TL;DR: you can submit Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung and other declarations without an Elster certificate.
If you're running a business or freelancing in Germany, you're probably familiar with the Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung (advance VAT filing). Typically, this process involves Elster and its cumbersome electronic certificates. But what if you could easily submit your Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung without ever touching Elster? The good news is, there's a straightforward way to do that—with Norman (or other accounting/tax software).
What is Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung (UStVA)?
The Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung (UStVA) is a periodic report that businesses must submit to their local Finanzamt, detailing the VAT collected and paid. Its primary purpose is to help you manage your VAT payments throughout the year, preventing a significant financial burden when submitting your annual tax declaration.
When and How Often?
The filing schedule depends on your VAT turnover:
Reporting frequency | VAT liability last year |
|---|---|
Monthly | 9.000 € + |
Quarterly | 2.000 € – 9.000 € |
Annual | Under 2.000 € |
Each report is due on the 10th day of the following month. Weekends and public holidays shift the due date to the next working day. You can apply for an extension ("Dauerfristverlängerung") to gain more breathing room, extending your deadline by one month. However, you'll need to pay a special advance payment ("Sondervorauszahlung").
Traditional Method: Elster and Its Drawbacks
Elster is the official platform from the German tax authorities to handle VAT and all other tax returns. It's free to use and supports all tax declarations an entrepreneur needs.
While widely used, it's not a user-friendly product:
No accounting: You must somehow calculate monthly revenue, expenses, and VAT amounts for dozens of input fields in Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung.
Complex setup: Requires an electronic certificate, which can take up to 14 days to receive.
Steep learning curve: Navigating bureaucratic language and tax terms can be challenging.
Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung Without Elster—Yes, it's Possible!
Forget waiting weeks for a certificate. With Norman, you don't need an Elster account or a complicated setup. Here's how simple it is:
Automated Data Collection: Norman collects and categorizes your invoices and receipts automatically, making the preparation of your UStVA effortless.
No Certificate Needed: Skip the Elster registration and certification process entirely.
User-Friendly Interface: Designed for entrepreneurs without tax expertise. Intuitive, simple, and fast.
Direct Submission to Finanzamt: Norman handles the secure electronic submission directly to your tax office and complies with German regulations.
Exceptions and Special Cases
Some groups don't need to submit regular VAT advance notifications:
Small Businesses: If your turnover doesn't exceed €25,000 (previous year) and is expected to stay below €100,000 this year.
Specific Professions: Doctors, therapists, and insurance brokers typically don't need to submit a UStVA.
Private Sales (e.g., eBay): If you sell regularly, even privately, check with your tax office to clarify your obligations.
The Difference Between Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung and Umsatzsteuererklärung
Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung: Frequent submission (monthly or quarterly). It's an advance payment system to help spread your VAT obligations.
Umsatzsteuererklärung: An annual declaration summarizing all VAT activity. This is the final settlement of your VAT obligations.
Penalties for Missing Deadlines
Avoid late fees, penalties, and unwanted audits by submitting timely. Regular submissions ensure smooth operations, keeping your finances predictable and under control. Modern accounting software like Norman sends deadline notifications and proactively pre-fills the Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung to help you avoid penalties.
Ready to simplify your Umsatzsteuervoranmeldung process? Sign up for Norman today!
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