Much is being made about the introduction of SAP’s ‘Clean Core’ concept and how it will impact a business’ ability to customize its ERP to meet the unique needs of its operation. In this first blog in a series taking on the issue of Clean Core, I’d like to focus on the realities of what it is, why it’s important and the reasoning behind it.
What is SAP Clean Core?
SAP defines ‘Clean Core’ as a method of integrating and extending systems in a way that is cloud-compliant, while ensuring governance over master data and business process. In simpler terms, the move to SAP Clean Core helps protect the integrity of the SAP platform by limiting the extent of customization. And for good reason.
As a software vendor, you can’t lose control of your own code because you’re allowing so much customization and additional code to be added by your customers and or their consultants. These customizations are often intended for very specific use cases that may impact only a small number of customers. A ‘Clean Core’ architecture protects the SAP platform and its customers by limiting these excessive customizations.
The Problem with Over-Customization
When a platform becomes overly customized, SAP, the platform owner, must deploy a tremendous amount of development and support resources to ensure that they are accounting for all the changes and capturing feedback from the field.
This generally requires the platform owner to be in a perpetual state of developing hot fix code patches to repair ‘breaks’ in the system brought on by over customization. While customers would only be required to implement the code patches there were relevant to them, SAP was still on the hook for developing thousands of these patches. The cost and resources of doing so were growing exponentially, and needed to be reined in.
Benefits of Clean Core for SAP Customers
As anyone who has worked in or with IT for any period of time can attest to, the most complicated environments are ones where there is a great deal of customization. Early on in Information Technology, it was the Wild West, where based on the knowledge and experience of your architect, is how your businesses network would be constructed.
Then, thankfully, platforms and standards entered the discussion and businesses were able to construct environments that enabled them to operationalize new capabilities quickly, while simultaneously lowering costs and driving down dependencies within IT departments. The position SAP is taking here, and one that I agree with, is that clean core will be the next stage in making your environment more productive and efficient.
Implications of SAP Clean Core on Taxes
One of the most significant implications of Clean Core is in tax compliance. Clean Core opens up new possibilities for businesses to employ personalized tax technology outside of their traditional SAP environments. Rather than trying to build complex coding to tackle increasingly complex tax rules within their ERPs, they can integrate dedicated tax engines that are automated and seamlessly update to changing regulatory environments.
SAP Clean Core offers businesses the opportunity to simplify their IT environments, reduce customization, and improve system stability. The implications of Clean Core on taxes are especially promising, as businesses can now leverage specialized tax technology that integrates smoothly with their SAP systems, ensuring compliance without added complexity.
Coming Next
Stay tuned for the next part in this series, where we will dive deeper into how Clean Core impacts specific tax processes. Upcoming segments will cover:
Part IV: Clean Core benefits and business performance
Part V: Eliminating Tax’ dependency on IT
Tax authorities across Eastern Europe continue to move ahead with SAF-T adoption, with upcoming changes impacting VAT compliance requirements for businesses operating in the region.
In this exclusive webinar, you’ll get in-depth insights on:
– Romania’s SAF-T expansion: The tax authorities will expand the scope of businesses impacted by this requirement to non-established companies from January 2025
– Bulgaria’s SAF-T Introduction (2025): Learn about Bulgaria’s planned adoption of the SAF-T framework and what it means for businesses operating in the region
– Poland’s Extended SAF-T Reporting: Discover how Poland is expanding its SAF-T filing requirements and how this may affect VAT compliance and audits
Join our expert, Clementine Mayor, VAT Consultant as she unpacks the latest developments in VAT reporting across Eastern Europe. Don’t miss this opportunity to understand how these changes will shape the future of VAT audits and prepare your business for compliance.
Italy: IPT Treatment on Used Vehicle Warranty Services
On 21 May 2024, the Italian tax authority published a ruling (No. 110/2024) on the IPT treatment of warranty services provided in relation to the sale of used vehicles.
The ruling dealt with a scenario in which a company (the ‘Applicant’) provided warranty services to dealers within the same company group, with the latter offering these warranties to the purchasers of the vehicles. The Applicant also separately entered into insurance contracts with an insurance company to obtain coverage for the costs it incurred in repairing the vehicles sold when required under the terms of the warranty.
The insurance contract concluded between the Applicant and the insurance company would only be subject to IPT in Italy if the policyholder’s relevant establishment was located in Italy, in line with the location of risk rules.
More significantly, however, the ruling also addressed the warranty services provided by the Applicant to the dealers. For these, the ruling assessed that guarantees such as these do not satisfy the requirements of an insurance contract with an insurance company as the contracting party. The VAT treatment of this arrangement was outside the scope of the ruling, but it was conclusive in outlining that IPT does not apply to such an arrangement.
Comparing this ruling to the position in Germany highlights the possibility of a lack of harmonisation in this area without an EU-wide position.
