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Small Business Regulation: Who Qualifies and What You Get

Learn if you can avoid charging VAT on your invoices if your annual revenue stays below a certain limit.

The Small Business Regulation is a way for freelancers to simplify their tax obligations by being exempt from charging value-added tax (VAT) on their invoices.

Who it's for

This is designed for freelancers whose total annual revenue remains below €22,000.

What you get

If you qualify, you do not have to charge VAT on the invoices you send to your clients. This simplifies your bookkeeping and can make your services more affordable for private customers.

What it costs you

There is no direct fee, but you must officially declare your intent to use this status when you fill out your initial tax registration form.

The catch to know

While you don't have to charge VAT, you also cannot claim back the tax you pay on your own business expenses. This is known as the inability to deduct input tax.

How to apply

  1. Complete your initial tax registration form.
  2. Indicate that you wish to apply for this status on the form.
  3. Monitor your annual revenue to ensure it stays within the allowed limit.