You scale really quickly when selling on Amazon. Part of the scaling process is VAT, which you must pay when you hit £85,000 in sales.
It sounds like a lot of money, but that’s £7,000 of sales per month. At 20% Margin, that’s £1,400 monthly profit.
You should be hitting VAT thresholds if you’ve been selling on Amazon for more than 2 years. However, VAT can be really hard to understand and this article is to help you digest everthing about VAT for Amazon FBA sellers.
You are legally required to register for VAT when you exceed £85,000 in sales in a 12 month period.
As an Amazon FBA seller, it is important to understand whether or not you need to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) on your sales. VAT is a tax on goods and services that is added to the price of a product at each stage of production and distribution. The rules around VAT can be complex, and they vary depending on the country where you are selling your products.
If you are selling to customers in the European Union (EU), you may be required to register for VAT in the country where your customers are located. This is because the EU has a system of VAT that applies to all member states. As an FBA seller, you may also be required to pay VAT on the storage and handling fees charged by Amazon. However, the rules around VAT are constantly changing, so it is important to stay up to date with the latest regulations.
Understanding VAT for Amazon FBA Sellers
As an Amazon FBA seller, you may be wondering if you need to pay VAT. Understanding VAT is crucial for Amazon FBA sellers who want to sell their products in Europe. Here’s what you need to know.
What is VAT?
VAT stands for Value Added Tax. It is a tax that is added to the price of most products in Europe. The VAT system is different in each country, and the rates vary. In general, VAT is payable upon import, which means that as soon as you ship inventory to Europe, you must pay that country’s import VAT.
Who needs to register for VAT?
If you are an Amazon FBA seller and you are selling products in Europe, you may need to register for VAT. The rules around VAT registration vary by country, but in general, if you are selling goods to customers in a particular country, you may need to register for VAT in that country.
VAT Rates in Europe
VAT rates vary by country in Europe. In the UK, the standard VAT rate is 20%, while in Germany, it is 19%. Some products, such as food and books, have a reduced VAT rate, while others, such as luxury goods, have a higher rate.
Here is a table of the standard VAT rates in some European countries:
| Country | Standard VAT Rate |
|---|---|
| UK | 20% |
| Germany | 19% |
| France | 20% |
| Italy | 22% |
| Spain | 21% |
Conclusion
Understanding VAT is essential for Amazon FBA sellers who want to sell their products in Europe. If you are unsure about whether you need to register for VAT, it is best to consult with a tax professional. Remember that VAT rates vary by country, and you will need to keep track of the rates in each country where you are selling your products.
VAT Obligations for Amazon FBA Sellers
As an Amazon FBA seller, you may be required to pay VAT (Value Added Tax) on your sales. VAT is a tax on the value added to goods or services at each stage of production and distribution. It is a complex tax, and the rules can vary depending on where you are selling and where your goods are being stored.
VAT Registration
If you are an Amazon FBA seller, you may be required to register for VAT in the country where your goods are being stored. The rules on VAT registration vary by country, but in general, if your sales exceed the distance selling threshold in a country, you will be required to register for VAT.
Once you are registered for VAT, you will be issued a VAT number. You will need to include this number on all of your invoices, and you will be required to charge VAT on your sales.
VAT Returns
As a registered VAT seller, you will be required to submit regular VAT returns. The frequency of these returns will depend on the rules in the country where you are registered.
In general, you will be required to submit a VAT return every quarter. This return will show the amount of VAT you have charged on your sales, as well as the amount of VAT you have paid on your purchases.
VAT Calculation
Calculating VAT can be a complex process, especially if you are selling in multiple countries. In general, you will be required to charge VAT at the rate applicable in the country where your goods are being stored.
For example, if you are selling in the UK, you will be required to charge VAT at a rate of 20%. If you are selling in Germany, you will be required to charge VAT at a rate of 19%.
Amazon charges a fee for its FBA service, and this fee is subject to VAT. This means that you will need to include the FBA fee in your VAT calculations.
In conclusion, as an Amazon FBA seller, you may be required to pay VAT on your sales. The rules on VAT can be complex, and it is important to understand your obligations as a seller. By registering for VAT, submitting regular VAT returns, and correctly calculating VAT, you can ensure that you comply with the rules and avoid any problems with the tax authorities.
Understanding Sales Tax for Amazon FBA Sellers
As an Amazon FBA seller, it is important to understand sales tax and how it applies to your business. This section will cover the basics of sales tax, including US sales tax and sales tax in Canada.
What is Sales Tax?
Sales tax is a tax on goods and services that is collected by the seller and remitted to the appropriate tax jurisdiction. The sales tax rate is determined by the state, city, and county where the item is being sold and shipped from. Sales tax is not a federal government tax, but rather a state and local tax.
US Sales Tax
In the United States, sales tax laws vary by state. As an Amazon FBA seller, you are responsible for collecting and remitting sales tax on orders shipped to states where you have a sales tax obligation. To determine your sales tax obligations, you will need to consider the tax jurisdictions in which you have a physical presence or nexus.