Read our blog on general matters of IPT in Italy for additional information.
Germany: The Application of IPT rather than VAT to Guarantee Commitments
Following the publication of various circulars by the Federal Ministry of Finance in Germany in 2021, rules on the taxation of guarantee commitments were made effective 1 January 2023. This blog explains how this affects insurers and other suppliers.
Scope of the rules for guarantee commitments
The Ministry of Finance published its initial circular in May 2021. This was in response to a Federal Fiscal Court judgment. It concerned a seller of motor vehicles providing a guarantee to buyers beyond the vehicle’s warranty.
In these circumstances, the circular confirmed that the guarantee is not an ancillary service to vehicle delivery but is deemed to be an insurance benefit. As such, it would attract IPT instead of VAT – unless the guarantee is considered a full maintenance contract.
The circular did not prompt immediate concern within the insurance sector. Markets outside the motor vehicle industry weren’t concerned either. The presumption was that it was limited to the specific context of the motor vehicle industry.
Matters changed the following month. The Ministry of Finance clarified that the tax principles it outlined in fact applied to all industries. As a result, the scope of these rules became potentially limitless in Germany. All guarantees provided as additional products to goods or services sold are now within the scope of the application of IPT.
The clarification could impact industries like those organisations selling electrical items and household appliances.
Effect on insurers and other suppliers
The effect on traditional insurance companies should be relatively limited as they do not usually provide guarantees as part of the sales of goods and services. There could arguably be a significant impact on other suppliers that do provide such guarantees.
First and foremost, there is a potential increase in the cost of providing the guarantees caused by the application of IPT. Unlike input VAT, a supplier cannot deduct IPT from its taxable income – it must either increase prices to compensate or accept a less favourable profit margin.
Any companies that purchase the guarantees cannot reclaim the IPT either, as they can do with VAT. The standard IPT rate of 19% in Germany is high compared to most European countries. This exacerbates these issues.
There are also practical considerations to bear in mind for suppliers obliged to settle IPT with the tax authority. They are presumably required to be registered for IPT purposes like insurers, although the Ministry of Finance has not formally confirmed this.
Perhaps more difficult is the issue of licensing. The Ministry of Finance circulars focus on taxation, leaving it unclear whether other suppliers are now required to obtain a license to write insurance under German regulatory law.
Looking for more information on general IPT matters in Germany? Our German IPT page can help.
Determining and calculating IPT liabilities in various regions can be challenging.
Sovos IPT Determination is a compliance software designed to streamline Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) calculations and ensure accurate tax reporting.
In this webinar, Ramesh Sudhan, Sovos’ Director of Product and Research & Development, will guide you step-by-step through several typical processes supported by the solution.
Cross-border trade requires navigating complex regulations, customs requirements, and tax laws – with compliance being essential to avoid costly penalties.
Recent mandates in Romania highlight these challenges, emphasising the need for up-to-date knowledge. Businesses trading across the EU must understand country-specific mandates, like VAT obligations and e-invoicing, especially for companies which are VAT-registered in multiple countries.
The Government of the Republic of Slovenia has released a draft proposal to implement mandatory e-invoicing and e-reporting for B2B and B2C transactions. This implementation would mark a significant shift in the country’s e-invoicing landscape.
Should the proposal be approved, taxpayers will be subject to a two-fold obligation: they must issue and exchange B2B invoices electronically and report B2B and B2C transactional data to the tax authority. Although clearance will not be required in the e-invoice issuance process, transactional data must be reported to the tax authority in near real-time, which shows that Slovenia is aligning with the global trend of governments implementing Continuous Transaction Controls (CTC).
Taxpayers under scope are all business entities registered in Slovenia’s Business Register (PRS), including companies, self-employed entities and associations. To register in the PRS, business entities must have a registered office or address in the territory of the Republic of Slovenia.
This new system also introduces a decentralised reporting and exchange model facilitated by registered service providers, called e-route providers. These are similar to the network exchange requirements in France and those planned for Spain.
The proposed mandatory e-invoicing and CTC e-reporting will be introduced from 1 June 2026.
E-invoicing requirements
The e-invoicing mandate would require taxpayers to issue, send and receive e-invoices and other e-documents for B2B domestic transactions.
Under the Slovenian proposal, e-invoices refer to an invoice or similar accounting document that records business transactions, regardless of what they are called. This includes credit notes, debit notes, advance invoices, payment requests, etc.
There are multiple supported formats for the exchange of e-invoices:
e-SLOG standard, developed by the Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia, which is compatible with EN16931 and already in use in the B2G sector
European standard EN 16931 for e-invoices, as per Directive 2014/55/EU
Other internationally recognised standards agreed mutually by the parties
The proposal allows three methods for e-invoice issuance and exchange:
E-route providers, which are registered service providers facilitating the issuance and exchange of e-invoices and e-documents.
