Compare GST & VAT by country
Pick any countries and Fin lays their consumption tax side by side — the name, the type, the rates and how each one is structured — so you can see exactly what differs.
| Compare | Australia | New Zealand | United Kingdom | Singapore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local name | GST | GST | VAT | GST |
| Type | GST | GST | VAT | GST |
| Standard rate | 10% | 15% | 20% | 9% |
| Reduced rates | — | — | 5% | — |
| Income tax (top rate) | 45% + 2% Medicare | 39% | 45% | 24% |
| Company tax | 30% (25% small) | 28% | 25% | 17% |
| What it is | A broad 10% tax on most goods and services sold in Australia. | A simple, broad 15% tax on almost all goods and services — one of the world’s least-exempted GSTs. | A 20% tax on most goods and services, with reduced 5% and zero rates for some items. | A 9% tax on most goods, services and imports in Singapore. |
| How it’s structured | Value-added: businesses charge GST on sales and claim credits for GST on purchases, paying the net via a BAS. | Value-added with very few exemptions: GST on sales less GST on purchases. | Value-added: output VAT less input VAT, filed digitally under MTD. | Value-added: output GST less input GST. The rate rose from 8% to 9% in 2024. |
| Registration threshold | AUD 75,000 turnover/yr | NZD 60,000 turnover/yr | GBP 90,000 turnover/yr | SGD 1 million turnover/yr |
| Filing | Quarterly or monthly (BAS) | Monthly, 2-monthly or 6-monthly | Quarterly (Making Tax Digital) | Quarterly (GST F5) |
| Tax authority | Australian Taxation Office | Inland Revenue | HM Revenue & Customs | Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore |
50 countries · general information, not tax advice. Rates and rules change — confirm with each authority.
GST vs VAT — what’s the difference?
GST and VAT are the same kind of tax — a value-added tax on consumption, charged at each stage of supply, where businesses claim credits for the tax on their purchases and remit only the difference. The name just changes by country: it’s called GST in Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore and Canada, and VAT in the UK and across the EU. The United States is the outlier — it has no national consumption tax at all, only state and local sales tax charged once at the final sale.
Common questions
What is the difference between GST and VAT?
GST and VAT are the same kind of tax — a value-added tax charged at each stage of supply, with businesses claiming credits for the tax on their purchases. The name simply differs by country: it is called GST in Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore and Canada, and VAT in the UK and across the EU.
Does the United States have GST or VAT?
No. The United States has no national GST or VAT. Sales tax is set by each state and locality (roughly 0–10% combined) and is charged only once, at the final retail sale.
Which country here has the highest standard rate?
Among the countries shown, Ireland (23%) and Italy (22%) have the highest standard rates, while the UAE and Canada’s federal GST are among the lowest at 5%.
Why do GST and VAT rates differ so much between countries?
Each country sets its own standard rate, reduced rates and exemptions based on its own tax policy and revenue needs, which is why consumption-tax rates range from around 5% to over 23%.
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