Reverse VAT Calculator
Take a VAT-inclusive total and work out the net amount and the VAT — at any EU member-state rate from 17% to 27%.
Remove VAT
Removing 21% VAT from €121.00 leaves €100.00 net — the VAT portion is €21.00.
Results update as you type.
Formula
Reversing VAT from a tax-inclusive total is a single division:
net = gross / (1 + rate / 100).
The VAT portion is whatever's left:
vat = gross − net. Switching to the Add tab
works the opposite direction:
gross = net × (1 + rate / 100).
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Frequently asked questions
How do I work backwards from a VAT-inclusive price?▾
Divide the gross by (1 + rate/100). At 21%, divide by 1.21; at 19% (Germany standard), divide by 1.19. The VAT is the difference between gross and net. For example, a €121 VAT-inclusive price at 21% has a €100 net and €21 of VAT.
Why isn't the VAT just 21% of the gross?▾
Because VAT is calculated on the net (pre-tax) price, not the gross. 21% of €121 is €25.41, but €95.59 + €25.41 ≠ €121 at 21%. The correct net for a €121 gross at 21% is €100.00, with €21.00 of VAT. The reverse operation handles this circular dependency.
Are EU retail prices usually VAT-inclusive?▾
Yes — EU consumer-protection rules require retail prices to be displayed VAT-inclusive at the point of sale to consumers. B2B prices are typically VAT-exclusive on quotes and invoices, with the VAT shown as a separate line. Use this calculator when you have a receipt or B2C-quoted price and need the breakdown.
Which rate should I use?▾
It depends on the country and the type of good or service. Standard rates run 17%–27% across the EU; reduced rates (typically 5%–13%) apply to specific categories like food, books, public transport. If a receipt doesn't itemise the rate, you can usually figure it out by dividing the VAT by the net (or by trying common rates and seeing which divides cleanly).
What about cross-border purchases?▾
Cross-border VAT mechanics depend on whether you're a consumer or a business and where the seller is registered. For headline maths on a single price, this calculator works regardless. Cross-border-specific rules (One Stop Shop, reverse charge, distance-selling thresholds) are about *which* rate applies and *who* remits — once you know the rate, the maths is the same.