Adding EU VAT number to WooCommerce checkout can be done easily. Today, I will tell you how to check if the EU VAT number is valid and automatically invoice for EU orders with the proper VAT or without the tax. Get the EU VAT validation and invoicing at the same time thanks to the Flexible Invoices WooCommerce plugin. Let’s begin!
How to add and validate EU VAT number during checkout in WooCommerce?
You may add new fields to the WooCommerce checkout form by adding custom code or using a plugin. That part is quite easy. That will be needed when if want to sell in the EU. But then you would need another plugin to validate if the VAT EU number is valid or do it manually with a VIES checker (or directly on the VIES VAT number validation page).
There are few plugins available that will help you to get the VAT of the customer or even remove the VAT from the order when the VAT EU number is validated. Also, read the article about 3 tried-and-tested ways to add a VAT Number (EU VAT) field in WooCommerce. I hope it may be helpful for you.
Automatic validation of the EU VAT for OSS (formerly MOSS)
If you sell digital goods you will need to check if your customers are individuals or businesses. According to the EU law, you need to add the proper country tax rate based on the client’s country of consumption. On the other hand, when selling for business customers the order should receive the reverse charge annotation and no VAT. The EU introduced in 2015 the MOSS that allows managing VAT and European transactions without the need to register for VAT purposes in every member state. Read more about MOSS (currently OSS) on europa.eu. Check the current VAT rates.
See also the complete tutorial on how to configure and set WooCommerce tax rates & one on how to set up tax rates in WooCommerce for EU invoices.
Flexible Invoices manage EU VAT validation, OSS/ MOSS, reverse charge, and invoicing at once
The plugin gives you the whole package. You get the EU VAT field in the WooCommerce checkout:
and proper VAT for OSS/ MOSS orders and no VAT depending if the customer provides a valid EU VAT number during checkout.
Read more about issuing invoices in the European Union using WooCommerce that allows different VAT, OSS, and reverse charge.
The Flexible Invoices will issue an invoice automatically for chosen order status:
If the order is in another currency there may also be a VAT conversion table on the invoice with rates automatically taken from the European Central Bank:
Read more about VAT conversion in the currency invoices in this WooCommerce article. Check also the plugin’s documentation.
How to invoice automatically for WooCommerce orders?
When the order is paid (in most cases by an online payment gateway), it is ready for the next phase – delivery and invoicing. The Flexible Invoices plugin lets you turn on automatic invoicing and document sending based on the order status. You may also ask your customers if they want an invoice during checkout.
You may use Flexible Invoices to generate invoices for customers from the entire World. The plugin will give you also the possibility to issue invoices in WordPress thanks to manual invoicing. Even without WooCommerce itself!
The plugin allows you also to validate EU VAT numbers and invoice with the proper VAT rate for an order automatically. The one step closer to a successful purchase and higher convenience.
Check if the EU VAT number is valid and invoice in WooCommerce automatically!
Visit the Flexible Invoices plugin page to see all its features and types of documents you may use for invoicing in WooCommerce. Receive the tool to invoice for all clients including EU customers according to the EU law.
Thanks to the built-in EU VAT number field and its validation it will be easier!
Also, see how to create, download, email & print an invoice in WordPress & WooCommerce.
Let us know if you have questions/ suggestions. We are open to suggestions about the possible improvements and ideas for the plugin.
I encourage you to test the plugin. You may also start using the free version of the plugin right away.