Direct exchange between the issuer and recipient’s information systems (excluding e-mail transmission)
The authority’s free application for taxpayers with a smaller business volume
In cases where the issuer and recipient use e-invoice different standards, if using e-route providers, the recipient’s provider must convert the e-invoice to the syntax accepted by the recipient.
Regarding B2C transactions, consumers will have the option to receive either e-invoices or paper invoices. This must be agreed upon by the parties. If an e-invoice is issued, suppliers will be obliged to provide a visualised content version (e.g., PDF).
CTC e-reporting requirements
The proposal states that taxpayers must electronically report B2B and B2C transactional data, including cross-border transactions, to the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (FURS) within eight days of invoice issuance or receipt. Reporting must be done exclusively in the e-SLOG standard.
The reporting requirement extends to B2C and cross-border transactions, regardless of whether an invoice was issued electronically. This ensures that transactions such as these, for which e-invoicing is not mandatory, are reported to the FURS allowing it a comprehensive collection of taxpayers’ transactional data.
The selected method for e-invoice exchange will impact the e-reporting of transactional data. If the parties use e-route providers, both the issuer’s and recipient’s providers must send the e-invoice to FURS. For direct exchanges, both parties must separately report their transactions to FURS.
E-route provider requirements
The draft establishes obligations and certain technical requirements applicable to e-route providers. According to the Slovenian government, the requirements to become an e-route provider are comparable to those in France but without the need for certification
However, the public authorities will maintain a list of registered e-route service providers who must fulfil certain requirements, some of which are already listed in the draft law. The proposal does not state explicit local registration/establishment rules for e-route providers. The government will publish further regulations detailing the application process and other applicable requirements.
Next steps
The government must take certain crucial steps before enforcing the mandate. The Parliament must officially approve the draft law before the requirements are confirmed.
Moreover, publication of the technical specifications and further regulations are awaited, including details of the data reporting methods to the tax authority. Slovenia will need to apply for a derogation from the VAT Directive with the EU Commission to enforce mandatory B2B e-invoicing before the adoption of ViDA (VAT in the Digital Age).
For businesses operating in Slovenia, this will mean impactful changes to their outbound and inbound processes by 1 June 2026. This includes the acquisition of software or update of their systems to issue, send and receive e-invoices, adapting to the allowed e-invoicing formats and connecting to the FURS or availing the services of e-route providers to electronically report their data.
Have questions about how these changes could affect your operations? Ask our team of experts.
Singapore E-invoicing
While electronic invoicing is not mandated yet on any level in Singapore, the country’s tax authority is working on implementing a continuous transaction control (CTC) reporting model.
Singapore’s push towards digitalization was evidenced by the launch of its e-invoicing standard framework in 2018. Singapore was the first country outside Europe to adopt PEPPOL. The PEPPOL Business Interoperability Specifications (BIS) for e-invoicing and the PEPPOL eDelivery Network have been live since 2019.
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has announced the implementation of a phased adoption of InvoiceNow, the national e-invoicing framework based on the PEPPOL network, for invoicing data transmission. It will start voluntarily for GST-registered businesses in May 2025. The mandate will only cover B2B transactions; the government is expected to make B2G mandatory in the coming years.
Bookmark this page and revisit it often to stay on top of upcoming obligations.
Format Currently both Singapore BIS Billing 3.0 (PEPPOL) and Singapore (SG) PEPPOL PINT are allowed; PEPPOL PINT will be used exclusively from 2025.
eSignature Requirement Ensuring integrity and authenticity is required, an e-signature is one method of assurance.
Archiving Requirement Five years
Singapore B2G e-invoicing
Network InvoiceNow.
Format Currently both Singapore BIS Billing 3.0 (PEPPOL) and Singapore (SG) PEPPOL PINT are allowed; PEPPOL PINT will be used exclusively from 2025.
eSignature Requirement Ensuring integrity and authenticity is required, an e-signature is one method of assurance.
Archiving Requirement Five years.
E-invoicing in Singapore: Requirements and regulations
Currently, there is no mandate for using e-invoices in Singapore. However, taxpayers can connect to the PEPPOL network to send and receive e-invoices. Singapore’s IMDA is a PEPPOL authority and, as such, those who choose to send invoices electronically through the InvoiceNow network must meet the format requirements:
Singapore BIS Billing 3.0 (PEPPOL) or Singapore (SG) PEPPOL PINT, though the latter will become the only applicable format from 2025.
E-reporting in Singapore: Requirements and regulations
Singapore is implementing a CTC reporting mandate, utilizing the nation’s InvoiceNow PEPPOL framework. The implementation of this mandate sees a move away from a PEPPOL 4 corner model, instead adopting a PEPPOL 5 corner model with taxpayers transmitting invoice data to the IRAS, the nation’s tax authority.
