[Sytten]

Does Europe really need to have the VAT? Usually here (Canada) you give it if you want to tell the business selling you something not to charge you sale tax. If you dont, you just claim the sales taxes at the end or the fiscal year instead.

[eqvinox]

Reclaiming VAT across borders, even within the EU, is incredibly annoying (at least last I checked - and AFAIK it can be flat out impossible too.) It's still an "export" for VAT purposes, so it's functionally akin to speaking to a customs agent on leaving the country of sale.

[janosdebugs]

Why would you need to reclaim VAT? If you are a business and have a VAT ID, the seller should invoice you with 0% if it's a cross border sale and you need to report it to your government (reverse charge).

[eqvinox]

Dude did you read the original article at all? The entire point is that they don't want to accept the VAT ID.

[janosdebugs]

I did, and I'm wondering if you can reclaim VAT cross-border at all if you didn't get a 0% invoice in the first place.