HT201359: How iTunes Store purchases are billed

Learn about How iTunes Store purchases are billed
EGG Video

Q: OK. But what about VAT billings? What about including these purchases as my Company expenses? How can I get legal invoices which I might be able to declare?

Hello,

I'm from Spain, Europe. I need to be able to declare the purchases my company does on iTunes and the App Store.

In order to be able to do so, I need Apple to include the name of my company and its VAT Number on the billing data Apple has from me. Unfortunately, Apple's billing data form does not offer the possibility to write neither the Company's name nor the VAT number.

From an European fiscal approach, any company that ommits the obligation of delivering invoices with VAT disclosure is actually committing a fiscal fraud.

Shall I put a demand on Apple or shall anyone at Apple explain me why isn't a way to include my VAT number on my Apple Account so that invoices include may  company's name and VAT number?

 

Thank you very much,

Posted on Jan 17, 2013 2:47 AM

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Q: OK. But what about VAT billings? What about including these purchases as my Company expenses? How can I get legal invoices which I ... more

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  • Helpful answers

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Jan 17, 2013 10:01 AM in response to EGG Video
    Level 6 (15,185 points)
    Peripherals
    Jan 17, 2013 10:01 AM in response to EGG Video

    Have you actually written to Apple and asked them?   It doesn't seem so.   Write to

     

    Apple - Support - iTunes Store - Contact Us

     

    Just set out your problem in a straightforward way and you should get an answer (and guidance) within 24 - 48 hours.

  • by EGG Video,

    EGG Video EGG Video Jan 17, 2013 12:28 PM in response to seventy one
    Level 1 (6 points)
    iPhone
    Jan 17, 2013 12:28 PM in response to seventy one

    Well, actually, I'm really wondering if you, "seventy one", are from the States or from Europe. In my case, being from Europe, it has taken me about a total of more than 10 mails until I got the right way to do it. And I'm not exagerating about the number of mails. I gess we, people from Spain, are attended by American latinos or Central or South Americans which have not received (how come?) information about the needs of an European company  to declare every single Euro it spends.

     

    1. For all you to know,  If you ever want your invoices with your VAT Number, you first have to go here:

    https://appleid.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MyAppleId.woa/

     

    2. Then you have  to click on "Manage your Apple ID"

     

    3. Then you have to click on "Addresses"

     

    4. Then you have to write the company's name and VAT number although it  has NOT a specific VAT "box" to write it on it. It just has about 4 boxes to write whatever you may but it does not tell you anywhere that you can actually write your VAT number there. Well, write it down just under your company's name.

     

    5. And last but least, from now on, every time you want an invoice with your VAT Number, you have to write to the iTunes Support team and let them now that you want an invoice with your VAT number WHICH YOU HAVE TO SEND IT TO THEM IN EVERY PETITION (although they have it already).

    Oh! and do not spect Apple to send you invoices with purchases you already did under your old account address details.

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Jan 17, 2013 12:41 PM in response to EGG Video
    Level 6 (15,185 points)
    Peripherals
    Jan 17, 2013 12:41 PM in response to EGG Video

    Well, my write up says Kent UK.   I don't need to disguise where I come from.

     

    As I see things, if you want to do something outside the norm as far as a supplier is concerned, you need to approach it with patience.

     

    They have the goods.  You live outside of their normal trading area.  You want them to meet your needs.  

     

    Whereas, you should accept that in order to get the goods you want, you may have to work with and accept the suppliers terms and conditions.    They have the means to meet your VAT needs but you have to co-operate too.

     

    I think you expect too much.

  • by EGG Video,

    EGG Video EGG Video Jan 17, 2013 1:55 PM in response to seventy one
    Level 1 (6 points)
    iPhone
    Jan 17, 2013 1:55 PM in response to seventy one

    LOL, LOL, LOL!

    Well, I do not really think I'm the first person in Europe to ask Apple for something like this. Do you? After so many years and so many European costumers? But let me tell you, I did co-operate indeed untill I got the  right answer. After All and All they came up with the right legal  answer. I do not think that's expecting too much from Apple.