Invoice data from both sales and purchases needs to be reported to the tax authority. Reporting requirements for “PEPPOL e-invoices” is real-time. For invoices issued outside InvoiceNow (“solution extracted invoices”), reporting is within a specific deadline with weekly submission recommended, no later than the return due date.
Accredited Access Points (AP) are the only parties allowed to submit invoice data to IRAS using C5 API – Sovos is an accredited AP in Singapore.
The implementation of this e-reporting obligation is included in the implementation timeline below.
Singapore’s E-invoicing and E-reporting Implementation timeline
Digitalization is on a storied journey towards implementation in Singapore. Here are the important dates:
May 2018: Singapore’s IMDA became the first PEPPOL Authority outside of Europe
January 2019: The nation’s e-invoicing network, later named InvoiceNow, launched
March 2020: Singapore launches Registration Grant to incentivise businesses to join the network
1 May 2025: B2B e-reporting is implemented for voluntary early adoption by GST-registered businesses
1 November 2025: B2B e-reporting is implemented for newly incorporated companies that register for GST voluntarily
PEPPOL in Singapore
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) became the first PEPPOL Authority outside of Europe in May 2018. Later, it launched its e-invoicing network with an initial 11 Access Point providers.
The network is established on the PEPPOL framework, helping businesses exchange documents electronically. As a PEPPOL Authority, IMDA can:
Approve and certify PEPPOL Access Point providers in Singapore
Accredit PEPPOL-ready solution providers in Singapore
Govern the compliance of businesses to the PEPPOL framework
Specify country-specific rules and technical standards under the PEPPOL framework – namely SG PEPPOL BIS and SG PEPPOL PINT format
While Singapore encourages businesses to issue and receive invoices electronically through its InvoiceNow system, it has not yet mandated e-invoicing between businesses. The mandatory e-reporting using InvoiceNow will start from 1 November 2025 for newly incorporated companies that register for GST voluntarily.
InvoiceNow is a nationwide e-invoicing initiative by The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) that helps SMEs and large enterprises streamline invoicing. The aim is to provide a faster and more sustainable way to transact, nationwide and worldwide.
PEPPOL is a standard for sending electronic invoices to public sector clients (in other words, for B2G transactions) throughout the EU – and beyond. Singapore was the first PEPPOL-approved authority outside of Europe.
Meet the Sovos team in Prague where Anna Norden, Sovos’Principal, Regulatory Affairswill be sharing an update on the CIAT Digitalization Classification Matrix. The team will also be waiting to greet you at the Sovos stand to discuss all things e-invoicing.
Sovos invites you to meet the team in London and hear Ryan Ostilly, our VP, Product Management share strategies for harnessing tax compliance measures as a force for growth within your organisation.
Sovos are delighted to support this year’s event as Platinum sponsors. Meet the team and learn more about our Indirect Tax Suite and how it can benefit your business.
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has announced the implementation of a phased adoption of InvoiceNow, the national e-invoicing framework based on the Peppol network, for GST registered businesses starting voluntarily in May 2025. The mandate will cover B2B transactions only, as the government is expected to make B2G mandatory in the coming years.
What is InvoiceNow?
InvoiceNow is a nationwide e-invoicing initiative by The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) for SMEs and large enterprises to streamline their invoicing for a faster and more sustainable way to transact, nationwide and worldwide.
What’s the timeline?
Singapore’s nationwide e-invoicing network was first announced in 2019 and has recently been referred to as InvoiceNow. The mandate will require GST registered businesses to use InvoiceNow solutions to transmit invoice data to IRAS. The transmission of invoice data to IRAS will be done through Peppol Access Point (AP) service providers, extending the traditional four corner e-delivery model to a fifth corner model.
The mandate will be implemented in phases, as follows:
From 1 May 2025, for voluntary early adoption by GST-registered businesses, as a soft launch.
From 1 November 2025, for newly incorporated companies that register for GST voluntarily.
From 1 April 2026, for all new voluntary GST-registrants.
Even though an implementation timeline for all businesses has not been shared yet, further updates are expected in the future.
Sovos is here to help
Saphety Level – Trusted Services, S.A is an IMDA-certified Peppol service provider in Singapore. Our regulatory experts can connect to the InvoiceNow network on your behalf.
e-invoicing in Germany
Germany, like many European countries, is on its way to implementing electronic invoicing requirements for domestic taxpayers of all shapes and sizes. However, e-invoicing is yet to be fully implemented and mandated in the country.
E-invoicing in Germany is currently divided by transaction type. There are national and federal requirements for B2G transactions, but the time hasn’t come for B2B transactions to utilise e-invoices yet. This will begin to change in 2025, and by 2028, all German businesses will be mandated to send and receive invoices electronically.
With Germany’s e-invoicing rollout fragmented and intensive to follow, use this page as your go-to overview to ensure you meet your obligations. Bookmark this page and revisit it whenever you need a reminder of the current requirements.
