- Increase in VAT Filing Threshold: Effective January 1, 2025, the threshold for quarterly VAT return filing is raised from EUR 7,500 to EUR 9,000 in annual VAT liability, allowing more businesses to file quarterly instead of monthly.
- Reduction of Record-Keeping Period: The retention period for accounting documents is reduced from 10 years to 8 years, simplifying compliance for businesses. This change is reflected in Section 14b of the VAT Act and will take effect from January 1, 2025.
- Fourth Bureaucracy Reduction Act: Published on October 29, 2024, this act aims to reduce bureaucratic burdens on citizens, businesses, and the administration by introducing several amendments, including the VAT filing threshold increase and record-keeping period reduction.
- VAT Special Measure Extension: The Council of the EU granted Germany a two-year extension for the domestic reverse charge mechanism on Emission Allowances, now effective until December 31, 2026. Germany must report to the European Commission by March 31, 2026, if it wishes to extend this measure further.
- Impact on Businesses: These changes, including increased filing thresholds and reduced document retention periods, aim to ease administrative burdens, improve compliance, and reduce the risk of VAT fraud, ultimately benefiting German businesses.
Source Taxbackinternational
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