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Certified Tax Advisory Firm in Germany

German VAT Compliance Made Simple.

Certified German tax advisors (Steuerberater) handling VAT registration and ongoing compliance for foreign businesses with no permanent establishment in Germany – fully digital, fully compliant.

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Operated by MajTax Steuerberatungsgesellschaft mbH, Hamburg Registered with the Steuerberaterkammer Hamburg · Anerkennung 02.12.2022 Verify in official registry
Who this is for

Do You Need to Register for German VAT?

If your foreign business operates in Germany without a permanent establishment (Betriebsstätte) and without employing staff in Germany, you may still be required to register for VAT.

Take Our Quick Assessment

2 minutes · free · reviewed by certified German tax advisors

Typical cases

When Does German VAT Registration Apply?

The following business activities by foreign companies without a permanent establishment in Germany may trigger a VAT registration obligation.

  • 01

    E-Commerce & Online Retail

    Amazon FBA, Dropshipping, Print on Demand – selling goods stored in or shipped from Germany to end consumers.

  • 02

    Trading – Import, Export & Wholesale

    Importing goods into Germany, exporting from Germany, or buying and reselling goods within Germany outside of online retail.

  • 03

    Construction & Installation

    Foreign contractors, installers or subcontractors performing construction or assembly work on German soil.

  • 04

    Mobility & Transport

    Long-distance passenger transport, short-term vehicle rental, or long-term B2C vehicle leasing within Germany.

  • 05

    Events

    Foreign businesses organizing or participating in trade fairs, exhibitions, concerts or other events in Germany.

  • 06

    Catering

    Providing food and beverage services at events, venues or locations in Germany.

  • 07

    Software & Electronic Services (B2C)

    SaaS, apps, streaming, e-books or other electronically supplied services sold directly to German consumers.

  • ?

    Not sure which case applies?

    Our questionnaire will determine your specific case.

    Take the Assessment
The platform

Your German VAT in One Portal – Not in Your Inbox

Every client gets access to the German-VAT.com portal: deadlines, filings, letters from the tax office and your tax advisor in one place.

01 / 04

Automatic deadline reminders – before it gets tight

The portal creates every VAT return and EC Sales List for you and calculates the due date, including the permanent extension (Dauerfristverlängerung).

  • E-mail reminders 7, 5 and 2 days before each deadline
  • Only as long as something is still open on your side
  • Sent to every member of your team
02 / 04

Monthly close in three steps: record, review, done

Enter your figures or upload your Amazon VAT report. You see the resulting VAT before anything is filed; we review and submit via ELSTER.

  • Amazon VAT transaction reports are read automatically
  • You confirm the figures – we file
  • Every filing and its status stays documented
03 / 04

Letters from the Finanzamt, scanned into your portal

We are your authorised recipient in Germany. Official mail is scanned, filed with your case, and you are notified by e-mail.

  • No German letterbox needed
  • Tax number and VAT ID letters arrive digitally
  • Nothing gets lost in the post
04 / 04

Your tax advisor is one message away

Ask questions in the chat, in English. Answers come from the certified German tax advisory firm that files your returns – documented with your case.

  • No call centre, no ticket numbers
  • Your whole team can follow the conversation
  • Status of registration and filings always visible

Screens show example data.

Services

Complete VAT Compliance Services

Exclusively for foreign businesses without a permanent establishment or employees in Germany – from VAT registration to ongoing filings and construction tax exemption.

01

VAT Registration

Get your German VAT ID (USt-IdNr.) & Tax Number. Fast, professional registration with the Finanzamt.

02

VAT Returns

Monthly & quarterly VAT declarations (Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung) plus annual returns via ELSTER.

03

EC Sales Lists

Zusammenfassende Meldung (ZM) – mandatory reporting for intra-EU B2B transactions.

04

One-Stop-Shop (OSS)

OSS registration in Germany and quarterly OSS returns for your sales to consumers in other EU countries.

05

Construction Tax Exemption

Freistellungsbescheinigung (Bauabzugsteuer) – avoid the 15% withholding tax deduction.

Read the guide
06

Tax Office Correspondence

Official Empfangsbevollmächtigter – we handle all correspondence with German tax authorities.

07

Postal Service

Receive, scan and forward official tax mail. Digital notifications so you never miss a deadline.

08

Personal Tax Advisory

Individual consultation from a certified Steuerberater for complex cases, audits & restructuring.

Pricing

Transparent Pricing – No Hidden Fees

Simple, predictable pricing for complete VAT compliance. No surprises.

One-time fee

VAT Registration

€300 net
  • Complete registration process
  • German VAT ID (USt-IdNr.)
  • German Tax Number (Steuernummer)
  • Direct Finanzamt communication
  • OSS registration (if applicable)
Get Started
One-time fee

OSS Registration

Included at no extra charge if we handle your German VAT registration.

€150 net
  • One-Stop-Shop (OSS) registration in Germany
  • For your sales to consumers in other EU countries
  • Filed with the Federal Central Tax Office (BZSt)
  • Quarterly OSS returns are part of the monthly flat rate
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Monthly flat rate

Complete Compliance

All-inclusive for ongoing compliance – no limits. VAT registration is a separate one-time fee.