Amazon provides a tool called the Marketplace Tax Collection (MTC) program, which allows sellers to use Amazon to calculate, collect, and remit sales tax on orders shipped to customers in certain states. However, it is important to note that the MTC program does not cover all states with a sales tax.
Sales Tax in Canada
In Canada, sales tax is known as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) or Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). As an Amazon FBA seller, you are responsible for collecting and remitting GST/HST on orders shipped to customers in Canada.
To register for a GST/HST account, you will need to obtain a Business Number (BN) and a GST/HST account number. You will also need to provide a GST/HST registration number to Amazon in your seller account.
Amazon offers a service called the GST/HST Calculation Service, which allows sellers to use Amazon to calculate, collect, and remit GST/HST on orders shipped to customers in Canada.
In summary, understanding sales tax is essential for Amazon FBA sellers. It is important to be aware of your tax obligations and to use the tools and resources provided by Amazon to ensure that you are collecting and remitting sales tax correctly.
Pan-European FBA and VAT Compliance
What is Pan-European FBA?
Pan-European FBA is a service provided by Amazon that allows sellers to store their inventory in Amazon’s fulfilment centres across Europe. This service enables sellers to reach customers in multiple European countries with ease. When using Pan-European FBA, sellers must comply with VAT regulations in each country where their inventory is stored.
VAT Compliance for Pan-European FBA
As an Amazon FBA seller using Pan-European FBA, you must comply with VAT regulations in each country where your inventory is stored. This means that you may need to register for VAT in each country and file VAT returns regularly.
To ensure VAT compliance, you must obtain a VAT number in each country where your inventory is stored. Additionally, you must keep accurate records of all transactions and report them in a Recapitulative Statement.
It’s important to note that if your sales exceed the threshold set by each country’s Federal Statistical Office, you may be required to register for VAT even if you are not storing inventory in that country.
In summary, if you are an Amazon FBA seller using Pan-European FBA, you must comply with VAT regulations in each country where your inventory is stored. This includes obtaining a VAT number, filing VAT returns, keeping accurate records, and reporting transactions in a Recapitulative Statement.
Amazon Advertising and VAT
As an Amazon FBA seller, it’s important to understand how VAT applies to your advertising fees. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Amazon Ads and VAT
In general, if you’re an advertiser on Amazon and you haven’t provided Amazon with a valid VAT registration number, you may be subject to VAT on your advertising fees. This is especially true if you’re established in a country that has introduced ESS or remote services rules.
For example, if you’re an Amazon FBA seller in the UK and you’re advertising your products on Amazon, you may be subject to VAT on your advertising fees if you haven’t provided Amazon with a valid VAT registration number.
VAT on Product Listings
When it comes to product listings, it’s important to note that VAT is payable upon import. This means that if you’re shipping inventory to Europe, you must pay that country’s import VAT.
For example, if you’re an Amazon FBA seller in the US and you’re shipping inventory to a fulfillment center in Europe, you must pay that country’s import VAT.
It’s also worth noting that Amazon may charge VAT on certain product categories. For example, in the UK, VAT is charged on digital books, but not on physical books.
Conclusion
In summary, as an Amazon FBA seller, it’s important to understand how VAT applies to your advertising fees and product listings. By providing Amazon with a valid VAT registration number and staying up-to-date on VAT regulations, you can ensure that you’re meeting your VAT obligations and avoiding any unnecessary fees or penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register for VAT as an Amazon FBA seller?
Yes, if you are an Amazon FBA seller and your sales to customers in the UK exceed the VAT registration threshold, which is currently £85,000, you must register for VAT with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).
How do I calculate VAT on my Amazon FBA sales?
Amazon calculates VAT on your behalf for sales made through the Amazon Marketplace. You can view your VAT transactions in your Seller Central account. If you are using Amazon’s FBA service, Amazon will also calculate and collect VAT on your behalf for orders fulfilled by Amazon.
What are the VAT rules for Amazon FBA sellers in the UK?
Amazon FBA sellers in the UK must charge VAT on their sales to UK customers at the standard rate of 20% unless the item is zero-rated or exempt from VAT. If you are selling to customers in the EU, you may also need to register for VAT in the country where the customer is located.
Do I need to pay VAT on my Amazon seller fees?
Yes, if you are registered for VAT, you must pay VAT on your Amazon seller fees. Amazon will automatically charge you VAT on your seller fees and will provide you with a VAT invoice.
Is there a VAT exemption for Amazon FBA sellers?
There is no VAT exemption for Amazon FBA sellers. If you are an Amazon FBA seller and your sales exceed the VAT registration threshold, you must register for VAT and charge VAT on your sales.
Does Amazon collect VAT on behalf of its FBA sellers in the UK?
Yes, Amazon collects and remits VAT on behalf of its FBA sellers in the UK for orders fulfilled by Amazon. However, you are still responsible for registering for VAT and charging VAT on your sales if your sales exceed the VAT registration threshold.