From January 2025, taxpayers must be able to receive electronic invoices. Sending and receiving e-invoices will become mandatory in Germany from 1 January 2027, applying to companies with an annual turnover exceeding EUR 800,000. From January 2028, it will apply to all companies.
This go-live date for German B2B e-invoicing was set in March 2024 when the Bundesrat passed the law known as ‘Wachstumschancengesetz’.
Germany B2G e-invoicing
E-invoicing is mandated when trading with public administrations, though it’s divided at a federal state level. There is a national mandate, but it runs alongside its 16 federal states – each of which has legislative freedom to develop its own e-invoicing platform.
The following German federal states have implemented e-invoicing for governmental transactions:
Baden-Württemberg
Bavaria
Berlin
Bremen
Hamburg
Hessen
Lower Saxony
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
North Rhine-Westphalia
Rhineland-Palatinate
Saarland
Saxony
Saxony-Anhalt
Schleswig-Holstein
Thuringia
The aforementioned European Directive (2014/55/EU) requires member-state government entities to be able to receive and handle electronic invoices according to the CEN standard, EN 16931.
Timeline: e-invoicing adoption in Germany
The implementation of e-invoicing in Germany can be hard to follow. Here are the main dates you need to know:
April 2017: Germany publishes its e-Bill law
18 April 2020: Federal states implement mandatory e-invoicing in public procurement
27 November 2020: Public authorities must receive e-invoices from state authorities
July 2023: Germany’s Federal Ministry of Finance presents draft legislation for mandatory e-invoicing
22 March 2024: Germany’s Federal Council approves a legislative package that includes the introduction of mandatory e-invoicing
1 January 2025: German taxpayers must be able to receive e-invoices from their suppliers (B2B)
1 January 2027: German taxpayers with an annual turnover of at least EUR 800,000 must issue e-invoices for B2B transactions
1 January 2028: Remaining German taxpayers must issue e-invoices for B2B transactions
1 July, 2030: German VAT-registered businesses must comply with VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) requirements, which include mandatory e-invoicing and digital reporting for Intra-Community B2B transactions.
Benefits of e-invoicing in Germany
Implementing electronic invoicing can benefit taxpayers by automating processes. Not only can this save time and headspace, it can also significantly reduce the risk of errors by removing the need for people to input and handle data manually.
Future of e-invoicing in Germany
While it’s now clear that there’s more to come on the e-invoicing front in Germany, there’s a larger initiative that could shift how the technology is implemented in the country – and across EU Member States at large.
VAT in the Digital Age is a proposal to digitize the European VAT system, implementing digital reporting and e-invoicing, among other new, innovative tax solutions.
It’s worth noting that while Germany is still working on implementing e-invoicing for all resident taxpayers, many countries are further along in their electronic invoicing journey. Global tax compliance can be tough, considering the nuances of each country’s tax digitization journey, but Sovos can help – wherever you do business.
Additional obligations for VAT compliance in Germany
While electronic invoicing is an important component of tax compliance in Germany, organisations have other obligations to stay on top of.
Staying updated with regulatory expectations becomes even more complicated when you consider the evolving nature of laws. Not only do you need to meet your current obligations, but you also need to stay on top of what’s to come – this is demanding in terms of both time and resources.
Non-compliance can be costly, but you don’t need to fall behind. Find out more about German VAT compliance with our dedicated overview.
B2G e-invoicing is mandatory in Germany, and B2B e-invoicing is currently scheduled to come into effect from 1 January 2027 for companies with an annual turnover exceeding EUR 800,000.
The ZRE stands for Zentrale Rechnungseingangsplattform des Bundes, which translates as Central Invoice Submission Portal. ZRE is a web portal that allows suppliers and service providers to send electronic invoices to federal entities.
ZUGFeRD is a hybrid e-invoicing format that includes human-readable (PDF/A-3) and machine-interpretable invoice data. It’s based on XML, allowing invoices to be sent as attachments or embedded within an email.
ZUGFeRD meets the requirements of the European standard (EN 16931).
XRechnung is a standard for electronic invoicing that the German government accepted in late 2020. It was devised as a standard for converting invoice information into an XML data file, serving as an e-invoice.
XRechnung also meets the requirements of the European standard (EN 16931).
B2G e-invoicing has been mandated at a national level since mid-2019, meaning that all Member State government agencies must be able to receive and manage electronic invoices.
Elsewhere, here’s the timeline for B2B e-invoicing in the country:
From January 2025, all German taxpayers must be able to receive electronic invoices from their suppliers.
From January 2027, all German taxpayers with an annual turnover of over EUR 800,000 must issue electronic invoices.
From January 2028, all German taxpayers must issue and receive electronic invoices.
When transacting with federal contracting authorities, you should send an electronic invoice through the relevant state’s individual transmission platform.
