Description
CS-Cart Tax Exempt,
made simple!
How It works?
If your customer is from EU (European Union ) and he is representing a company (has a valid EU intra community number), the VAT from his order will be automatically removed. Simple right ?
How it works?
We take into consideration 2 aspects.
1. Shop Location
2. Customer Location
*Note: If the customer is from the same country as the shop VAT will be applied in all cases.
Backend (shop administration):
This add-on, will automatically create 1 field in customers profile:
Customer side :
By default it will show in user profile and checkout , as 2 fields, first one is a select box of country codes (EU countries) and a max 12 digit field
Verifying the validity of VAT number:
There are several checks made.
If the shop is not from the same country with the customer, here is where the add-on will do the job.
When a user is inserting his VAT number, the add-on is verifying if it is written correctly: 2 letters (country code) in the first field, and max 12 characters in the second field.
In case this condition is passed, there is a second check, this number is sent and validated on the official EU VIES system which handles VAT numbers in real time: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/
If the VAT number is valid, the user can purchase his order with tax exempt.
We created this add-on because of the headaches we had validating vat numbers which our customers provided. Also, there was always a delay, since the customers had to send us mail before purchasing.
Here are few cases to undestand the principle.
We have the following variables.
Shop Location - company , Customer as individual, Customer as a company, and customer's location.
Case 1:
Shop location: Germany (Eu country)
If the Customer is from Germany, it doesnt matter if he is a company or individual, he will pay VAT.
Case 2:
Shop Location: Germany (Eu country)
Customer is an individual from France (Eu country) - so he has NO EU intra community number
In this case the customer will pay VAT
Case 3:
Shop Location : Germany (Eu country)
The customer is a company from France (EU country) - Valid EU intra community numner
In this case the customer will NOT pay the VAT.
Case 4:
Shop Location : Germany (Eu country)
The customer is outside EU, so it doesnt matter if he is a company or an individual, he will NOT pay VAT. This is considered import/export and it is subject to other taxes (customs)
According to EU laws, For VAT e-commerce FAQ please read this : https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/citizens/buying-goods-and-services-online-personal-use_en