€90 /month net
  • Unlimited VAT returns (monthly/quarterly/annual)
  • EC Sales Lists (ZM)
  • OSS returns (if you are registered for OSS in Germany)
  • Tax office correspondence (Empfangsbevollmächtigter)
  • Postal service with tax authorities
  • Client portal with automatic deadline reminders
  • Email support
  • Deadline management
Get Started
One-time fee

Construction Tax Exemption

€200 net
  • Freistellungsbescheinigung application
  • Bauabzugsteuer exemption (avoid 15% withholding)
  • For foreign construction companies
  • Direct Finanzamt communication
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As needed

Personal Tax Advisory

€150 /hour net
  • 1-on-1 with certified Steuerberater
  • Complex tax questions
  • Audit support & defense
  • Strategic tax planning
Get Started

VAT registration and ongoing compliance are separate services: €300 once for the registration, €90 per month for ongoing compliance. The OSS registration (€150) is included if we handle your VAT registration. All prices are net (plus applicable German VAT). Monthly flat rate includes all standard compliance services – no limits, no surprises.

How it works

Get Started in 3 Simple Steps

From assessment to full compliance – we make it effortless.

Start Assessment Now
  1. Step 1

    Assessment

    Complete our quick questionnaire to determine if you need German VAT registration.

  2. Step 2

    Registration

    We handle the entire registration process with the German authorities. You receive your VAT ID & Tax Number.

  3. Step 3

    Stay Compliant

    Automated monthly service. All VAT filings handled professionally. We handle all tax office correspondence.

Why German-VAT.com?

We combine certified German tax expertise with a modern, fully digital experience.

Verify in official registry

  • Certified in Germany

    Licensed Steuerberatungsgesellschaft with direct authority at the Finanzamt. Full legal backing.

  • 100% Digital

    No paperwork, no office visits. Secure online platform with real-time status updates.

  • International Experts

    Specialized in foreign entrepreneurs. English-speaking team with multi-industry experience.

  • Fast & Efficient

    Quick VAT registration. Automated compliance workflows. Proactive deadline management.

  • Flat-Rate Pricing

    No surprises, no hidden fees. Predictable monthly costs with unlimited filings included.

  • 100% Compliant

    Stay audit-proof with professional representation. Peace of mind guaranteed.

Guides

German VAT, Explained in Plain English

Written and maintained by our licensed German tax advisory firm.

All guides

E-commerce: the complete case catalogue

Own shop, marketplaces, Amazon FBA and Pan-EU, imports up to and above €150, IOSS, dropshipping with German suppliers – 40 cases that show when a foreign online seller needs a German VAT registration.

Read the guide

Construction: VAT and withholding tax explained

Reverse charge for foreign subcontractors, when a German VAT registration is needed anyway, the 15% construction withholding tax, the exemption certificate and the refund – with the ten most common subcontractor constellations.

Read the guide

Freistellungsbescheinigung (15% construction withholding tax)

German clients must withhold 15% of every construction invoice (Bauabzugsteuer, § 48 EStG) unless the contractor presents a Freistellungsbescheinigung. How foreign companies get the exemption certificate.

Read the guide

More guides: How long does German VAT registration take?German VAT ID (USt-IdNr.) vs. Steuernummer

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Your question is not listed? Write to info@majtax.de or take the free assessment.

Do I need a German address or office?
No. Our service is specifically designed for foreign businesses with no permanent establishment and no employees in Germany. We act as your authorised recipient (Empfangsbevollmächtigter) for correspondence with the tax office, so you don't need a physical presence, office, or address in Germany.
How long does VAT registration take?
Typically 4–8 weeks, depending on the responsible Finanzamt and the completeness of your documents. We proactively follow up to minimize delays.
What documents do I need?
Typically: company registration documents (e.g. certificate of incorporation), ID of the director/shareholder, a brief description of your business activities in Germany, and your home country VAT certificate (if available).
What's included in the €90 monthly flat rate?
Everything for ongoing compliance: unlimited VAT returns (monthly, quarterly, and annual), EC Sales Lists (ZM), OSS filing, tax office correspondence as your Empfangsbevollmächtigter (authorised recipient), postal service with tax authorities, email support, and proactive deadline management. No limits, no surprises.
What is a German VAT ID (USt-IdNr.)?
The USt-IdNr. (Umsatzsteuer-Identifikationsnummer) is your EU VAT identification number for Germany. It always starts with "DE" followed by 9 digits (e.g. DE123456789). It's required for intra-EU transactions and proves your VAT registration in Germany.
Do I need a Freistellungsbescheinigung?
If you're a foreign construction company working in Germany, then yes – without this certificate your German clients must withhold 15% of your invoice amount. We handle the application process for you.
Can you handle OSS registrations?
Yes. We register you for the One-Stop-Shop (OSS) in Germany for a one-time fee of €150 – included if we also handle your German VAT registration. The quarterly OSS returns are part of the monthly flat rate. We do not offer IOSS (Import One-Stop-Shop).
What if I get audited by the Finanzamt?
We represent you fully and handle all communication with the tax authorities. For complex audit situations, additional advisory hours may apply at our standard hourly rate.
Who is this service for?
Our services are exclusively for foreign businesses that do not have a permanent establishment (Betriebsstätte) in Germany and do not employ staff in Germany. We handle VAT registration for all industries – e-commerce, trading, construction, mobility, events, catering, digital services, and more. Our questionnaire will determine if your specific case requires registration.

Ready to Get Your German VAT ID?

Foreign business operating in Germany without a permanent establishment? Let our certified tax advisors handle your VAT compliance. 100% digital. 100% compliant. Fixed monthly rate.

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