VAT Refund

VAT is a tax on consumer expenditure. It is collected on business transactions, imports and acquisitions.

If you import goods from inside the Single European Market you must enter VAT details on your VAT Return. This VAT is known as "acquisition tax". You can reclaim the VAT as if the goods were supplied in Germany. You may have to complete an Intrastat supplementary declaration.

More detailed information is available at the website of the European Commission. Suppliers also have got the opportunity to check the validity of VAT numbers at this web page.

The Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged automatically whenever you buy or sell any good or service in Germany. The current tax rate is 19% with a special rate of 7% on goods like, food, books and taxi services. There are also a variety of goods that are VAT-free. This includes the sale of houses, medicines etc.