Fiscal subject related
The VAT ID eliminates the time-consuming double taxation process. The supplier of the goods or services does not pay sales tax, only the recipient is obliged to do so. The prerequisite is that both companies have a valid VAT ID.
In order to get the VAT ID, you have to apply for it at the Federal Central Tax Office, It can be done online or by post.
However, even when dealing with German customers you can use VAT ID, it offers greater security and data protection. If a company has a VAT ID it has to be shown on the imprint on its website.
Other news from Germany
Fiscalization in German Taxis
In Germany, taxi and rental car services must comply with KassenSichV by using Technical Security Equipment (TSE) to secure and record cash transactions, ensuring transparency and traceability. Mobile TSE solutions, including portable receipt printers and electronic receipts, enable taxis to meet compliance requirements effectively, with no exemptions, thanks to advancements in affordable, mobile-... Read more
In Germany, there are harsher penalties for failing to issue receipts.
The German government plans to strengthen enforcement of the receipt issuance obligation for retailers by amending § 379 of the Fiscal Code to classify failure to issue receipts as an administrative offense. This amendment will allow tax authorities to impose fines ranging from €5,000 to €25,000 to ensure compliance and enhance efforts to combat tax evasion. The move emphasizes using technical sec... Read more
German Government Clarifies Implementation of B2B e-Invoicing Mandate
The German federal government has provided an official update on the progress and requirements for the upcoming B2B e-Invoicing mandate, set to begin on January 1, 2025. The government clarified that while a simple invoice sent by email may suffice for basic compliance, alternative communication methods can also be agreed upon between parties. More details are as follows. Read more
Enforcing the Receipt Issuance Obligation in Germany
In recent years, the digitalization of financial transactions has driven the need for stricter measures to ensure the accuracy and integrity of recorded sales data. Among these measures is the receipt issuance obligation ("Belegausgabepflicht"), introduced under § 146a Absatz 2 AO as part of Germany's law to prevent the manipulation of digital records. But what measures exactly are we talking about? Let's find out! Read more
Reform of External Audits in Germany from 2025
Starting January 1st, 2025, Germany will introduce reforms to its external audit procedures under the Fiscal Code, aiming to enhance efficiency and transparency for businesses. Major chages include: Audit orders must be issued by the end of the calendar year following the year in which the tax assessment was first completed. For example, if a sales tax return for 2025 is approved in March 2027,... Read more
Reporting of cash registers to the Tax Authority in Germany
In Germany, there is a mandatory registration and decommissioning of the cash registers to the tax authorities, which has been part of the fiscal law since 2021, but there has been no platform to report this information so far. So, what can you do now and how can you report cash registers? On June 28th, 2024, the German Federal Ministry of Finance issued a new application decree specifying the ca... Read more
Understanding the Business Identification Number (W-IdNr) in Germany
The Business Identification Number or Wirtschafts-Identifikationsnummer (W-IdNr) is a new type of identifying number that will be introduced starting in November 2024. The Federal Central Tax Office will begin assigning the W-IdNr automatically to both new and existing businesses from that time, with the process expected to continue until 2026. The Wirtschafts-Identifikationsnummer (W-IdNr) is a u... Read more