Level playing fields on VAT EU v USA

[Essex_boy]

heres a reprint on the VAT or value added tax problems between the US and the EU.

Answers a few questions.

[ecommercetimes.com...]

[TallTroll]

Nice find. A good summary of the current position

[webdiversity]

Interesting it refers to different rules for B2B. Does anyone know what those rules are?

What about dealing with companies outside the US and Europe (say in Asia). How does the whole VAT thing apply there?

It's still very grey.

[Essex_boy]

Dont know is simply the answer to that one, VAT's a strange beast at the best of times, you might like to try the inland revenue and their web site.

Despite the rumours they are very helpful!

[choster]

Related thread: [webmasterworld.com...] .

[ytswy]

>B2B rules

I don't know exactly how it effect non EC busineses, but as a UK company we can ship VAT free to any non-UK EC company which is VAT registered in their own country (apart from within UK itself, they have to pay VAT and claim it back in their own VAT return).

However it is our responsibility to verify that they are properly VAT registered - ie if we ship an order on a telephone number (its happened :() then we end up paying the VAT.

Death or taxes, which is worse? :(

<edit>clarity</edit>

[Essex_boy]

taxes, death aint gonna cost you anything.