VAT Calculator: Calculate Net, Gross and German VAT
With the VAT calculator (Umsatzsteuer-Rechner) you compute the net, gross or VAT amount at 19 % or 7 % in seconds. Just enter an amount and choose the direction: add VAT or extract it from a gross price. Note that Umsatzsteuer (USt) and Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt) refer to the very same tax.
- No signup required
- German formatting (1.234,56 €)
- § 14 UStG compliant
- Hosted in Germany
Add VAT on top of a net price.
Result
Enter an amount to see the result.
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Create invoiceUmsatzsteuer or Mehrwertsteuer: What is the difference?
In short: there is no substantive difference. "Umsatzsteuer" (USt) is the official term from the German VAT Act (UStG), while "Mehrwertsteuer" (MwSt) is the colloquial name. Both mean exactly the same tax on the sale of goods and services.
Invoices usually show the official form, for example "USt 19 %" or "plus 19 % Umsatzsteuer." In everyday speech almost everyone says Mehrwertsteuer. Whichever term you use, the calculator returns the same result.
How do you calculate VAT?
VAT is added on top of the net amount. The formulas are simple:
- Add VAT: Gross = Net × (1 + rate/100)
- Extract VAT: Net = Gross × 100 / (100 + rate)
- VAT amount: VAT = Gross − Net
An example at 19 %: for a net price of 1.000,00 €, the VAT is 190,00 €, making the gross price 1.190,00 €. Conversely, a gross amount of 119,00 € yields a net amount of 100,00 € and 19,00 € VAT.
At the reduced rate of 7 %: a gross amount of 1.070,00 € becomes 1.000,00 € net and 70,00 € VAT.
When does 19 % apply, and when 7 % VAT?
Germany has two VAT rates plus tax-exempt cases (0 %). The standard rate of 19 % is the default for most goods and services.
The reduced rate of 7 % applies, among others, to:
- Groceries (most staple foods)
- Books, e-books, newspapers and magazines
- Local public transport (regional bus and rail)
- Hotel accommodation
- Admission tickets for theatre, concerts and museums
- Plants and certain agricultural products
Be careful with gastronomy: food consumed on site is taxed at 19 %; the temporary 7 % rule ended on 31 December 2023. Beverages are usually subject to 19 % as well.
Extracting VAT from a gross amount
Often only the gross price is fixed and you want to know how much VAT it contains. This is called "extracting VAT."
To do this, enter the gross amount in the calculator and choose the "extract" direction. At 19 %, the VAT included corresponds to roughly 15,97 % of the gross amount, not 19 % – a common miscalculation.
Example: a gross amount of 238,00 € (19 %) contains 200,00 € net and 38,00 € VAT. At 7 %, a gross amount of 214,00 € contains exactly 200,00 € net and 14,00 € VAT.
VAT pre-registration: what businesses should know
Anyone who charges VAT remits it to the tax office, usually via the VAT pre-registration (Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung). In it, businesses report the VAT collected and deduct the input tax (Vorsteuer) they paid themselves. The difference is paid or refunded.
Depending on turnover, the pre-registration is filed monthly, quarterly or annually, always electronically via ELSTER. The VAT amount calculated here is the basis for that filing.
Small businesses under § 19 UStG (prior-year turnover ≤ 25.000 € and current year ≤ 100.000 €) do not charge VAT and have no input-tax deduction. Their invoices carry the note: "Gemäß § 19 UStG wird keine Umsatzsteuer berechnet."
From calculating to invoicing
Once the amount is correct, you usually need a proper invoice. With our invoice generator, you create § 14 UStG-compliant invoices as PDFs – free and without signup.
The generator automatically breaks down the net amount by tax rate and shows the VAT rate and VAT amount separately, including all mandatory fields. If you log in, you can save company details, logo, invoice history and templates.
This way you move seamlessly from the VAT calculator to a finished, audit-proof invoice – in just a few minutes.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Umsatzsteuer the same as Mehrwertsteuer?
Yes. Umsatzsteuer (USt) and Mehrwertsteuer (MwSt) denote exactly the same tax. "Umsatzsteuer" is the official term from the German VAT Act, while "Mehrwertsteuer" is the colloquial name. Invoices usually use the "USt" form, and in everyday speech people say MwSt. There is no substantive difference.
How do you calculate 19 % VAT?
Multiply the net amount by 0.19 to get the VAT. For 1.000,00 € net that is 190,00 € VAT and 1.190,00 € gross. To extract VAT from a gross amount: Net = Gross × 100 / 119. A gross amount of 119,00 € contains 100,00 € net and 19,00 € VAT.
How do I extract VAT from a gross amount?
At 19 %, divide the gross amount by 1.19 to get the net amount; the difference is the VAT. A gross amount contains roughly 15,97 % VAT at 19 %, not 19 %. Example: 238,00 € gross yields 200,00 € net and 38,00 € VAT.
Which goods have 7 % instead of 19 % VAT?
The reduced rate of 7 % applies, among others, to groceries, books, e-books, newspapers, magazines, local public transport, hotel accommodation, admission tickets for theatre, concerts and museums, and plants. The standard rate of 19 % is the default for most other goods and services.
How high is VAT in Germany in 2026?
In 2026, Germany applies a standard VAT rate of 19 % and a reduced rate of 7 %. There are also tax-exempt transactions at 0 %. Which rate applies depends on the type of good or service. Most supplies are subject to the standard rate of 19 %.
Do small businesses have to charge VAT?
No. Small businesses under § 19 UStG do not charge VAT, provided prior-year turnover does not exceed 25.000 € and current-year turnover stays under 100.000 €. The invoice carries the note: "Gemäß § 19 UStG wird keine Umsatzsteuer berechnet." Input-tax deduction is then not possible.
What is the Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung (VAT pre-registration)?
The Umsatzsteuer-Voranmeldung is the regular electronic filing to the tax office via ELSTER. Businesses report the VAT collected minus the input tax paid. Depending on turnover it is filed monthly, quarterly or annually. The difference is paid to or refunded by the tax office.