With effect from 01.01.2007 , Value Added Tax (VAT)  will be 19%.

The current rate is 16% and the 3% raise means a price increase on all the shopping stuff. Friends, if your are gonna plan to buy something big , this is the best time to buy it and save the 3% tax hike before 31st Dec.

Good luck.

Happy Christmas & new year.

Erhöhung der Mehrwertsteuer von 16% auf 19% ab dem 1.1.2007

VAT gonna be 19% in Germany from 01.01.2007. The present VAT rates in some european countries are as follows:

 Last but not least, here is a link where one can validate the VAT ID of a firm, handler or company.

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/en/vieshome.htm

cheers

de-orient.com