WooCommerce EU VAT Assistant

Selling to EU consumers from a WooCommerce store often ends in a hand-made spreadsheet: each country's VAT, proof of where the customer lives, business VAT numbers and currency conversion for the return. One poorly documented order is enough to complicate the quarter.

The underlying problem: your store doesn't know where the customer lives

Under the rules in force since 2015, digital goods sold to EU consumers are taxed at the VAT rate of the country where the customer resides, wherever you are. Many stores think their problem is the VAT rate. It isn't: the problem is being able to prove, order by order, that you applied the right one. WooCommerce EU VAT Assistant is designed for that.

One order from start to finish with WooCommerce EU VAT Assistant

Imagine you sell a digital product and an order arrives from another EU country. Here is what happens:

• Location: the plugin automatically detects where the customer is, which already provides one of the accepted pieces of evidence.
• Second piece of evidence: the rules require at least two pieces that don't contradict each other. If there isn't enough evidence, the plugin lets you ask the customer for a self-certification of their location.
• VAT rate: the rates for all EU countries load by themselves into the WooCommerce tax settings, and the VAT amount is saved on every order.
• Business customer: if they buy with a VAT number, it is validated against the European Commission's official VIES service and, where appropriate, the exemption is applied.
• Record: the evidence is saved automatically with each new order from the moment you activate the plugin.

You sell in one currency and file in another

You can sell in any currency you like and define a different VAT currency for reports. The plugin converts the amounts and updates exchange rates automatically from providers such as the European Central Bank, the UK's HM Revenue and Customs service, the Danish National Bank or Bitpay. The Irish Revenue option is listed as experimental, so don't rely on it without checking it first.

The reports: what you take to your accountant

It includes VAT MOSS, domestic VAT, INTRASTAT and VIES reports. They help you prepare your returns, but filing is still up to you or your advisor: the plugin gathers data, it doesn't file anything with the tax authority. It also offers no legal guarantee of compliance, and you will need to review the data before filing.

Limits to know before installing it

• It is a discontinued plugin: active development ended in 2022, so don't expect new features.
• It needs the Aelia Foundation Classes framework, plus WooCommerce and PHP.
• It includes a function to integrate with PDF invoice plugins, such as PDF Invoices and Packing Slips, but customising invoices or connecting it to other plugins requires separate development.
• It is compatible with WooCommerce Subscriptions.

Frequently asked questions

Does it validate business VAT numbers?

Yes, through the official VIES service, and it applies the exemption when appropriate.

Can I sell in euros and file in another currency?

Yes. You choose a VAT currency for reports and the plugin converts the amounts using automatically updated exchange rates.

Does it guarantee that I comply with the regulations?

No. It helps you collect the evidence and the data, but reviewing them and filing returns on time is your responsibility.

Is it useful for a store in a non-EU country?

The VAT rules also affect sellers outside the EU who sell to European consumers, and the plugin is designed for that case.