VAT is a central element of the tax system that affects almost every transaction in economic life. It is levied on the sale of goods and services and has a direct impact on businesses and consumers alike. By understanding its mechanisms, business owners can manage their tax obligations more efficiently and consumers can better understand how taxes affect the price of products. Discover the facets of VAT and its importance for trade within and outside the EU.
VAT is an indirect tax levied on the sale of goods and the provision of services. It is applied at every stage of the production and distribution chain, but is ultimately borne by the end consumer. This means that companies pay the tax to the tax office, but pass it on to the customer in the price of the goods and services. A key feature of VAT is the input tax deduction procedure, which allows companies to deduct the VAT they pay on purchases (input tax) from the VAT owed on their sales. This avoids double taxation and ensures that VAT is ultimately only paid by the end consumer. In many countries, especially within the European Union, sales tax is also known as value added tax (VAT) as it taxes the value added to the original value at each stage of production and distribution.
The abbreviation for Value Added Tax is "VAT". The concept of VAT was first introduced by French economist Maurice Lauré in 1954, who implemented it in France. The term "Value Added" refers to the incremental value that is added to a product at each stage of its production or distribution, and the tax is levied on this added value. The abbreviation "VAT" emerged as a convenient shorthand for referring to this tax system, making it easier to discuss, legislate, and implement.
VAT is used in over 160 countries worldwide as a crucial source of government revenue. The abbreviation "VAT" has become part of the common lexicon in finance, taxation, and everyday commerce. It is used in legislation, financial documents, and by businesses and consumers alike to refer to the tax that is applied to goods and services at each stage of production and distribution, excluding the final consumer. The use of the abbreviation facilitates clear communication, ensuring that discussions about tax policies, compliance requirements, and fiscal strategies are accessible and universally understood.
In everyday use, "VAT" is seen on receipts, invoices, and pricing labels, indicating the tax component of the cost of goods and services. Businesses use the term "VAT" when filing their tax returns, calculating the tax they owe based on the difference between the VAT they collect on sales and the VAT they pay on purchases. The abbreviation simplifies complex tax discussions, making the concept more approachable for both professionals in the field and the general public.
What exactly does Turnover mean in this context?
Find out more about basic economic terms in our lexicon. Deepen your knowledge with our lexicon!
There are two main VAT rates in Germany: the regular rate and the reduced rate. The regular VAT rate is 19%, while the reduced rate is 7%. The regular rate of sales tax is applied to most goods and services, while the reduced rate of sales tax applies to certain goods and services that are considered essential or culturally valuable, such as food, books, magazines and mass transit. This distinction is intended to ensure that basic necessities remain more financially accessible. There are also some specific exemptions and special rules for certain products or services that may be exempt from VAT or subject to special rates.
As a rule, entrepreneurs and companies that carry out a commercial or professional activity independently in Germany, i.e. within the country's borders, are liable for VAT. This obligation applies regardless of the legal form of the company, i.e. for sole traders, partnerships, corporations and other types of companies. The VAT obligation applies to the supply of goods and the provision of services that an entrepreneur carries out as part of their business in return for payment.
In addition, legal entities that are not engaged in business activities, such as associations, are also subject to VAT in certain cases if they regularly conduct business operations that go beyond pure asset management.
However, there are exceptions to VAT liability. Small businesses, for example, whose turnover did not exceed a certain amount in the previous calendar year and is not expected to exceed a set threshold in the current year, may be exempt from VAT. This regulation is intended to reduce the administrative burden for smaller companies. Nevertheless, small businesses have the option of waiving the small business regulation and opting for regular VAT liability in order to be able to claim input tax deduction.
There are several exemptions from VAT liability that are provided for in most VAT systems, including the German one. These exemptions are defined by law and aim to exempt certain goods and services from VAT for social, cultural or economic reasons. The most important exemptions include:
| Exemptions | Explanation |
| Small business regulation | Small businesses whose turnover plus the applicable sales tax did not exceed a certain amount in the previous calendar year and is not expected to exceed this amount in the current calendar year may be exempt from sales tax. In Germany, this limit is currently €22,000 in turnover in the previous year and a forecast of no more than €50,000 in the current year. |
| Exports | Deliveries of goods abroad (exports) are exempt from sales tax because they take place outside the sales tax jurisdiction. This is intended to support the competitiveness of companies in the international market. |
| Intra-Community deliveries | Deliveries from one EU member state to another are exempt from sales tax under certain conditions. The prerequisite is that the recipient of the goods is an entrepreneur and is purchasing the goods for their business. |
| Transactions governed by international maritime law and certain aviation transactions | These are also exempt from sales tax under certain conditions. |
| Sales tax exemptions for certain services | Some specific services and goods are exempt from sales tax. These include, for example, educational services and medical treatments. Further information on this can be found in the next section. |
Certain transactions are exempt from VAT if they are legally exempt from VAT. These exemptions are intended to relieve or promote certain economic sectors and support social, cultural or educational objectives. Services that are typically exempt from VAT include:
This list is not exhaustive and the exact conditions for VAT exemption may vary depending on the country and the specific case. It is important that companies and individuals who think they may qualify for VAT exemption check the relevant legal requirements carefully or seek professional advice.