Setting up e-invoicing in Germany with Sovos
B2B e-invoicing has yet to be implemented in Germany, but it provides yet another obligation for organisations to meet once it is. Then, consider the other countries where you do business and the stages they may be at in their tax digitization journeys.
One solution is to pay attention to evolving mandates and regulations everywhere you operate. The more freeing solution is to appoint a single tax compliance partner, like Sovos, to do the busy work for you.
Trusted by the world’s best companies, including half the Fortune 500, Sovos’ solutions provide global compliance through local expertise.
VAT Compliance in Germany: An Overview for Businesses
Tax compliance in Germany is fragmentary by nature and requires resources to ensure compliance. Consider that compliance for many German taxpayers requires meeting several mandates, and the fact that such regulations are updated often, and you understand the challenge taxpayers have to undertake. From VAT to IPT, multiple moving parts demand precious time and resources.
This page is your overview of all tax compliance obligations across Germany. To keep up with evolving requirements, be sure to bookmark and revisit frequently.
Germany VAT compliance can be resource-heavy to stay on top of due to the many requirements imposed on taxpayers. These include:
Periodic VAT return
Monthly 10th day of the month following the end of the tax period
Quarterly 10th day of the month following the end of the tax period
Annual VAT Return
Annual 31st May of the year following the reporting year
EU Sales and Purchases List
Monthly 25th day of the month following the end of the tax period (for goods once sales pass EUR 100,000 annually)
Quarterly
25th day of the month following the end of the tax period (for services and goods when sales are under EUR 100,000 annually)
Intrastat
Monthly 10th day of the month following the relevant month
VAT rates
19%
7%
0% and Exempt
Intrastat thresholds
Arrivals: EUR 800,000 Dispatches: EUR 500,000
VAT Rules in Germany
Germany e-invoicing
E-invoicing is on its way for all taxpayers in Germany, but complete coverage is not here just yet.
Electronic invoicing is currently divided by transaction type. While there are national and federal requirements for B2G transactions, electronic B2B invoices are still not mandated.
Taxpayers may find Germany’s e-invoicing scheme complicated due to its fragmented status, and the fact that more updates are coming. Our dedicated Germany e-invoicing page can help you to meet your compliance obligations.
Requirements to register for VAT in Germany
Companies established within the EU but outside of Germany typically do not have to register for VAT in the country. However, there are exceptions which would require a foreign business to have to register for VAT – including:
Buying and selling domestically without the goods leaving the country
Holding products in a German warehouse and selling to German customers
Importing into and selling goods in Germany from another EU Member State
Intra-community supplies (moving goods between Germany and other EU Member States)
Organising live events in Germany – whether for art, education or a conference
Selling via an electronic marketplace in Germany
More exceptions and other nuanced situations may require VAT registration in Germany. Contact us for more information.
IPT in Germany
Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) is another tax obligation in Germany to consider.
IPT in Germany is complex, providing numerous elements for insurers, brokers and other applicable parties to track – from rates to law changes. Just a handful of years ago, Germany underwent sweeping Insurance Tax Act reforms that caused uncertainty in the insurance market.
Put simply, Insurance Premium Tax is made up of five key elements. Together, the following determine the tax:
Import VAT, known as Einfuhrumsatzsteuer in Germany, is a unique form of VAT that foreign taxpayers must know. It is charged by the country’s customs authorities when goods are imported into Germany from countries outside the EU.
Companies established outside of EU Member States must pay import VAT in Germany, including when using ports in Bremen and Hamburg. However, foreign taxpayers oftentimes can apply for reimbursement of import VAT they have paid if they register in Germany.
Invoicing requirements in Germany
German VAT invoices have strict requirements to be legally valid. Required invoice contents include:
Issuance date
Unique invoice number
VAT identification number for the supplier
VAT rate(s), VAT amount(s), and total gross amount
Supplier and buyer full addresses
Description of the goods or services (plus quantities if supplying goods)
Total value of the invoice
Details in case of zero VAT, reverse charging, intra-community supply, etc
Registration for OSS in Germany
Cross-border trade in the EU for B2C transactions was simplified with the implementation of the One Stop Shop (OSS) scheme as part of the 2021 EU E-Commerce VAT Package.
To register for OSS in Germany, taxpayers must use the ELSTER.de portal. However, this requires an ELSTER certification, which is given to companies that have registered, paid VAT or submitted a tax return in Germany.
Devised to simplify EU VAT compliance, the VAT Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) consolidates your intra-EU activities into a single VAT return.
Businesses or their local representatives must submit an electronic application to the BZSt to register for IOSS in Germany. Taxpayers who pay VAT must also specify their VAT registration number.
Intrastat is an obligation for particular companies that trade internationally in the European Union. Specifically, it relates to the movement of goods across EU Member States.
Despite their being similar enforcements across the EU, Member States have chosen to implement Intrastat rules differently and they each have their own Intrastat threshold that triggers reporting. In Germany, there is a declaration threshold of EUR 800,000 for arrivals and EUR 500,000 for dispatches in 2024.
