Finnish VAT (arvonlisävero, ALV) is calculated with a multiplier. To add VAT to a net price, multiply: the multiplier is 1.255 at the 25.5% rate, 1.135 at 13.5% and 1.1 at 10%. To remove VAT from a gross price, divide by the same multiplier. The VAT share of a VAT-inclusive price is not the same number as the rate: at 25.5% it is about 20.32%. This page shows both directions, all three rates and the mistakes that trip people up.

How do I add VAT to a price without VAT?

Multiply the net price by the rate's multiplier. The multiplier is 1 plus the rate as a decimal.

This is the direction you will use most as a founder. On a sales invoice you almost always start from the net price, because your fee, margin and pricing are set before VAT.

How do I work out the price without VAT from a gross price?

Divide the gross price by the same multiplier. Do not subtract the rate directly, because the rate is a percentage of the net price, not of the gross price.

You need this direction for receipts and purchases. A shop receipt shows the gross price, and your bookkeeping needs the net amount and the VAT amount separately.

What share of a VAT-inclusive price is VAT?

Divide the rate by the multiplier. At 25.5%, 0.255 divided by 1.255 is about 0.2032, which is 20.32%.

This is where the most common single calculation error happens. If you take 25.5% off a €1,000 receipt, you get €745, which is €51.81 too low. The correct net price is €796.81.

It is also the number that catches out founders who come from countries with a different rate. The instinct to "just take the percentage off" works nowhere, but it fails more visibly at 25.5%, one of the highest standard rates in the EU.

Which multiplier do I use when?

The multiplier depends on the VAT rate of what you sell, not on who you sell to. Finland has three rates in 2026: the standard 25.5%, and reduced rates of 13.5% and 10%.

The 13.5% rate replaced 14% on 1 January 2026, so many calculators and guides online still use the old figure. If a calculator gives you 1.14 as a multiplier, it is out of date. The details of each category are in our guide to Finnish VAT rates in 2026.

How do I calculate the VAT I owe for a tax period?

Take the VAT on your sales and subtract the deductible VAT on your purchases. The difference is what you pay to the Finnish Tax Administration (Verohallinto).

Here is one month, everything at 25.5%:

If the VAT on your purchases is larger than the VAT on your sales, the difference is refunded. Not every purchase is deductible, and the borderline cases are covered in our guide to which purchases you can deduct VAT on.

How should I round VAT?

Round to the cent, and round the final result rather than each intermediate step. Rounding along the way creates differences of a few cents that surface later when you reconcile the books against the bank.

A few cents on a single invoice is not a problem. The same drift across dozens of invoices is, because at some point someone has to spend an evening finding it.

When does the calculated VAT have to be ready?

You report and pay the VAT according to your tax period (verokausi). On a monthly period, the due date is the 12th of the second month after the reported month, so VAT for March is due on 12 May. You file in OmaVero, which the Tax Administration calls MyTax in English.

Quarterly and annual periods, weekend rules and late fees are all covered in our article on Finnish VAT return deadlines.

Why is the calculation not the hard part?

A single multiplication is easy. The real work is collecting every sale and purchase, checking the rate on each line and getting the totals to match your bank account.

NoCFO is the all-in-one AI-native finance platform for entrepreneurs and founders. Sales invoices, purchase invoices and bank transactions sit on the same platform, the VAT rate comes from each booked document, and your VAT figures for the period build up automatically. Luca, AI CFO, explains what the numbers mean and what to do next. You or your accountant stay in control: NoCFO suggests, a person reviews and approves.

For thresholds, registration, deductions and deadlines in one place, see the complete guide to Finnish VAT.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add Finnish VAT to a price?

Multiply the net price by the multiplier. At 25.5% the multiplier is 1.255, so €1,000 becomes €1,255.

How do I remove Finnish VAT from a price?

Divide the gross price by the multiplier. A €1,000 price including 25.5% VAT is €796.81 net, with €203.19 of VAT.

What is the multiplier for 25.5% VAT?

1.255. VAT makes up about 20.32% of a price that includes 25.5% VAT.

What are the reduced VAT rates in Finland in 2026?

13.5% and 10%. The 13.5% rate replaced 14% on 1 January 2026.

How do I calculate how much VAT I have to pay?

Subtract the deductible VAT on your purchases from the VAT on your sales. If the result is negative, it is refunded.

Calculate it once, then let the books do it

Work through the maths by hand once so you understand it. After that, let the figures come straight from your bookkeeping. Start free at nocfo.io.

Sources (checked 28 September 2026)

• Verohallinto: Instructions for filing (rates 25.5%, 13.5%, 10%; VAT = rate × net amount; monthly due date)

• Verohallinto: Arvonlisäverovelvollisen opas (13.5% rate from 1 January 2026)

• Verohallinto: Kirjojen ja lehtien arvonlisäverotus (10% rate for newspapers and magazines)