The calculation of sales tax depends on whether you have the net or gross amount of a good or service and want to apply the corresponding sales tax rate.
In Germany, a distinction is made between the standard rate (19%) and the reduced rate (7%). Depending on your starting point, use the following formulas:
VAT = Net × Tax Rate
(Goal: Determining the tax amount)Net = Gross / (1 + Tax Rate)
(Goal: "Back-calculating" the net price)A product costs €100 net. What is the retail price?
A product costs €119 in the store. How much of that does the company keep?
| Term | Explanation |
| Sales tax | Tax on the consumption of goods and services, which is borne by the end consumer. |
| Input tax | Sales tax paid by companies on input services, which can be deducted from their own sales tax liability. |
| Small business regulation | Regulation that allows small businesses to be exempt from sales tax if their turnover does not exceed certain limits. |
| Sales tax identification number (VAT ID) | Number assigned by the tax office to every entrepreneur in the EU for trade between member states. |
| Intra-Community supply | Deliveries of goods between entrepreneurs in different EU member states, which are tax-exempt under certain conditions. |
| Sales tax liability | Obligation of entrepreneurs to pay sales tax on their taxable services. |
| Sales tax return | Advance return in which the sales tax liability for a specific period (usually monthly or quarterly) is calculated. |
| Sales tax return | Annual return in which the total sales tax liability for the previous year is declared to the tax office. |
| Exports (export deliveries) | Tax-free deliveries of goods from an EU member state to a third country. |
| Imports (import sales tax) | Sales tax levied on the import of goods from third countries into the EU. |
| Tax exemption | Certain transactions are exempt from sales tax under specific conditions. |
| Reverse charge procedure | Procedure whereby the recipient of the service owes the sales tax, not the entrepreneur providing the service. |
| Value added tax | Often used synonymously with sales tax; refers to the tax levied on the added value of the value chain. |
| Sales tax liability | The difference between the sales tax that must be paid to the tax office for own sales and the sales tax that can be deducted as input tax. |
| Differential taxation | Special taxation procedure for second-hand goods, works of art, antiques, and collectibles, in which the tax is levied on the difference between the selling price and the purchase price. |
The VAT identification number (VAT ID number) is a unique code assigned to companies within the European Union (EU) for identification purposes under the value added tax system. It is particularly relevant for companies that trade across borders within the EU. The VAT ID number is crucial for the processing of sales tax in transactions between companies from different EU member states and serves to exempt intra-Community supplies and acquisitions from tax.
In Germany, VAT ID numbers are issued by the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) upon application. Companies receive a tax identification number when they are founded and can also apply for a VAT ID number if they are active in the EU internal market. The application can be made online, in writing, or in some cases by telephone.
The validity of a VAT ID number can and should be checked using the EU-wide system for verifying VAT identification numbers (VIES). This verification is important in order to confirm the validity of business partners and to ensure that invoices for intra-Community transactions are issued correctly.
In summary, the VAT ID number is an essential tool for companies in the EU internal market, facilitating the correct handling of VAT in cross-border transactions and helping to prevent tax evasion.
The general format of the VAT ID number is:
[Country code][unique number]
The VAT identification number in the European Union follows a standardized format that varies slightly from country to country, but always begins with a country code followed by a series of digits (and sometimes letters), the exact number and structure of which may vary depending on the country. The format ensures that the number is unique within the EU.
The terms sales tax, value added tax, and input tax all play a role in the system of taxation on goods and services, but differ in their meaning and application.
Sales tax is the general term for the tax levied on the sale of goods and services. It is calculated at each stage of production and distribution and is borne by the end consumer. Companies pay the sales tax they collect to the tax office, but they themselves are not the final payers of this tax.
Value added tax refers to the specific principle of taxation within the sales tax system, whereby only the value added at each stage of production and distribution is taxed. Value added tax avoids double taxation of goods and services by allowing companies to deduct the tax they pay on purchases (input tax) from the tax they charge on sales. In many contexts, the terms sales tax and value added tax are used interchangeably, although the term value added tax places greater emphasis on the principle of the value added tax system.
Input tax is the sales tax that a company has paid when purchasing goods or services for its business activities. This can be deducted from the sales tax that the company charges on its own sales. The right to deduct input tax means that ultimately only the added value is taxed, preventing a cumulative tax burden across the production chain.
