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This guide provides an overview of VAT in Germany, including applicable rates, registration requirements, compliance obligations, and filing deadlines. It is designed for businesses engaging in transactions within Germany.
is Germany’s VAT rate, contributing more than a third of all tax revenue.
Foreign businesses that incur VAT on eligible expenses in Germany may be able to reclaim it.
*Only recoverable for EU claimants.
Doing business in Germany? You’ll need to play by the UStG rules.
Registration is required only once your business exceeds the threshold in Germany.
Germany follows the EU’s ESS VAT rules. Businesses providing digital services (e.g., website hosting, software, digital media) must apply the VAT rate based on the consumer’s location, often utilizing the OSS system for cross-border services.
Processing times for a Germany VAT refund varies, but businesses reclaiming VAT in Germany can expect it to take anywhere from a few months to a year, depending on the claim complexity and submission accuracy.
Yes. Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 is accepted and strongly recommended. It can be used for both B2G and B2B invoicing.
Deadlines vary, but claims for VAT in Germany typically need to be submitted within 6 months to 1 year of the expense date. It is important to take note of the key deadlines.
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This webinar explains how US businesses can identify and recover foreign VAT, breaking down key concepts like reciprocity and showing where refund opportunities are often missed.