Calculate the VAT on your amount quickly with the default **18% VAT rate** (effective January 2024).
The **Value Added Tax (VAT)** in Sri Lanka is a consumption tax levied on most goods and services. The standard VAT rate was increased to **18%** effective **January 2024**. This rate applies to the majority of goods and services, with specific exemptions or reduced rates for certain sectors.
The reduced VAT rates apply to certain industries and products:
Additionally, **zero-rated goods** include exports and specific international services, meaning VAT is not charged, but businesses must still report these transactions for tax purposes.
VAT in Sri Lanka is a **tax on consumption**. It is collected at each stage of the production and distribution process. Businesses are allowed to offset the VAT they pay on their own purchases against the VAT they collect from customers. This ensures that the tax burden is ultimately passed on to the final consumer.
For example: - If a supplier sells goods for **LKR 1000**, they charge **LKR 180** as VAT (18%). - When the goods are sold to a retailer for **LKR 2000**, the retailer charges **LKR 360** as VAT. - The retailer will pay the government **LKR 180** (the difference between the VAT collected from customers and the VAT paid on their purchases).
In Sri Lanka, businesses are required to register for VAT if their annual taxable turnover exceeds **LKR 3 million**. Smaller businesses may qualify for simplified VAT registration, but they are still required to collect and report VAT on taxable sales.
Some goods and services are exempt from VAT or are subject to a **0% VAT rate**. Key exemptions include:
The formula for calculating VAT in Sri Lanka is:
VAT = Amount * VAT Rate
To calculate the VAT on a given amount, multiply the price of the goods or services by the applicable VAT rate (18% for most items in Sri Lanka).
**Example**:
If you are purchasing a product worth **LKR 500**, the VAT would be:
500 * 18% = LKR 90
The total cost for the product will be **LKR 590**.
To simplify VAT calculations, businesses and individuals in Sri Lanka often use online **VAT calculators**. These tools can automatically compute the VAT amount based on the entered price, making it easier to calculate the total cost after VAT.
A: You can use our **Sri Lanka VAT Calculator** to quickly calculate VAT on any product or service in Sri Lanka. Simply enter the amount and the default VAT rate of **18%**, and the tool will show you the VAT amount and the total cost after VAT.
A: The standard VAT rate in Sri Lanka is **18%** for most goods and services, effective from January 2024. Some industries qualify for reduced VAT rates, or certain goods and services may be exempt from VAT altogether.
A: To calculate VAT, multiply the price of the product by the VAT rate (18%). For example, for a product priced at **LKR 100**, the VAT would be **100 * 18% = LKR 18**. The total price after VAT would be **LKR 118**.
A: Yes! The Sri Lanka VAT calculator allows you to calculate VAT for multiple items by entering each item’s price and applying the VAT rate to each one separately, or adding them together for a cumulative VAT calculation.
A: The default VAT rate in Sri Lanka is **18%**, but the calculator can be adjusted to different VAT rates (e.g., for industries with reduced VAT rates). You can manually change the VAT rate in the calculator to suit your needs.
A: VAT is a consumption tax applied to most goods and services in Sri Lanka. It is used by the government to fund public services, infrastructure projects, and social welfare programs, contributing to the overall economic growth and development of the country.
A: VAT is applicable to most goods and services in Sri Lanka, but there are exemptions and zero-rated items, such as **exports**, **certain financial services**, and **basic foodstuffs**. Some industries may also qualify for reduced VAT rates.
