🧾 2026 Reverse VAT Calculator
Extract the pre-tax price and VAT amount from a total that already includes value-added tax. Based on the official 2026 VAT rates for all 27 EU member states.
What Is Reverse VAT?
Reverse VAT (also called "backing out VAT") is the process of determining the original pre-tax (net) price and the VAT amount from a total price that already includes VAT. This is particularly useful for:
- VAT invoices and expense reports
- Cross-border business transactions within the EU
- Understanding how much VAT you're actually paying
- Accounting and bookkeeping reconciliation
How to Calculate Reverse VAT
The formula for reverse VAT is:
Pre-Tax Price = Total ÷ (1 + VAT Rate)
VAT Amount = Total – Pre-Tax Price
Where VAT Rate is expressed as a decimal (e.g., 21% = 0.21)
Example: If you paid €121.00 total and the VAT rate is 21%:
- Pre-Tax Price = €121.00 ÷ 1.21 = €100.00
- VAT Amount = €121.00 – €100.00 = €21.00
2026 EU VAT Rates Overview
Under EU law, the standard VAT rate in each member state must be at least 15%. Member states can also apply up to two reduced rates (no lower than 5%) and one super-reduced rate below 5%.
- Highest standard rate: Hungary (27%)
- Lowest standard rate: Luxembourg (17%)
- EU average standard rate: 21.9% as of 2026
Why Use This Reverse VAT Calculator?
- Official 2026 Rates: Includes the latest VAT rates for all 27 EU member states.
- Instant Reverse Calculation: Enter the total price and rate to get the net price and VAT amount instantly.
- Country Selection: Quickly select a country to auto-fill its standard VAT rate.
- Reduced Rate Support: Optional toggle for reduced VAT rates (where applicable).
- Multiple Currencies: Support for EUR, USD, GBP, and more.
- Visual Chart: See the breakdown of net price and VAT amount.
- Free & Private: No registration, no data storage.
❓ 2026 Reverse VAT Calculator FAQ
What is reverse VAT?
Reverse VAT is the process of calculating the pre-tax (net) price and the VAT amount from a total price that already includes VAT.
What is the formula for reverse VAT?
The formula is Pre-Tax Price = Total ÷ (1 + VAT Rate). The VAT amount is then VAT Amount = Total – Pre-Tax Price.
How do I calculate reverse VAT on a €121.00 total with 21% VAT?
Pre-Tax Price = €121.00 ÷ 1.21 = €100.00. VAT Amount = €121.00 – €100.00 = €21.00.
What are the 2026 EU VAT rates?
Standard VAT rates in the EU for 2026 range from 17% (Luxembourg) to 27% (Hungary), with an average of 21.9%. This calculator includes rates for all 27 member states.
What is the difference between standard and reduced VAT rates?
The standard rate is the default rate applied to most goods and services. Reduced rates (lower than the standard rate) apply to specific categories like food, books, medicines, and public transport, as defined in Annex III of the EU VAT Directive.
What is the minimum VAT rate in the EU?
The standard VAT rate in each EU member state cannot be less than 15%. Reduced rates cannot be lower than 5%.
Which EU country has the highest VAT rate?
Hungary has the highest standard VAT rate in the EU at 27%.
Which EU country has the lowest VAT rate?
Luxembourg has the lowest standard VAT rate in the EU at 17%.
Does this calculator support reduced VAT rates?
Yes, you can enable the "Use Reduced VAT Rate" option in the advanced settings. However, the exact reduced rate varies by product category and country, so you'll need to enter the specific rate manually.
What currencies does this calculator support?
This calculator supports EUR, USD, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD, CHF, INR, BRL, and ZAR.
Can I use this calculator for UK VAT?
The UK is no longer an EU member state. For UK VAT (currently 20%), you can manually enter the rate or use a dedicated UK VAT calculator.
How does rounding affect the result?
Rounding determines how the pre-tax price and VAT amount are rounded to the specified decimal places. Standard rounding uses half-up, while up/down force rounding in a specific direction.
Is this calculator accurate for all EU countries?
This calculator uses official EU VAT rates as of January 1, 2026. However, VAT rates can vary by product category and may change over time. Always verify with your local tax authority for official guidance.
Is this calculator free?
Yes, this calculator is completely free to use. No registration or personal data storage is required. All calculations are performed in your browser.
What is the average VAT rate in the EU for 2026?
The average standard VAT rate in the EU is 21.9% as of 2026.