The short version: your calculator inputs never leave your browser — they are processed on your device and your recent calculations are stored only in your own browser's local storage. We use privacy-respecting, consent-gated analytics, and we never sell your data to anyone.
1. Who we are
CalculateVAT.co.uk ("we", "us") is an independent UK website providing free VAT calculators AND educational content. For the purposes of the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018, we are the data controller for the personal data collected through this website. You can contact us about this policy at info@calculatevat.co.uk or via our contact page. We are not affiliated with HMRC.
2. What we collect, and why
2.1 Calculator inputs (stored on your device only)
Amounts you type into the calculator are processed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. They are not transmitted to our servers. If you use the recent-calculations feature, your last five calculations and your light/dark theme preference are saved in your browser's local storage (keys cvat_history_v1 and cvat_theme_v1) so they survive between visits. You can delete them at any time using the "Clear" button on the calculator or by clearing your browser storage.
2.2 Analytics (only with your consent)
With your consent, we use Google Analytics 4 to understand how the site is used (for example, which pages are visited and whether the calculator is used). GA4 collects device and usage data such as approximate location (city level), pages viewed, session duration and referrers; it does not log or store full IP addresses. Analytics cookies are only set after you give consent via our cookie banner, and you can withdraw consent at any time (see Section 8).
2.3 Contact form messages
If you contact us, we collect your name, email address and message so we can respond. A random arithmetic check is used to reduce automated spam; your answer is never stored. We use this information only to reply to you.
3. Lawful bases for processing
- Consent (UK GDPR Article 6(1)(a)) — analytics cookies and measurements, which run only after you opt in.
- Legitimate interests (Article 6(1)(f)) — responding to your messages, keeping the site secure, and understanding aggregated, non-identifying usage to improve the tool.
4. Cookies and browser storage
| Name | Type | Purpose | Expires |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga, _ga_* | Cookie (analytics) | Google Analytics 4 — distinguishes visitors and sessions. Set only after consent. | Up to 24 months |
| Consent preference | Cookie / storage | Remembers your cookie choice so you are not asked on every visit. | 12 months |
cvat_theme_v1 | Local storage (not a cookie) | Remembers your light/dark theme preference. | Until cleared |
cvat_history_v1 | Local storage (not a cookie) | Stores your last five calculator results on your device. | Until cleared |
5. Who we share data with
- Google LLC (Google Analytics) — processes usage data on our behalf as a processor.
- Hostinger — our hosting provider, which processes server logs for security and reliability (logs rotate regularly).
We do not sell, rent or trade personal data, and we do not use it for advertising profiles. Where data is processed outside the UK, we rely on lawful transfer mechanisms such as the UK–US Data Bridge or the International Data Transfer Agreement, as applicable.
6. How long we keep data
Contact messages are kept for up to 24 months so we can manage ongoing conversations, then deleted. Google Analytics data is retained for 14 months. Data stored in your own browser (theme and calculator history) remains until you delete it.
7. Your rights
Under the UK GDPR you have the right to: access your personal data; have it corrected or erased; restrict or object to processing; data portability; and to withdraw consent at any time (without affecting the lawfulness of processing before withdrawal). To exercise any of these rights, email info@calculatevat.co.uk. We respond within one month.
8. Withdrawing consent
You can withdraw analytics consent at any time by clearing your browser cookies/storage for this site, or by using your browser's tracking protections. The calculator works fully without analytics.
9. Complaints
If you are unhappy with how we handle your data, please contact us first. You also have the right to complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at ico.org.uk or by calling 0303 123 1113.
10. Security
The site is served over HTTPS. Access to stored messages is restricted, and we follow data-minimisation principles — we only collect what we need to respond to you and to run the service.
11. Changes to this policy
We may update this policy from time to time. The "last updated" date at the top shows the current version; material changes will be highlighted on this page.
This policy was prepared for a small informational website and does not constitute legal advice. If you expand the service (accounts, newsletters, ads), review it again.