Case Study: Leaving the OSS Scheme — How a German Retailer Managed Multi-Country VAT Compliance

When a German e-commerce retailer faced leaving the OSS scheme, they suddenly had to manage VAT obligations across nine EU countries. Discover how hellotax handled their registrations, filings, and ongoing compliance seamlessly.

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The Client: A German Retailer Expanding Beyond OSS

A mid-sized e-commerce company based in Germany, known for selling motorcycle parts and accessories across Europe, had been managing EU-wide B2C sales under the OSS scheme.
When the company became ineligible for OSS, it had to transition to local VAT compliance in nine EU countries: Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden.

To continue selling across these markets, they needed a quick and reliable solution for multi-country VAT registration and filing.

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The Challenge: Leaving the OSS Scheme and Staying Compliant

Leaving the OSS scheme meant the company could no longer declare EU-wide B2C sales through a single quarterly return from Germany. Instead, it had to:

• Register for VAT in each country where sales took place.

• File periodic VAT returns (monthly or quarterly) per country.

• Handle local language requirements and translation of documents.

• Communicate with multiple EU tax authorities.

• Avoid penalties or delayed filings during the transition period.

The finance team also needed a solution that combined local tax expertise with centralized control — something their previous provider could not deliver.

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The Solution: hellotax Multi-Country VAT Compliance Setup

hellotax stepped in with a nine-country VAT compliance plan, tailored for businesses leaving the OSS scheme and needing fast registration and filing coverage.

1) Multi-Country Registration Management

• Coordinated registrations in Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden.

• Provided certified translations where required (e.g., Spain, Czech Republic, Poland).

• Managed all communication with local tax offices.

2) Unified Compliance Framework

• Integrated all countries into one hellotax dashboard for real-time status tracking.

• Assigned a dedicated account manager to oversee filings and correspondence.

• Set up Tax Letter Inbox to automatically receive, translate, and archive local tax letters.

3) Filing & Reporting

• Automated monthly and quarterly VAT returns in all nine jurisdictions.

• Prepared EC Sales Lists and Intrastat reports where applicable.

• Ensured backdating compliance to cover any sales during the OSS transition.

4) Continuous Support & Monitoring

• Monitored VAT rule changes and reporting frequency per country.

• Coordinated with local authorities during validation of registrations.

• Provided three hours of annual accounting advice for cross-border optimization.

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The Results: Full Compliance and Streamlined Operations

Thanks to hellotax, the company:
✅ Completed VAT registrations in nine EU countries without delays.
✅ Avoided penalties from late filings during the OSS transition.
✅ Centralized compliance management under one dashboard.
✅ Maintained uninterrupted Amazon and webshop sales across Europe.
✅ Gained visibility and control over all VAT obligations — without internal expansion.

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Why Leaving the OSS Scheme Requires a Local VAT Strategy

When a business leaves the OSS scheme, all B2C sales in other EU countries must be reported locally.
This often means dealing with multiple tax authorities, filings in local languages, and stricter audit checks.
A structured approach with a partner like hellotax ensures sellers stay compliant without administrative overload.

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For sellers preparing to leave OSS or managing multiple fulfilment models, our detailed guide explains how to plan and register efficiently:
👉 Read more: What Happens When You Leave the OSS Scheme

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For practical guidance on handling local VAT filings, thresholds, and translation requirements per country, see:
👉 EU VAT Registration and Filings Explained

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To better understand how OSS and local VAT reporting can coexist in hybrid models, explore:
👉 Pan-EU VAT Compliance for Dropshippers

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External reference:
For official information about OSS deregistration and obligations, consult the European Commission’s OSS guidance page.

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Key Services Used

• Multi-country VAT registration and filings

• Local representation and translation management

• Tax Letter Inbox and real-time dashboard

• EC Sales Lists & Intrastat reports

• Dedicated account management and accounting support

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Lessons Learned for Sellers Leaving the OSS Scheme

• Plan your transition before the OSS deregistration date.

• Identify every country where VAT registration will be required.

• Prepare translated documentation in advance for complex markets.

• Keep all correspondence and filings centralized under one system.

• Work with a provider that combines automation with local expertise.

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📣 Need help managing VAT after leaving the OSS scheme?
hellotax handles VAT registrations, filings, and audits across the EU — so you can keep selling without worrying about compliance.
👉 Book a free consultation and get your personalized multi-country VAT plan.