German Tax Questions

[kenneth wolfe]

So I was wondering why do we have to pay German tax when dealing with a German dealer? I think if I remember right that if you buy something in Germany or from a German website the tax has to be included in the price of the item. So does anyone know of a way to recoup the money spent on German tax? I know living in Germay for 6 years I used certain forms provided by the US military to avoid paying this tax but is there another way? I think if we could figure this out it would defiantly help aliviate some of the difference in the exchange rate. For example:

1000 Euro (badge from a German dealer)
-190 Euro (19% which is included in price by German law)
-------
810 Euro

So you save 276 dollars on your purchase, give or take a little depending on the days current exchange rate. If we could figure this out it could greatly help some American pocket books.


Kenneth

[Hank C.]

Well, disregarding the fact this is posted in way the wrong forum, we pay it because the dealer has to pay it. The German tax authorities only see that they sold X item, and they want their 19%.

If we were tourists, we could fill out the "Tax Free for Tourist" forms at the airport. Or the military has tax relief forms, because we're non-permanent residents. But other buyers, well....too bad, so sad, the cost of doing business.

best
Hank

[heinrich66]

If i'm right, the 19% sales tax is nor used if the goods are exported to a land outside the EU.
But most dealers don't charge 19% on their goods because they use a tax law, created for used automobiles......

[Haraldur Axel]

If the seller is registered as a seller and has a VAT number (i dont know the german for VAT) he would be able to deduct the 19% from the price and wouldnt have to pay it. Most likely he would have to fill out a export form wich takes time if you are not used to it. So maybe they are just lazy.

Or they fill the export form and keep the 19% for themselfs.

I know if i import a car from Germany i can claim the 19% back, but it takes some time.

Haraldur

[heinrich66]

Haraldur,

you're right if buy a new car/good.

Price of new goods:
Sales Price (100%)+ 19% Sales tax = 119%

Used goods:
Bying price margin sales tax on the margin (19%)

100% 30% 5,7%

Most dealers state this on the site as "Differenzbesteuerung" and the sales tax inst clearly declared on their bills

[kenneth wolfe]

Hi

Hi heinrich66 and Haraldur,

If i'm right, the 19% sales tax is nor used if the goods are exported to a land outside the EU.
But most dealers don't charge 19% on their goods because they use a tax law, created for used automobiles

So here's my example if you look at Detlev's site or any other German site for that matter, the prices are the same for everyone, which means the tax is included because by German law all prices must include the Mehrsteuer (ADDITIONAL TAX) and I know for a fact that the price on the site is the price you pay.

If the seller is registered as a seller and has a VAT number (i dont know the german for VAT) he would be able to deduct the 19% from the price and wouldnt have to pay it. Most likely he would have to fill out a export form wich takes time if you are not used to it. So maybe they are just lazy

This is my point! I know there's away for the German dealers to help American customers out and they should be pressured into doing just that. We all could be saving money on our purchases.


Kenneth