In summary: Sales tax is the general tax on sales, value added tax refers to the system that only taxes the added value, and input tax is the sales tax paid by a company on its purchases, which it can deduct from its own sales tax liability.
| Sales Tax Act (UStG) | This act forms the basis for the collection of sales tax in Germany. It defines what constitutes taxable services, how the tax is calculated and paid, and which sales are tax-exempt or subject to a reduced tax rate. |
| Sales Tax Implementation Regulation (UStDV) | The UStDV specifies and supplements the Sales Tax Act with detailed procedural regulations. |
| EU VAT System Directive | As Germany is a member of the European Union, it must also comply with the provisions of the EU VAT System Directive (Directive 2006/112/EC). This directive harmonizes VAT systems within the EU in order to facilitate cross-border trade and avoid distortions of competition. |
| Sales Tax Application Decree (UStAE) | The UStAE contains administrative instructions on the application of the Sales Tax Act. It serves as a guide for financial administration and practice to ensure uniform standards in the application of sales tax regulations. |
| Small business regulation | Small businesses must observe special regulations that allow them to be exempt from sales tax under certain conditions. These regulations are laid down in the Sales Tax Act. |
| Invoicing regulations | The UStG and the UStDV also contain detailed regulations on invoicing, including the requirements for invoices for services subject to sales tax. These include details such as the VAT identification number and the tax amount shown. |
| Input tax deduction | The conditions and procedure for input tax deduction, i.e., the possibility for companies to deduct the sales tax invoiced to them from their own sales tax liability, are also regulated in the Sales Tax Act. |
The terms VAT and sales tax are often used interchangeably, but technically describe different perspectives of the same tax system. VAT is a general consumption tax levied on the turnover of goods and services. It is levied at every stage of production and distribution, but with the possibility of input tax deduction for companies, so that the tax is ultimately borne by the end consumer.
The term VAT emphasizes the tax on the added value generated at each stage of the production and sales process. This means that the difference between the cost of purchased inputs and the price at which the final products or services are sold is taxed. This principle is designed to avoid double taxation by allowing businesses to deduct the VAT they have paid themselves on inputs (goods/services) from the VAT they charge on their outputs (their own goods/services).
To summarize: sales tax is the general term for the tax on the sale of goods and services, while VAT specifically describes the mechanism by which this tax is levied only on the additional value created at each stage of production and trade.
Hyperinflation threatens when an economy is confronted with a combination of factors that can cause an extremely rapid and uncontrolled increase in the general price level. These include excessive money creation by the central bank, a loss of confidence in the currency, political instability, external shocks such as wars or natural disasters and insufficient production of goods and services.
The verification of a German VAT identification number ("VAT ID") is an important process for companies operating in the European single market. In Germany, this verification can be carried out in several ways, with the online portal of the Federal Central Tax Office being the most common method. Companies can use this portal to check the validity and company affiliation of a VAT ID number easily and efficiently. To do this, users must enter the relevant VAT ID no., whereupon the system provides immediate feedback.
Another option is offered by the European Commission's VIES (VAT Information Exchange System), a tool that has been specially developed for checking VAT registration numbers throughout the European Union. This system makes it possible to check the validity of a VAT registration number throughout the EU, which is particularly relevant for companies that maintain business relationships beyond Germany's borders.
It is also possible to contact the relevant tax office directly to obtain assistance with the check. This can be particularly helpful in complex cases or for specific inquiries. Careful verification of the VAT ID number is essential to ensure that all tax obligations are fulfilled correctly and to minimize the risk of fraud or tax law problems.
The VAT identification number ("VAT ID") in Germany can be applied for at the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt). Companies that are active in the cross-border movement of goods and services within the European Union require this number in order to be able to issue VAT-free invoices within the EU. The application can be submitted electronically via the BZSt online portal. Entrepreneurs must prove their tax registration and the need for a VAT ID number, which is usually done by providing their national tax number or entry in the commercial register. After the information has been checked by the BZSt, the VAT ID number is assigned and communicated to the applicant. This procedure ensures that only authorized companies receive a VAT ID number, which supports proper trade within the EU and helps to prevent tax fraud.
Not every company automatically has a VAT identification number (VAT ID no.). The VAT ID number is specifically intended for companies that engage in cross-border trade within the European Union (EU). It is used to identify companies for VAT purposes when trading goods and services across national borders within the EU. Small businesses that operate exclusively on a national level and fall under certain turnover limits, as well as companies that do not provide services subject to VAT, may not require a VAT registration number. The decision whether to apply for a VAT registration number therefore depends on the type of business activity, the geographical scope of the company and the legal requirements of the respective EU country. Companies wishing to trade with other EU countries must apply for a VAT number from the relevant tax office or authority in order to participate correctly in the single market.
The VAT identification number (VAT ID number) must be applied for by companies that are active in the cross-border movement of goods and services within the European Union (EU). This number is required for companies that trade with other EU countries and wish to use or provide VAT-exempt goods or services. It enables the tax authorities to monitor transactions between companies in different EU member states and to ensure that VAT is processed correctly.
In general, therefore, entrepreneurs and companies that want to do business in the EU beyond the borders of their home country must apply for a VAT ID number. This includes both the sale of goods and the provision of services to customers in other EU countries. Small businesses that operate exclusively at a local level and do not exceed the relevant turnover limits do not generally require a VAT number unless they actively choose to participate in cross-border EU trade.
Elsenheimerstraße 61
80687 München Germany
