This article explains the tax rules to apply on your quotes depending on your client's location — in France, in the EU, or outside the EU.
- Same country: apply taxes corresponding to your legal form.
- Client in the EU: reverse charge if you have an intra-community VAT number.
- Outside the EU: no tax on the quote; net amount equals gross amount.
Is your client in the same country as you?
Yes — same country
Tax rule: you can apply taxes that correspond to your specific legal form.
Impact on legal mentions: depending on your situation, we will include a specific legal mention confirming your VAT exemption or any other applicable tax.
No — but you are both in the European Union
If you have a VAT number (as a freelancer)
- You cannot charge VAT because you benefit from VAT reverse charge.
- You cannot add other taxes specific to your legal form, as your client will not be subject to your country's regulations.
If you do not have a VAT number (you are not VAT-registered as a freelancer)
- You must not charge VAT.
- You cannot add other taxes specific to your legal form, as your client will not be subject to your country's regulations.
For services between EU countries, the amount shown on the quote may also depend on the VAT number and country of the client (reverse charge when that number is valid). Make sure your company's tax settings in Malt reflect your actual situation; contact us if the automatic calculation does not match your obligations.
No — outside the European Union
Tax rule: you cannot apply tax on your quote. The net amount will therefore equal the gross amount.
Impact on legal mentions: depending on your situation, we will include a specific legal mention confirming your VAT exemption or any other applicable tax.
VAT management
Check whether you must charge VAT in your company settings by checking whether your turnover exceeds the threshold set by your tax authority.
- See our VAT information page for the exact threshold applicable to your jurisdiction.
- You can verify your intra-community VAT number status on the official EU validation page.
- Monitor your turnover regularly to stay compliant and update your VAT status if needed.
Screenshot: VAT settings in My Business