What deadlines apply for the submission of the advance VAT return?
November 10, 2023 | 40,00 EUR | answered by Günther Hering
Dear tax advisor,
I am Jens Ehlert, the owner of a small online shop where I sell handcrafted furniture. I recently registered my business and am now a bit unsure about the deadlines for submitting the advance VAT return. I have heard that there are specific deadlines that must be met to avoid fines.
I am not very experienced in the area of value added tax at the moment and want to make sure that I do everything correctly to avoid any problems with the tax office. I have already read that the advance VAT return can be submitted monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on the turnover and other factors.
My concern now is that I may not be able to correctly adhere to the deadlines for submitting the advance VAT return and could get into trouble as a result. Therefore, I would like to know from you what specific deadlines apply to me as a small online shop operator and how I can ensure that I meet these deadlines.
Can you please explain to me what deadlines apply for submitting the advance VAT return and how I can best proceed to meet these deadlines? Thank you in advance for your help.
Sincerely,
Jens Ehlert
Dear Mr. Ehlert,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the deadlines for submitting the advance turnover tax return as the owner of a small online shop selling handcrafted furniture. It is understandable that you are unsure and want to make sure that you are doing everything correctly to avoid potential issues with the tax office.
The deadlines for submitting the advance turnover tax return actually depend on various factors, including the amount of turnover and the type of turnover tax liability. Basically, there are three different reporting periods: monthly, quarterly, and annually.
As a small business owner with an annual turnover of less than 22,000 euros (or 50,000 euros for small businesses within the meaning of § 19 UStG), you have the option to submit the advance turnover tax return annually. In this case, you must submit the advance turnover tax return to the tax office by July 31 of the following year.
If your annual turnover exceeds 22,000 euros, you must submit the advance turnover tax return either monthly or quarterly. The monthly advance turnover tax return is due by the 10th of the following month, while the quarterly advance turnover tax return must be submitted by the 10th of the following month after the end of the quarter.
To ensure that you comply with the deadlines for submitting the advance turnover tax return correctly, it is advisable to maintain a good accounting system that automatically captures and processes the required data. You can also hire a tax advisor to assist you in meeting the deadlines and correctly submitting the advance turnover tax return.
In summary, as a small business owner with low turnover, you can submit the advance turnover tax return annually, while a higher turnover requires monthly or quarterly submission. Be mindful of the respective deadlines and always keep your accounting up to date to avoid any issues with the tax office.
I hope this information is helpful to you and I am available for any further questions.
Best regards,
Günther Hering
