- Eligibility for Input Tax Deduction: Companies can reclaim the value-added tax (VAT) they paid on goods and services (input tax) under certain conditions, primarily if they engage in taxable transactions. Only entrepreneurs, including both natural and legal persons, are entitled to this deduction, while private individuals and certain exempt businesses are not.
- Requirements for Input Tax Deduction: To qualify for input tax deductions, companies must receive proper invoices that include specific mandatory information as outlined in the German VAT Act (UStG). Eligible goods and services range from operating resources and office supplies to consulting services and business travel expenses.
- Example of Input Tax Deduction: A furniture manufacturing company purchases a milling machine for €10,000 plus €1,900 VAT. By using the machine exclusively for VAT-subject activities, the company can deduct the €1,900 input tax from its VAT liability, thereby reducing the amount owed to the tax office when filing preliminary VAT returns.
Source Stripe
