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Applying for reimbursement of VAT paid in Germany by entrepreneurs from non-EU countries

Service Description

Upon application, the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt) will refund the VAT paid in Germany to companies based outside the European Union (EU).

This regulation only applies to companies that

  • based in a country outside the EU and
  • are registered there.

The country in which your company is based and registered refunds VAT to German companies or does not levy VAT. So-called reciprocity applies.

Alternatively, you may be eligible to apply if you participate in the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) procedure. This procedure allows you as a company to pay tax centrally in one member state on certain transactions carried out in the EU.

Companies based in other EU member states can also apply for input tax refund. To do so, you must submit your application for input tax refund in the electronic portal of the EU member state in which your company is based and registered.

Process flow

You must submit your application for a VAT refund electronically in the BZSt online portal (BOP):

  • log in using your BOP or ELSTER certificate.
  • Complete the form "Application for domestic VAT refund for foreign entrepreneurs (third countries)" in the BOP and submit it electronically.
  • Once your application has been successfully submitted, you will receive a confirmation of dispatch in your BOP inbox. You will also receive a cover sheet for sending supporting documents for your application.
  • You must send the original invoices and import documents on which the electronic application is based to the BZSt by post within the application deadline. Use the cover sheet in your mailbox to send the required documents. This enables the BZSt to assign your documents to your electronically transmitted application.
  • The BZSt will check your application and the documents you have sent.
  • If your application is approved, you will receive a notification and the requested amount of VAT paid will be refunded.

Requirements

  • Applications for reimbursement can be submitted by persons registered as entrepreneurs outside the EU.
  • The country in which you are based refunds VAT to German companies or does not levy VAT (so-called reciprocity). Or you participate in the special One-Stop-Shop (OSS) scheme.
  • You have neither your registered office nor your management within the EU.
  • You do not have a permanent establishment within the EU from which taxable sales are made.
  • You are not registered for VAT in Germany during the remuneration period.
  • You do not carry out any sales in Germany, with the exception of
    • Deliveries and services for which the recipient of the service is liable for VAT and must pay it to the tax office,
    • transactions that are subject to individual transport taxation,
    • intra-Community acquisitions, i.e. deliveries from one EU member state to another, and
    • subsequent deliveries within the framework of an intra-Community triangular transaction, i.e. a delivery in which at least 3 companies from different EU member states are involved,
    • Supplies that fall under the OSS non-EU regulation:
      • Services provided to private individuals in an EU member state in return for payment.
  • the remuneration period must cover at least 3 consecutive calendar months in a calendar year
    • the period may be less than 3 months if it is the remaining period of the calendar year
  • the remuneration period may not exceed one calendar year
  • the periods of applications may not overlap
  • You must apply for at least EUR 1,000 in compensation
    • for a remuneration period that covers the calendar year or the last period of a calendar year, you must apply for at least EUR 500.00 in remuneration

Which documents are required?

  • Original invoices and import documents
  • Company certificate, i.e. official certificate from your country of residence confirming that you are registered there as a company under a tax number with the following information:
    • full name
    • Full address
    • type of activity
    • Tax number or the reason why no tax number exists
    • Date, stamp and signature of the issuing authority

What are the fees?

There are no costs.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

Application Deadline: 6 Months
The application must be submitted within 6 months of the end of the calendar year in which the VAT was incurred.

Processing duration

Processing Time: 4 - 6 Weeks
for registration in the BZSt online portal (BOP)

Processing Time: 6 Months
for the processing of your application

Legal basis

Applications / forms

  • Objection
  • Fiscal court action

Appeal

What else should I know?

There are no indications or special features.

Further Information

Author

Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt)


Forwarding service: Deep link to the source portal

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Technically approved by

Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF)

Professionally released on

22.01.2024

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Thüringen (Linie6PLus)

Start your request directly online:

Competent Authority

Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt)

Address
An der Küppe 1
53225 Bonn, Stadt
Remark: Head office Bonn-Beuel
Link to the directions:
https://www.bzst.de/DE/DasBZSt/Dienstsitze/_docs/anfahrt_ds_bonn.html
Telephone
+49 228 406-0
Fax
+49 228 406-2661
E-Mail
Contact us
WWW
Website of the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt)
Opening times

Monday: 09:00 - 16:00
Tuesday: 09:00 - 16:00
Wednesday: 09:00 - 16:00
Thursday: 09:00 - 16:00
Friday: 09:00 - 16:00

Further Authorities

Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (BZSt), Umsatzsteuer
Address
Passower Chaussee 3b
16303 Schwedt/Oder
Telephone
+49 228 4061200
Fax
+49 228 4063200
E-Mail
Contact us
WWW
Website of the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt)