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Selling online across the EU? Your VAT obligations don't stop at Ireland's border. rce founders register for VAT here and assume that covers them – it doesn't, the moment sales cross into other EU states.

In our latest blog, we break down what actually matters for online sellers in 2026:

🛒 Why VAT treatment differs completely between your own Shopify/WooCommerce store and marketplaces like Amazon, eBay or Etsy

📊 The Irish registration thresholds (€42,500 for services, €85,000 for goods) — and the separate €10,000 EU-wide threshold that triggers OSS

📦 Why holding stock abroad (hello, Amazon FBA) can quietly create VAT and Intrastat obligations in a whole new country
⚠️ The most common — and costly — compliance mistakes we see growing sellers make

We've also included three real-world style case studies showing how the rules play out differently depending on your channel mix.
If you're scaling an ecommerce business across the EU, this is worth a read before your next growth decision, not after.

Read the full guide 👉 https://forti.ie/irish-ecommerce-vat-oss-compliance-what-online-sellers-need-to-get-right-in-2026/



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Irish Ecommerce VAT & OSS Compliance: What Online Sellers Need to Get Right in 2026 - Forti Stay compliant with expert VAT return services in Ireland. Forti Accountants prepares, files, & manages VAT returns accurately & on time for businesses of all sizes.

🌱 Starting a business is exciting—but staying compliant from day one is just as important.

A newly incorporated Irish company recently asked us:

"How can we keep costs down while staying fully compliant?"

Our advice is simple:

✔ Set up your accounting software before your first transaction.

✔ Keep your bookkeeping up to date every month.

✔ Stay on top of payroll, VAT, and statutory filings.

For most start-ups, outsourcing bookkeeping and compliance is more cost-effective than trying to manage everything in-house. It saves time, reduces errors, and lets founders focus on what matters most—growing the business.

The earlier you build good financial habits, the easier it becomes to scale.

Clean books from day one keep costs down at year end.

🌐 www.forti.ie

Running a solo consulting business shouldn't mean juggling payroll, VAT, tax returns and year-end deadlines on your own.

If you're a director with a straightforward limited company, your compliance can be managed under one predictable monthly fee.

𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝗹-𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀:

✔ Director Payroll
✔ VAT Returns
✔ Annual Financial Statements
✔ Corporation Tax Return (CT1)
✔ CRO Annual Return (B1)
✔ Director Personal Tax Return (Form 11)
✔ Annual Salary & Dividend Review

One tip many solo directors overlook: setting up a director payroll can help utilise your PAYE tax credit while maintaining your PRSI contribution record for future State Pension entitlement.

The right salary and dividend mix isn't something you decide once—it should be reviewed each year as your business evolves.

Simple advice. Predictable pricing. Complete compliance.

🌐 www.forti.ie

𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗿𝗼 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆. 𝗟𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿. 𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲?

It's a question we hear regularly from company directors.

Many assume that if a company has minimal activity, no employees, or very little revenue, filing requirements can wait. Unfortunately, that's not the case.

Every Irish limited company must meet its annual filing obligations, regardless of trading activity.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀:
📄 Statutory Financial Statements
💼 Corporation Tax Return (CT1)
🏢 Annual Return (B1) with the CRO

Missing deadlines can lead to surcharges, penalties, and unnecessary compliance issues—even where no tax is due.

The good news? If your records are already prepared and reconciled, the process is usually straightforward.

𝗔𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶, 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀:
✔ Review Figures
✔ Format Accounts
✔ Ensure Compliance
✔ Submit Returns

In many cases, turnaround is measured in days, not weeks.

𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴.

🌐 www.forti.ie

🌍 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱?

A recent client was moving back from New Zealand, continuing to work remotely for her NZ employer, while also launching a creative Etsy business selling architectural models and artwork.

It's a situation we see more often than you might think.

When you return to Ireland, your tax obligations can quickly become more complex:

✔ Foreign employment income
✔ Double taxation considerations
✔ Sole trader registration
✔ Etsy and online sales income
✔ Future VAT obligations

The right advice early on can help you understand your position, avoid surprises, and ensure everything is structured correctly from the start.

Whether you're returning to Ireland, earning income overseas, or starting a side business, a once-off consultation can provide a clear roadmap before your first tax return is due.

📩 Get in touch to discuss your situation.

🌐 www.forti.ie

𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 doesn't have to be complicated.

The key is following the right sequence from the beginning:

✔ CRO Registration
✔ Revenue Registration
✔ Accounting Setup

Many of the issues we see arise when founders skip steps or try to do things out of order.

Swipe through for a simple guide to getting started the right way.

🌐 Visit 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶.𝗶𝗲 for practical guidance on company formation, tax registrations, accounting, and ongoing compliance.

🏗️ Starting a construction company? Don't let compliance slow you down later.

Most founders focus on company formation, VAT registration, payroll, and getting projects underway.

But one requirement often catches new construction businesses by surprise:

Relevant Contracts Tax (RCT).

If you hire subcontractors, Revenue's RCT rules may apply from day one.

✔️ Contract notifications
✔️ Payment authorisations
✔️ Correct deduction rates
✔️ Ongoing compliance management

Missing a step can lead to penalties, even when payments are legitimate.

That's why construction businesses need more than annual accounts. They need the right systems, registrations, and compliance processes from the start.

At Forti, we help construction businesses get set up correctly with:
• Company formation
• Tax registrations
• Payroll setup
• RCT compliance support
• Management accounts and reporting

Build your business on solid foundations from day one.

📩 Get in touch to discuss your start-up plans.

💡 Read the full guide on our Founder Knowledge Hub at 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶.𝗶𝗲