For those of you who might ever wish to calculate VAT at 17.5% without a calculator (or for those who enjoy a bit of mental maths), here’s how:
Work out 10% of the net value (by moving the decimal point one place to the left)
Half the above answer
Halve the answer again
Add the three numbers, calculated above, together to arrive at the VAT.
eg. calculate VAT of £260:
10% of £260 is £26
half of £26 is £13
half of £13 is £6.50
add together £26+£13+£6.50 = £45.50 which is indeed 17.5% of £260