Germany issues VAT refunds monthly or quarterly, depending on the business’ filing frequency. The tax authorities transfer the refund to the bank account the business provided when it registered.
The standard VAT rate in Germany is 19%, applying to most goods and services. There’s a reduced rate of 7% for the likes of books, cultural services, medical and dental care.
The VAT registration threshold for taxpayers in Germany is EUR 10,000, providing they haven’t opted to pay VAT in Germany through the EU’s One Stop Shop scheme.
In Germany, VAT is due when the tax point occurs. It can be paid from the day after the end of the reporting period to the due date of the VAT return being paid.
Germany does not require companies outside the EU to appoint a fiscal representative for tax purposes. Businesses can choose whether to appoint a local representative or register directly with the appropriate tax office in Germany.
In Germany, the tax point determines when VAT is due. For goods, it is typically the time of delivery. For services, it is when the service is completed.
The tax office automatically sends a tax ID number to newly registered German addresses within three weeks of registration. It will come via mail; a duplicate can be obtained from the Finanzamt.
The delivery threshold in Germany is EUR 10,000. If a Germany-based supplier delivers goods to a customer in another European company under EUR 10,000, they will pay VAT in Germany as the threshold has not been reached.
How Sovos can help with VAT compliance in Germany
The fragmented aspect of tax compliance in Germany can be demanding on resources, especially when keeping current on future updates and implementations. Sovos is a single vendor with global and local tax expertise that allows you to future-proof your tax compliance.
Choosing Sovos as a partner means choosing to reclaim your time, allowing you to focus on what matters: growing your business.
Complete the form below to speak with one of our e-invoicing experts
Climate-related events are an issue that impacts all industries, and the insurance industry is certainly no exception.
Beyond the challenges that insurers face in assessing the likelihood of weather-related events and natural disasters, there are also difficulties affecting Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) as countries look at ways to ensure they can fund responses to the consequences of these events. Some of these are not direct IPT measures but inevitably impact IPT, whereas others are direct IPT-related measures.
A gradual shift towards mandatory natural catastrophe insurance?
Natural catastrophe coverage is often an optional add-on to property insurance. In some countries, however, that is not the case – such coverage is mandatory. France and Spain are examples of this, with regimes in place involving the Caisse Centrale de Réassurance (CCR) and Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros (CCS), respectively.
Against a background of increasing costs due to natural disasters, recent months have seen other European countries follow suit with similar laws or proposals. Italy, for example, passed a law in late 2023 which requires companies to take out insurance policies by the end of 2024 to cover natural disasters occurring in the country. The government has authorised an Italian insurer to provide reinsurance of such risks like CCR in France, up to certain limits.
Germany and Slovenia have also seen resolutions or proposals for similar laws. In Germany, the Federal Council has called on the government to introduce mandatory natural catastrophe insurance. This is in light of the insurance protection gap relating to such coverage of properties. It remains to be seen whether the government will act based on this.
The increasing costs of weather-related events have triggered Slovenia’s national programme for protecting against natural disasters in the coming years, and a discussion of mandatory state insurance was recommended.
Additional premium amounts paid for natural catastrophe insurance can be expected to attract IPT and any applicable parafiscal charges due in these countries.
Changes in IPT due to increasing costs of climate-related events
Weather-related events have also been cited as a reason for various premium taxation changes. In France, the additional premium rates due on risks which trigger natural catastrophe coverage (property and fire, as well as certain motor coverage) are increasing. Most notably, for property and fire risks, the premium rate is increasing from 12% to 20%. As IPT is due on this additional premium, this will significantly increase the IPT due on these policies.
Climate-related issues have had a major impact on levies used to fund emergency services due on property insurance in some states in Australia, specifically New South Wales and Tasmania. There is increasing pressure to reform the levies (with mixed success) due to the spiraling costs of responding to natural disasters. The levies result in huge increases to premium values, so the Insurance Council of Australia, amongst others, has urged the states to find a more sustainable way to fund emergency services.
Sovos actively monitors changes that impact IPT and is best positioned to advise if you have any IPT queries. Contact our experts today for more information.
This blog was last updated on 9 December 2025
The taxation of insurance premiums in Hungary is unique, both in terms of the technique used to calculate the tax and how it is governed.
Regarding calculating Insurance Premium Tax (IPT), Hungary is the only country in the EU where the regime uses the so-called sliding scale rate model. It applies to both IPT and the extra profit tax on insurance premium amounts (EPTIPT), also known as the supplemental insurance tax.
The insurance premium tax law (Act of 102/2012) includes the rules of IPT. However, this law can be amended by a government decree. Government Decree of 197/2022 regulates the EPTIPT. The Hungarian Tax Office has issued guidance about the rules of insurance premium taxation, and both IPT and EPTIPT are declared on the same return template.
