The Quarterly VAT Calculator estimates net value-added tax for a three-month filing period. It compares VAT charged on taxable sales with recoverable VAT paid on eligible business purchases.
Use it for a preliminary filing check or cash-flow forecast. Enter tax-exclusive sales and purchases with their applicable rates. The calculator applies one sales rate and one purchase rate, so mixed-rate, exempt, zero-rated, reverse-charge, and partially recoverable transactions should be separated or adjusted before use.
1. Enter taxable sales
Use sales before VAT for the quarter.
2. Set the output rate
Enter the rate charged on those sales.
3. Enter eligible purchases
Include only purchase amounts whose VAT is expected to be recoverable.
4. Set the input rate
Use the rate shown on eligible purchase invoices.
5. Check payable or refund position
A positive result is payable; a negative result indicates a possible credit or refund.
A positive result indicates estimated VAT payable; a negative result indicates a potential refund or credit position, subject to local filing rules.
The result compares VAT collected from customers with the input VAT assumed recoverable for the quarter.
VAT eligibility, timing, rates, and recovery restrictions depend on jurisdiction and transaction type.
Given: $50,000 of tax-exclusive sales at 20% VAT and $18,000 of eligible purchases at 20% VAT.
Calculation: Output VAT = $50,000 × 20% = $10,000. Input VAT = $18,000 × 20% = $3,600. Net VAT = $10,000 − $3,600 = $6,400.
Result: Estimated quarterly VAT payable is $6,400.
No. Enter tax-exclusive amounts because the calculator adds VAT by multiplying the base by the rate.
Calculate each rate group separately and add the output VAT and input VAT totals before determining the net amount.
No. Recovery may be restricted for exempt activity, private use, certain expenses, or missing documentation. Enter only the eligible base or adjust the rate accordingly.
It means estimated recoverable input VAT exceeds output VAT for the quarter. Whether it is refunded, carried forward, or reviewed depends on local rules.
It is a planning estimate. Filing periods, invoice timing, adjustments, and jurisdiction-specific rules can change the reported amount.