Finance

GST & Tax Calculator

Calculate GST, VAT, or sales tax — add tax to a price, remove tax from a total, or find the tax amount on any purchase.

Enter the pre-tax price and tax rate:

What Is GST, VAT, and Sales Tax?

Value Added Tax (VAT), Goods and Services Tax (GST), and Sales Tax are consumption taxes levied on goods and services at the point of sale. While they serve the same purpose, they work differently:

  • VAT (Europe, UK, most of world): Applied at each stage of production, with businesses claiming back the VAT they paid on inputs. The final consumer bears the full tax burden. UK rate: 20% standard, 5% reduced, 0% exempt.
  • GST (Australia, Canada, India, NZ): Similar to VAT. Australia: 10%. India uses a tiered system (0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28%).
  • Sales Tax (United States): Applied only at the final point of sale. Rates vary by state and city, from 0% (Montana, Oregon) to over 10% in some jurisdictions.

Adding Tax vs. Removing Tax (Reverse VAT)

Adding tax: If a product costs $100 and tax is 10%, the total is $100 + $10 = $110.

Removing tax (reverse calculation): If you paid $110 and want to find the pre-tax price at 10% tax: $110 ÷ 1.10 = $100. The tax amount is $110 − $100 = $10.

Common mistake: Many people incorrectly calculate reverse VAT by simply taking 10% of $110 ($11) — this is wrong. The correct method is to divide by (1 + tax rate).

Common Tax Rates by Country

  • United Kingdom: 20% VAT (5% reduced, 0% exempt)
  • Australia: 10% GST
  • Canada: 5% federal GST + provincial PST/HST (total varies 5–15%)
  • Germany: 19% VAT (7% reduced)
  • India: 18% GST standard rate (5%, 12%, 28% for other goods)
  • New Zealand: 15% GST

Financial Disclaimer: Results are estimates only and should not be relied upon as financial or investment advice. Consult a licensed financial advisor for guidance specific to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate VAT from a total price?
To remove VAT from a total: Pre-tax price = Total ÷ (1 + VAT rate). Example: Remove 20% VAT from £120 → £120 ÷ 1.20 = £100 pre-tax. The VAT amount is £20.
What is the difference between GST and VAT?
GST (Goods and Services Tax) and VAT (Value Added Tax) are both consumption taxes applied to the final consumer. GST is the term used in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, and others. VAT is used in Europe, UK, and most of the world. They function very similarly.
How do I add 10% GST to a price?
Multiply the price by 1.10. For example, $85 + 10% GST = $85 × 1.10 = $93.50. The GST amount is $8.50.
Is sales tax included in the price in the US?
In the US, prices are typically displayed without sales tax. Tax is added at checkout. This differs from most countries where VAT/GST is included in the displayed price.
How do I calculate how much tax I paid?
Tax paid = Total paid − Pre-tax price. Using reverse calculation: Pre-tax = Total ÷ (1 + rate). Example: paid $130 at 15% tax: Pre-tax = $130 ÷ 1.15 = $113.04. Tax paid = $130 − $113.04 = $16.96.