What is UAE VAT?
The UAE VAT Calculator helps you add or remove 5% Value Added Tax from any price. VAT was introduced in the UAE on January 1, 2018, at a standard rate of 5% — one of the lowest VAT rates in the world.
UAE VAT applies to most goods and services, with some exemptions: residential property (first sale exempt, subsequent sales zero-rated), local passenger transport, bare land, certain financial services, and life insurance are either exempt or zero-rated. Healthcare and education services provided by government entities are zero-rated; private providers charge 5% VAT.
Businesses with taxable turnover exceeding AED 375,000 must register for VAT with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA). Voluntary registration is available for businesses with turnover above AED 187,500. VAT returns are filed quarterly (or monthly for larger businesses) through the FTA e-Services portal.
For consumers, prices in UAE retail stores and restaurants typically include VAT. Business invoices may show prices with or without VAT. This calculator helps you convert between VAT-inclusive and VAT-exclusive amounts for invoicing, expense reporting, and budgeting.
The UAE also imposes Excise Tax on specific products: 50% on carbonated drinks, 100% on tobacco and energy drinks, and 100% on electronic smoking devices.
Formula
UAE VAT Calculation:
Adding 5% VAT: VAT Amount = Price × 5 / 100 Price with VAT = Price + VAT Amount
Removing 5% VAT: Price without VAT = Price with VAT / 1.05 VAT Amount = Price with VAT − Price without VAT
Example — AED 1,000 + 5% VAT: VAT = AED 1,000 × 0.05 = AED 50 Total = AED 1,050
Reverse — AED 1,050 including VAT: Price ex-VAT = 1,050 / 1.05 = AED 1,000 VAT = AED 50
Quick mental math: 5% VAT = divide price by 20. AED 500 → VAT = AED 25 → Total = AED 525 AED 2,000 → VAT = AED 100 → Total = AED 2,100
How to use this UAE VAT Calculator?
1. Enter the Amount — either the price before VAT (to add VAT) or the total price including VAT (to extract VAT).
2. VAT Rate: 5% is the standard UAE rate. Leave as default.
3. See the VAT amount, price including VAT, and price excluding VAT.
For business invoicing: enter your net price to calculate the VAT amount and total to show on the invoice. For expense claims: enter the receipt total to extract the VAT component.