What kind of taxes are applicable in Hungary on insurance premium amounts?
In Hungary, insurance premium tax (IPT) and extra profit tax (EPTIPT) are levied on the premium amounts collected by the insurance companies.
What are the IPT tax rates in Hungary?
In Hungary, it is almost impossible to determine the rate and amount of the insurance premium tax for a single policy, because IPT and EPTIPT are levied on the aggregated amount of the collected insurance premium.
The sliding scale regime considers:
The amount of the collected premium in the year preceding the reporting period (i.e. threshold)
The amount of the collected premium in the reporting month (i.e. scales)
For IPT, the threshold is HUF 20 billion since April 2024. It was HUF 8 billion prior to that. EPTIPT has no such taxable premium threshold.
For IPT, the scale is:
Under HUT 250 million (HUF 100 million prior to April 2024)
Over HUF 250 million but under HUF 1.75 million
Over HUF 1.75 million (HUF 700 million prior to April 2024)
For IPT, the only exception from the sliding scale regime is the Class 10 motor third party liability insurance (MTPL) premium. IPT on MTPL premium is calculated differently, hence MTPL premium amount is not part of the aggregated taxable premium. The tax rate for MTPL premium is 23%.
EPTIPT’s scale differs from those of the IPT. Although the EPTIPT computation for non-life and life policies differs, the same scales apply. The EPTIPT scale is (as of 01/01/2025):
Under HUF 48 billion
Over HUF 48 billion
The rates, as of 2025, are:
IPT: 10% and 15% for P&A policies and CASCO policies, respectively. These rates are reduced by 75% and 50% in the first two scales.
EPTIPT non-life policies: 3%, and 14% respectively.
EPTIPT life policies: 2% and 6% respectively.
What is the basis of Insurance Premium Tax Calculation in Hungary?
The taxable basis is the insurance premium. The insurance premium is defined by the IPT Law (point 1 article 7 of Act 102/2012) as:
“The gross premium accounted for by the insurer based on accounting regulations for insurance services, including values not accounted for as gross premiums but considered as the countervalue for insurance services as coverage for insurance services, excluding premium income received from reinsurance taken from another insurance company, which is accounted for as gross income.”
MTPL premium amounts should not be considered for IPT’s sliding scale. However, the premium collected for MTPL is included in the EPTIPT non-life aggregated premium amount.
Are life and sickness policies exempt from Hungarian IPT?
Life policies are exempt from IPT, but EPTIPT is payable on premium amounts collected by insurance companies from life policies.
Sickness insurance is exempt from both IPT and EPTIPT.
Another notable exemption is the premium amount collected on certain agricultural policies.
What are Insurance Premium Tax challenges in Hungary?
Currently, the biggest challenge in Hungarian Premium Taxation is the legal environment. The Constitution and the law on special measurements in case of catastrophic environments allow the government to amend tax rules – including IPT – via governmental decrees, instead of actually changing the relevant tax law.
For example, in 2022, a governmental decree introduced a new tax: the extra profit tax on insurance premium amounts (known as supplemental IPT or EPTIPT). In 2024, the government published another decree to change the applicable brackets of the sliding scale for the IPT regime.
The Act on Insurance Premium Tax No 102/2023 was not changed in either of these cases.
Sovos’ IPT Determination solution enables you to confidently calculate and apply IPT rates at quotation. Real-time tax updates ensure tax rates and tax applicability are always accurate.
Want to ease the burden on your tax teams? Sovos’ IPT Managed Services provides support from our team of local language regulatory specialists who monitor and interpret IPT regulations around the world, including in Hungary, so you don’t have to.
As the global e-invoicing landscape continues to shift and develop, our quarterly VAT Snapshot webinar brings you all the details on the key regulatory changes to watch.
Join Dilara Inal and Marta Sowinska from our Regulatory Analysis and Design team for a 30-minute update on the latest developments in e-invoicing regulations across Europe and beyond.
This session will cover:
Estonia: Encouraging the use of e-invoicing
Latvia: Upcoming mandatory B2B and B2G e-invoicing
Germany: Approval of mandatory B2B e-invoicing by the German Parliament, effective from 2025
Israel: Current status of the e-invoicing clearance mandate
Ever-changing Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) rules and regulations can be challenging to keep up with, so staying on top of the latest developments in IPT compliance is key.
Join our insightful webinar where Sovos’ IPT experts Edit Buliczka, James Brown and Jake Thorne will deep dive into the intricacies of remaining compliant in Hungary and discussing the current and the potential future impacts of the climate change to the IPT regulations across Europe and beyond.
Remaining current with the latest regulatory revisions in VAT reporting and SAF-T requirements in Poland. This webinar will deliver a comprehensive overview of recent changes to ensure you thoroughly understand the evolving compliance landscape. Gain valuable insights into essential strategies and best practices for preparing for VAT audits, mitigating risks and avoiding penalties.
