Eu VAT on Online video cast from the USA?

dubscottie · 06-09-2014 12:29AM #1

paid $129 on a video broadcast from an american website - all legitimate but had an "EU VAT" charge of $25.80 added on at the checkout stage, which I paid as I wanted the broadcast, however I've never encountered this EU VAT charge before.

Is this normal or am I getting ripped off?

ElNino · 08-09-2014 01:16PM

It is normal for non-EU companies that sell goods and services into the EU which are above certain thresholds to have to charge VAT at the prevailing VAT rates in that particular EU country. However in your case you were charged 20% VAT which is the UK rate instead of the Irish rate of 23%. This means that your VAT is probably going to the UK Exchequer instead of the Irish Government. You could query this with the company but you will probably end up being charged 3% more VAT.

Yggr of Asgard · 08-09-2014 05:25PM

If you fear that this was not done correctly, you can ask them for the VAT ID and validate that it's a valid one.

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/

But ElNino is correct, if they sell over a certain amount (or do the billing via their european subsidary for example) they will charge you VAT according to their location.

Eu VAT on Online video cast from the USA?

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