Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 16 JUNE 2003

VAT and E-Commerce: Countdown to 1st July 2003

United KingdomStrategy

Most E-Commerce businesses should now be aware that the scope of the VAT charge on digital products will be radically extended from 1st July 2003 when the EU Directive on VAT and E-Commerce comes into force. In this bulletin we explain the key steps which businesses must take before 1st July.

Key points

  • Supplies of digital products by non-EU businesses to EU private customers will become subject to VAT for the first time.
  • Non-EU businesses affected by this change need to ensure that, by 1st July 2003, they are registered for VAT in each EU member state in which they have customers (subject to certain minimum turnover thresholds). They must then account for VAT at the rate which applies in each state and submit regular VAT returns to the tax authorities of each state.
  • We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

    See more popular content from