What is the taxable income in income tax is the so-called remuneration in sales tax. This is the basis of the VAT. If the fee is fixed, only the corresponding tax rate according to § 12 UStG applies – and the tax to be paid is fixed. We provide an overview of § 10 UStG, which regulates the tax base for sales tax.

According to § 10 (1) sentence 1 UStG, the remuneration is always the basis of the VAT. “Fee” refers to everything that the recipient actually spends on receiving the service (§ 10 (1) sentence 2 UStG). The remuneration can therefore also consist of non-cash assets, which is particularly relevant for the exchange. Sales tax remains outside the calculation of the remuneration.

The decisive factor is always