VAT Registration

A VAT identification number, VAT registration number, or VAT number is a unique number that serves to identify either a taxable person (business) or a non-taxable legal entity that was registered for VAT.

You will need to register for VAT in one of the following two cases: When you deliver goods meant for sale on the territory of an EU member state that your company was not originally founded in. Doing so creates a taxable supply, along with a need for VAT registration. The second reason you may need to register for VAT is if you pass the EU-wide distance selling threshold of €10,000. While the value of your sold goods and services remains under the threshold, you will be taxed at your local rate and will only have to pay VAT in your original country, under the local rate. Once you pass the threshold, you will be required to register for VAT in all the countries you do business in.

Once we submit all of your necessary documentation, the process usually takes between 3 and 10 weeks (depending on the country). If you are in a hurry to get registered, we suggest having your paperwork ready in advance, to minimize the amount of back-and-forth.

VAT registration processes vary by country, and so do the prices. To get a quote, please contact our support team, and let them know where you would like to register.

No, they are used for two completely different tax types. A tax registration number is mandatory for all businesses, while certain conditions need to be met for you to get a VAT number. For starters, only a business that was registered for income tax can apply for VAT. When you register a business, you receive a unique 10-digit tax reference number from your local tax administration. Once the business exceeds the relevant tax threshold, you will need to register as a taxpayer with the tax administration, and start submitting annual tax returns. As a registered taxpayer, you will be able to find your tax registration number on your official correspondence documents with the tax administration. On the other hand, you will only receive a VAT number after successfully applying for VAT. This tax is added to the price of the goods and services that you sell on the territory of the country where you have registered. Unlike income tax, VAT is paid by the consumer, not by you.

Most countries’ public tax agencies will have a VAT lookup tool on their official website. To verify a company’s VAT status, you will need to locate this tool on the relevant tax agency website, paste the company’s tax ID into the relevant field, and find them there.

No. Each EU state will issue a different national VAT number to every business that successfully applies for it. In practice, if your company sells goods or services in different EU member states, you will probably need to get a VAT number with each of them.

They do, but the format is country-specific. In general, a VAT identification number begins with the code of the country that issued it, followed by a block of numbers or characters. A complete list of VAT formats can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/faqvies.do#item_11

Only the EU’s official tax administrations have the authority to review, decline, or approve a VAT application, and issue an applicant with a VAT number. If you are unsure where to apply for yours, we suggest checking with your local tax administration.