    And thanks for the reply!

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Jan 17, 2013 2:45 PM in response to EGG Video
    Level 6 (15,185 points)
    Peripherals
    Jan 17, 2013 2:45 PM in response to EGG Video

    Well, at least you can laugh about it      I wish you well, EGG video and hope you find a way to get what you want.  

     

    You're right of course, Apple is not the easiest company to deal with and yours is not the first such post I've seen.  I think they have a different way of dealing with a business account, as opposed to an individual's account used to purchase on behalf of a business (If I've understood you correctly).

     

    With luck one of our more senior contributors will find a route for you.

     

    Regards,

     

    71

  • by HACKINT0SH,Helpful

    HACKINT0SH HACKINT0SH Jan 17, 2013 10:52 PM in response to EGG Video
    Level 5 (5,774 points)
    iLife
    Jan 17, 2013 10:52 PM in response to EGG Video

    There are at least two types of invoices iTS can re-email out you you. Standard invoices, and VAT invoices. And there are some..... other things as well that we won't get into right now.

     

    Ask for your VATs here:

     

    iTunes Store Support

    http://www.apple.com/emea/support/itunes/contact.html

     

    Please let me know if what you recieve back is what you are looking for or if it's not good enough for legal terms.

  • by EGG Video,

    EGG Video EGG Video Jan 18, 2013 7:25 AM in response to HACKINT0SH
    Level 1 (6 points)
    iPhone
    Jan 18, 2013 7:25 AM in response to HACKINT0SH

    It would have perhaps  solved my problem if it wasn't because someonr at Apple already did. Nevertheless, the "Select Topic Field" box does not work,

     

    Thanks, though! I'll save that page on my Favourites.

  • by HACKINT0SH,

    HACKINT0SH HACKINT0SH Jan 18, 2013 10:19 PM in response to EGG Video
    Level 5 (5,774 points)
    iLife
    Jan 18, 2013 10:19 PM in response to EGG Video

    Select topic field works here, could have been a glitch or other issue with your browser. Sorry about that.

  • by Puma-IT,

    Puma-IT Puma-IT Oct 30, 2013 4:21 AM in response to HACKINT0SH
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 30, 2013 4:21 AM in response to HACKINT0SH

    Hi,

     

    Thank you for this post and its informartion.

     

    Having the same from Ireland, where Apple is registered for VAT (well, Apple Distribution International is, for the Apple Store, physical goods, I do not know how many subsidiaries exist to "optimise" their fiscal affairs

     

    I have sent a request hrough the contact form for two Mac App store purchases, and will post back any relevant information I may get from them.

     

    Have a nice day!
    Hervé

  • by Puma-IT,

    Puma-IT Puma-IT Jan 28, 2014 2:04 AM in response to Puma-IT
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 28, 2014 2:04 AM in response to Puma-IT

    HI,

     

    I forgot to follow up with the above. Thank you Hackintosh, your advice worked perfectly: I filled up a request, and Apple support team replied the following day. I received emails with the proper VAT invoices.

     

    Here is what I wrote, if it be useful for others:

     

     

     

    Hello Apple,

     

     

    I write to you regarding VAT charged and invoice for the electronic downloads from the Mac App Store. As you may know, there is no alternative way for a business to buy a software upgrade for Mac OS X for example. As I use my Mac Book Pro in my office for my business, I need VAT invoicing, as requested by EU and Irish laws.

     

     

    I searched from the Apple Community discussions here

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4715504

    and here

    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2714929

     

     

    Please note that any purchase I made from the Apple Store with physical delivery has been invoiced properly with VAT.

     

     

    Please could you send me the VAT invoices for my 201x purchases below:

    - Order Number: MTyourNumber, Receipt Date: xx/x/xx, Receipt No. 987654321, Order Total: 23,99 €

    - Order ID: MTyourNumber, Receipt Date:  xx/x/xx, Receipt No. 987654321, Order Total: 27,99 €

     

     

    My VAT number is IE XYZXYZ.

     

     

    Kind regards,

     

     

     

    Always easier when one is polite and gentle