Remove VAT from any total for EU member states, the UK, Norway, and Switzerland.
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.
Value Added Tax is a consumption tax applied at each stage of production, ultimately borne by the end consumer. Unlike US sales tax, VAT is typically baked into the displayed price in Europe — what you see on the shelf is what you pay. To extract the pre-VAT figure for accounting, expense reports, or B2B invoicing, you reverse the math the same way you would US sales tax: Pre-VAT = Total ÷ (1 + Rate ÷ 100).
Every EU country has a standard VAT rate (the figures above) plus reduced rates for certain categories — typically food, books, pharmaceuticals, hotel stays, and public transport. Some countries also apply super-reduced rates near 5%. This calculator uses the standard rate; for reduced-rate items consult the country's VAT authority for the applicable percentage.
If you sell digital services or goods into the EU you must charge VAT at the customer's country rate (under OSS / IOSS schemes). When invoicing EU B2B customers with reverse-charge VAT, you list the pre-VAT price separately. When importing EU vendor invoices that show only a tax-inclusive total, this calculator gives you the figure to post to the expense account and the VAT line that may be reclaimable.
VAT is collected at every stage of the supply chain with reclaim mechanisms; US sales tax is collected only at the final retail sale. VAT rates are uniform within a country; US sales tax stacks state plus local. VAT is usually included in the displayed price; US sales tax is added at the register. The calculation, however, is identical — divide the inclusive total by 1 plus the rate.
Quick answers to the most common questions users ask.
Divide the total by 1 plus the VAT rate as a decimal. For €119 at 19%: 119 ÷ 1.19 = €100 pre-VAT.
No. Each member state sets its own standard rate. Hungary is the highest at 27%; Luxembourg the lowest at 17%.
Yes — UK is included with its 20% standard rate. Norway and Switzerland are also included.
This calculator uses standard rates. For reduced-rate items (food, books, hotels), use manual entry on the US calculators or consult the country's tax authority.
In some cases yes, through the EU's 13th Directive refund process. Requirements are strict — work with a VAT specialist for amounts that justify the paperwork.
One Stop Shop and Import One Stop Shop — EU schemes that let non-EU sellers register in one country to handle VAT across the union for low-value B2C sales.
Often subject to reverse-charge: the seller invoices without VAT and the buyer self-accounts for it. Rules depend on country and goods type.
Rarely — typically through national budget legislation. TaxesLedger updates rates annually or sooner when material changes occur.
All rates, thresholds, and regulatory guidance cited on this page are sourced from official government publications and non-partisan research institutions.
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.orgTaxesLedger 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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