Cathopic complies with EU VAT regulations for all customers located in European Union member states.
Standard VAT rate
For EU customers:
A standard VAT rate of 21% is applied to all subscriptions
VAT is automatically calculated and added to your subscription price
The system initially detects your location through your IP address
The country set in your profile settings takes precedence for VAT calculation
VAT exemption for businesses
If you are an EU business with a valid VAT ID number, you can be exempt from paying VAT through the reverse charge mechanism:
How it works:
Enter your VAT ID during the checkout process
The system validates your VAT ID in real-time through the official EU VIES service (VAT Information Exchange System)
If valid, VAT is automatically removed from your order
You will be responsible for declaring and paying the VAT in your own country
VAT ID format:
Include country code: ES12345678B, DE123456789, FR12345678901
Or enter just the number (system will add ES as default): 12345678B
The system accepts VAT IDs from all 27 EU member states
Validation process:
At checkout, locate the "VAT ID" field
Enter your VAT identification number
Click the validate button (checkmark icon)
Wait for validation (typically 2-5 seconds)
If valid, you'll see confirmation and VAT will be removed from your total
If invalid, you'll receive an error message and VAT will remain
What appears on your invoice
For customers paying with VAT (no VAT ID provided):
Subscription price (excluding VAT)
VAT amount (21%)
Total amount charged (including VAT)
For businesses using VAT ID (reverse charge):
Subscription price
Your VAT ID number
Note indicating reverse charge applies
No VAT amount charged
Important notes about VAT ID validation
Requirements for VAT exemption:
Your VAT ID must be currently registered and active in the EU VIES system
The VAT ID must belong to a business entity (not individuals)
You must be located in an EU member state (excluding your home country's VAT rules may vary)
If validation fails:
Verify your VAT ID is correct and includes the country code
Check that your VAT ID is registered and active
The EU VIES service may occasionally be unavailable - try again in a few minutes
Contact your tax authority if issues persist
Updating your location for VAT
To ensure correct VAT application:
Go to Settings → Profile
Update your country to your actual location
Save your changes
Your country setting determines whether VAT is applied to your subscription.
VAT on renewals
If you've provided a valid VAT ID:
The VAT exemption applies to all future subscription renewals
Your VAT ID is stored and automatically applied
You don't need to re-enter it for each renewal
You can update or remove your VAT ID anytime in your billing information
For any VAT-related questions or issues with validation, please contact our support team.
