eBay UK is inviting sellers to take part in a trial it’s running designed to make dealing with VAT easier. Value Added Tax is imposed on most goods and services in the UK. On eBay’s help page, the company explains: “If you sell goods in any EU country or in the UK, you may be required to register for Value Added Tax (VAT) and to collect VAT on your sales. If you are a non-UK or non-EU seller with goods in the UK or EU, or you sell goods into the UK or EU, eBay will account for VAT under certain circumstances.”
eBay UK announced on Monday it is launching a trial program for sellers who can apply to participate:
“We’re excited to introduce easier invoicing, enabling sellers to automatically download VAT invoices, while providing buyers with easily accessible VAT receipts. By allowing buyers to self-serve, we hope this will help to reduce the number of requests received by sellers, while making it easier to maintain your accounting records.
“Please note that, as this trial is rolled out, it will only be available by request until further notice.”
Under the trial program, eBay generates VAT invoices on sellers’ behalf. Importantly, VAT invoices/receipts become downloadable in the ‘View order details’ page, and buyers and sellers can download VAT invoices/receipts for their records (for up to 18 months from the date of purchase or credit).
Those interested in enrolling in the program as it rolls out in trial mode can learn more by reading the announcement on the eBay UK Seller Announcement board.