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Any company registered with the German tax authorities (see our German VAT registration briefing) as a non-resident VAT trader must report taxable transactions through periodic filings, known as returns.
Like all EU member states, the German VAT reporting calendar is on an annual basis. This requires an annual return. In addition, quarterly VAT returns are required if sales range between Euro 1,000 and Euro 7,500 per annum. If above this amount, then monthly filings are required. The exception is newly registered companies, which must submit each month for two years.
Any German monthly or quarterly VAT filing is due on the 10th of the month following the period end. It is possible to apply for a continuing month’s delay on this, but this will require a cash advance payment. The annual German VAT filing, summarising all transactions through the year, is due by 31st May of the following year.
Any German VAT due must be paid at the same time.
Type of return | Frequency | Filing deadline | Document | Format |
VAT return | Monthly | 10th of the month following the tax period | Form UST 1A | |
Quarterly | 10th of the month following the tax period | Form UST 1A | XML | |
Yearly return | Annually | 31st July of the following year of the reporting year | FORM UST 2A | XML |
EC Listing | Monthly | 25th of the following month | ZM (Zusammenfassende Meldung) | |
Quarterly | 25th of the following month | ZM (Zusammenfassende Meldung) | ||
Annually | 25th of the following month | ZM (Zusammenfassende Meldung) | ||
8th Directive | Annually | Minimum of 3 months and may not exceed 12 months- latest by 30th September following the period in the previous calendar year | Vorsteuervergütungsantrag | XML |
13th Directive | Annually | At least 3 consecutive months and may not exceed 12 months, latest by 30th June following the period in the previous calendar year | USt 1 T | XML |
When a company is first VAT registered, it is allocated to one of the many German tax offices around the country. The allocation is based on the country of residency of the trader. For example:
German VAT returns are filed electronically since 2013, with electronic authentication, over the internet.
If there are misdeclarations or late fillings of Germany VAT returns, foreign companies may be subject to penalties. Late filings are subject to a charge of 10% of the VAT due, with a limit of €25,000. If the payment is delayed, there is a further charge of 1% of the VAT due per month overdue. There is a four year statute of limitations for German VAT, except for fraud, in which case it is extended to ten years.
If there is a surplus of VAT inputs over outputs (more VAT incurred than charged), then a German VAT credit arises. In theory, this is due back to the VAT registered business. In the German VAT return, there is a box to tick to apply for a refund which should be returned within three months. However, this may trigger a VAT audit by the tax authorities. Otherwise, the credit is rolled over to the next filing.
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