The Austrian market offers besides its rather small population of 8 million a strong economy and a prospering perspective. If your sales to Austria pass the threshold limitations of if you are planning to store goods there, you must possess an Austrian VAT number. In the following, we will make sure to provide you with all information about the VAT number in Austria.
Antonia Klatt
Last Updated on 31 May 2022What is an Austrian VAT number?
An Austrian VAT number is also called VAT ID and is needed to sell legally in Austria. You will need to Austrian VAT number for many tasks, for example to rent storage facilities or to provide bills and invoices to Austrian customers. You will receive an Austrian VAT number once you have completed a VAT registration in Austria.
The VAT registration in Austria
Being a seller from abroad means you have to register for a VAT ID in Austria – for two principal reasons. Reason number one used to be the crossing of the annual Austrian delivery threshold of 35,000 EUR and reason number two is you storing goods in Austria.
VAT registration threshold in Austria
When you are selling from an EU country to Austria, the annual turnover can lead to VAT duties. Until recently, you passed the delivery threshold of Austria when your turnover reached 35,000 EUR within one yearr. You then had to obtain a VAT number in Austria and pay your tax there. In case your turnover did not pass 35,000 EUR you paid your product sales tax in your country. You can find out more about VAT thresholds in Austria here.
Country | Threshold Limit |
Austria | 35,000 EUR |
Update: On July 1st 2021 a new EU-wide threshold was introduced and set at 10,000 EUR. The new threshold replaced all country threshold and takes all intra-European sales into account. Sellers become liable for VAT in every country they are selling to once the combined revenue through cross-border transactions passes the threshold limit of 10,000 EUR.
Attention! Registry for a VAT number might take a while. In case you aim to pass the delivery threshold, make sure to apply for the Austrian VAT ID in time to avoid problems with the Austrian authorities.
Storage in Austria
If you plan to store goods in Austria, you must apply for an Austrian VAT number. If you are shipping to Austria as someone from abroad, you are shipping as an intra-community shipment and therefore you are not taxed. Still, you have to show prove by pro-forma invoices.
How hellotax can help you with an Austrian VAT number
If you are storing in Austria or crossing the EU-wide delivery threshold, you need to register for VAT in Austria and obtain an Austrian VAT number. Thanks to our team of local tax accountants, hellotax can take care of the applications in the national languages of several European countries and simply let you know once you have received your Austrian VAT number. We also take over all tasks that come with a VAT number, for example the regular submission of VAT returns in Austria. If you are interested in individual information and a way to automate VAT duties, don’t hesitate to contact us! Book a call today!
Book a free consultation
Our VAT experts are happy to help you. Book a free consultation today!
Number and format: the Austrian VAT number
The name of the VAT ID in Austria is “Umsatzsteuernummer” or short UID-Nummer or ATU-Nummer. It is fundamental for trade in Europe. The UID/ATU-Nummer consists of eleven characters. The first two characters are the country code “AT”. The country code is then followed by the letter “U” and eight digits, e.g. ATU12345678.
Format of the Austrian VAT ID: | |
Name | Umsatzsteuernummer |
Country Code | AT |
Format | AT + U + 8 digits |
Example | ATU12345678 |
How to apply for an Austrian VAT number
As soon as you reach or pass the threshold limit, you must apply for an Austrian VAT identification number. Be aware to apply on time to avoid problems with the Austrian tax authorities. The application takes several weeks.
To begin the application, you need to visit the website of the “Federal Ministry Republic of Austria Finance” or just click >here<.
You need to submit form U15 with all its information required. Unfortunately, form U15 only exists in German language, so make sure to understand all information well by hiring a translator or a representative. The Austrian Authorities will inform you about all further steps which needs to be taken to receive your VAT ID.
VAT registration is made easier by hellotax. Why you ask? Your registration assistant will guide you through the registration process step by step directly in the hellotax tax software. You will only need to submit your documents once. We translate them and reuse them for any registration necessary – now and in the future. Based on your transaction data we let you know when you need a new VAT registration, apply for it, and let you know once we have received a new VAT number. You’ll never miss a deadline. Furthermore our team of local tax accountants can take care of VAT duties in foreign EU countries and can replace local tax advisors in Austria and beyond. They also take care of VAT returns in Austria! Book a call with our VAT experts to find out more.
Book a free consultation
Our VAT experts are happy to help you. Book a free consultation today!
When do I have to file my VAT return in Austria?
The VAT return depends in Austria on your annual sales. In any case, as a VAT-registered company you have to file your VAT return annually. Depending on your turnover, you need to file your VAT return either monthly, quarterly or annually.
- Monthly: Turnover of over 100,000 EUR; the declaration needs to be filed until the 15th of the next month (e.g., February 15 for January, March 15 for February etc.)
- Quarterly: Turnover between 30,000 EUR and 100,000 EUR; the declaration needs to be filed until April 15 for the first quarter, July 15 for the second quarter etc.
- Annually: Turnover of less than 30,000 EUR; the declaration needs to be filed until April 30, or if submitted online until June 30
Finding an Austrian VAT ID
The European Commission developed a tool which can find any VAT number within the European Union. This program called VIES is useful if you plan to begin corporations with other companies. You can easily check their VAT IDs using VIES. This way, you make sure the companies you intend to cooperate with possess a legal registration. If this is not the case, your company might get into legal trouble as well.
Using VIES is not difficult. You visit the website VIES VAT number validation and type in the VAT ID you are looking for. If the ID is correct your result is displayed instantly. If the number is not correct, there are several reasons:
- The VAT number has not been processed yet
- The VAT number does not exist
- The VAT number has not been activated for transactions
If your VAT number is not displayed correctly or if an error is displayed, you can check with your local contact at the tax office. There is no reason to worry if your VAT identification number is not displayed after you submitted your application as this may take a little while to be activated.
Summary
If your sales hit or pass the delivery threshold or if you are storing goods in Austria, a VAT number is mandatory in Austria. You receive your VAT number by submitting the form U15 online. Schedule your application well to avoid problems reaching certain deadlines for your VAT registration number.
FAQs
You have to submit the form U15 online via the online portal of the local tax authorities or you get in touch with us and we take care of that.
You have to apply for an Austrian VAT ID if your sales pass the threshold delivery or if you intend to store goods in Austria. This is mandatory. Plan your application well, as it takes some time for the activation of your VAT number. Otherwise you might fall back in your business plans.
The VAT number in Austria consists of the country code (AT) followed “U” and by 9 digits, e.g. ATU123456789.