As developers (and learners), we’re often told that the best way to grow is to build something useful. Recently, I decided to put this advice into practice by creating a simple GST (Goods & Services Tax) Calculator — with a twist: I let AI (ChatGPT) guide me through the build.
At first, the idea felt intimidating. I don’t consider myself a finance or tax expert, and my coding knowledge is still a work in progress. But what I discovered is that combining curiosity with AI support can turn a small idea into a working project much faster than expected.
Why a GST Calculator?
In Australia, GST applies to most goods and services at a rate of 10%. For small business owners, freelancers, and even everyday shoppers, it’s handy to quickly calculate GST-inclusive or GST-exclusive prices. I figured a lightweight calculator would be a practical tool to build — not too complex, but still impactful.
How AI Helped Me Build It
Breaking Down the Logic
ChatGPT helped me outline the formula:
GST = (price × 10%)
Price including GST = price + GST
Price excluding GST = price ÷ 1.1
Writing Clean Code
I asked AI to generate snippets in JavaScript and Python.
Then I refined the UI for simplicity — just input fields, a button, and a results area.
Iterating with Prompts
Each time I hit an error or formatting issue, I went back to ChatGPT with specifics.
The loop of try → test → refine became the fastest debugging process I’ve ever used.
Deployment & Usability
I used a lightweight framework to host it online.
Focused on making it mobile-friendly so anyone can calculate on the go.
The Final Tool
You can try it here: Online GST Calculator
It’s simple, but it works — enter a price and instantly see the GST and final totals.
What I Learned
- Start small: A tiny project teaches real lessons in logic, debugging, and deployment.
- AI is a great mentor: Not perfect, but incredibly helpful for breaking through roadblocks.
- Sharing matters: By publishing the project, I’m accountable to improve and open to feedback.
What’s Next?
This project gave me the confidence to explore more AI-assisted builds. I’m considering:
- Expense trackers
- Multi-currency tax tools
- Budgeting dashboards
If anyone here has tried building small tools with AI guidance, I’d love to hear your stories!
Top comments (3)
I recently experimented with building a small financial tool guided by AI and it reminded me of the value of simple, practical projects. My focus was on creating a calculadora de inflacion, which, like a GST calculator, helps users quickly understand numbers that impact everyday decisions. Using AI to outline the logic and generate initial code snippets made the process much smoother, especially when iterating through errors and refining the interface.
Seeing a working tool online, even something straightforward, highlights how small projects teach lessons in logic, debugging, and usability. It also encourages exploring more AI-assisted builds, such as tax tools or budgeting dashboards. Has anyone else tried developing easy-to-use financial calculators with AI guidance?
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This is such an inspiring post — I really like how you combined AI guidance with hands-on coding! 💡 Building a GST calculator might seem simple, but it actually covers so many core concepts like logic structuring, input validation, and UI clarity.
I also agree that starting small is the best way to learn. I’ve been experimenting with similar projects, like creating basic mathematical keisanki for fractions and percentages, and it’s amazing how quickly you can go from idea to a working tool with the help of AI. Keep sharing your builds — they’re motivating for beginners and pros alike!
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