UAE VAT Calculator
Adds VAT to a price before VAT, or takes it out of a price that includes it, at the UAE’s standard rate, showing every step.
Fix these fields, then press Calculate:
VAT estimate
UAECalculated onEnter an amount and press Calculate to see the VAT and the price before and after it.
No gratuity is due with these inputs. The table below shows why.
Estimated amount
| Step | Calculation | Amount (AED) |
|---|
Notes
How is VAT worked out?
The UAE charges VAT at a standard rate of 5% on supplies and imports under Article 3 of Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017, administered by the Federal Tax Authority. The calculator works both ways:
- Add VAT: VAT = price before VAT × 5%; price including VAT = price before VAT + VAT.
- Take VAT out: price before VAT = price including VAT ÷ 1.05; VAT = price including VAT − price before VAT.
We calculate with full precision, round each figure to the nearest fils (halves away from zero), and work out the last figure by adding or subtracting, so the price before VAT plus the VAT equals the price including VAT exactly, as on an invoice.
Worked examples
| Mode | Amount entered (AED) | Before VAT (AED) | VAT (AED) | Including VAT (AED) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Add | 1,000 | 1,000 | 50 | 1,050 |
| Take out | 100 | 95.24 | 4.76 | 100 |
| Add | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.01 | 0.11 |
Special cases
Advertised prices include VAT
Article 38 of the Decree-Law says the advertised price of a taxable supply must include the tax, except in cases set by the Executive Regulation. So the price you see in a shop or an advert is usually VAT-inclusive. To see the VAT inside it, choose “Take VAT out”, not “Add VAT”.
Zero-rated supplies
Article 45 applies a zero rate to supplies that include exports of goods and services outside the implementing states, international transport of passengers and goods and related services, and some means of transport. No VAT is added to them, although they stay inside the VAT system, so the calculator’s standard rate does not apply.
Exempt supplies
Article 46 exempts financial services specified in the Executive Regulation, the sale or lease of residential buildings other than the zero-rated cases, bare land, and local passenger transport. Rent on your flat, for example, carries no VAT, while commercial leases and hotels are taxed at the standard rate.
A one-fils difference from your invoice
The calculator rounds the VAT to the nearest fils and then adds it to the price, so the two parts always add up to the total exactly. Some billing systems work out the VAT line by line and add the results, so on a long invoice the total VAT can differ by a fils or two. That is rounding, not a wrong rate.
Frequently asked questions
What is the VAT rate in the UAE?
The standard rate is 5% under Article 3 of Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017. It has applied since 1 January 2018 and has not changed. The Federal Tax Authority charges it on supplies and imports, with a zero rate for some supplies and exemptions for others, as the special cases above explain.
How do I add VAT to a price?
Multiply the amount by 0.05 to get the VAT, then add it to the amount to get the price including VAT. For AED 1,000 the VAT is AED 50 and the total is AED 1,050. You can also multiply by 1.05 in one go. Choose “Add VAT” in the calculator to see each step in a table under the result.
How do I find the VAT inside a VAT-inclusive price?
Divide the inclusive price by 1.05 to get the price before VAT, then subtract that from the inclusive price to get the VAT. A price of AED 100 including VAT is AED 95.24 before VAT plus AED 4.76 of VAT, not AED 5. Choose “Take VAT out” and the calculator does this for you.
Is residential rent in the UAE subject to VAT?
Usually not. Article 46 exempts the sale and lease of residential buildings, except for the zero-rated cases in Article 45, such as the first supply of a residential building within three years of its completion. Commercial leases, offices and hotels are taxed at the standard rate. If you are unsure about a property, check your contract or ask the Federal Tax Authority.
Does the calculator work for free zones?
The standard rate applies to most supplies in the country, including many in free zones. Some free zones classed as Designated Zones have special treatment for certain supplies of goods between businesses under Articles 51 and 52. If your deal is inside a Designated Zone, read the Federal Tax Authority’s guides, and use the calculator for everyday consumer prices.
Can I use the calculator for my VAT return?
No. The calculator helps you understand a price, an invoice or a quotation. It does not work out the input and output tax that registered businesses report in a return. If your business is registered, use the Federal Tax Authority’s guides or an accountant. The calculator does not store what you enter; everything is worked out on your device.
Sources
- UAE Federal Tax Authority — Federal Decree-Law No. 8 of 2017 on VAT and its amendments · accessed 27 September 2026
- UAE Federal Tax Authority — VAT · accessed 27 September 2026
Please note
This calculator gives an estimate based on the published law. Your contract, company policy or a court decision can change the real amount. It is not legal advice.