VAT backwards?
To work out VAT backwards, divide the total VAT-inclusive price by 1 plus the VAT rate as a decimal. For example, to find the pre-VAT price of a £120 item with 20% VAT, divide £120 by 1.20, which equals £100. The difference (£20) is the VAT amount.
Is reverse VAT the same as removing VAT?
Yes. Removing VAT, reverse VAT, and calculating VAT backwards all refer to the same mathematical process: backing out the VAT component from a gross total to find the pre-tax net value.
Are VAT rates the same across the EU?
No. Each member state sets its own standard rate. Hungary is the highest at 27%; Luxembourg the lowest at 17%.
Does this calculator handle UK VAT?
Yes, the UK standard rate of 20% is fully supported, along with rates for Norway, Switzerland, and all EU member states.
All rates, thresholds, and regulatory guidance cited on this page are sourced from official government publications and non-partisan research institutions.
International Tax Bodies
European Commission — VAT Guide
Comprehensive portal for VAT rates and rules across all 27 EU member states, including B2B/B2C regulations.
ec.europa.euOECD — Consumption Tax Database
Global comparative data on VAT/GST structures and consumption tax trends across OECD member nations.
oecd.orgProfessional & Industry Organizations
TaxesLedger is an independent educational tool. We are not affiliated with any government agency. Rates are verified quarterly; always confirm with your jurisdiction's official Department of Revenue before filing. Last verification: May 15, 2026.
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