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How to build your online store?

It’s true – you don’t need much to start selling online, but only if you decide to run your business using a sales platform. It gives you an access to many practical tools to run your online store. Which platforms are the biggest in Europe?

Amazon

Number one – the giant on the e-commerce market, namely the American company Amazon. It is the greatest global marketplace, which is available to vendors from all over the world. It also works in Europe, including Poland for some time. When looking at the offer, it is hard to believe the website initially existed as an online bookstore. It is currently possible to buy, above all, electronics, home appliances, furniture and many other products via the Amazon platform.

Selling through this online platform is available only for registered users. Once you create an account, you need to select a specific sales plan. This determines the amount of commission that is charged for running the online store. It is also possible to take advantage of additional services, such as the most famous service Fulfilment by Amazon (shipping and returns service). The advantages are primarily a high sales rate, access to markets not only in Europe but also worldwide, as well as customer confidence and fairly low online advertising costs. Disadvantages? Really high competition and high commissions for selected services within sales packages.

eBay

The second largest e-commerce player after Amazon is the American eBay. In 2000 it caught on – over 10 million users were taking advantage of the sales opportunity at that time. Today, the website is still popular among online store owners who want to sell their products in Europe and worldwide. The company is constantly expanding and buying other companies in order to achieve the highest possible level of awareness both sellers and buyers. For a long time, the platform operated without sales commissions, that however changed in 2008. eBay lost popularity at the time, but nevertheless remains one of the best solutions for online sales in Europe today. eBay works similarly to Amazon – once you have an account, you have to select an appropriate package and pay a commission. For novice sellers, many options are unavailable until they receive positive feedback from buyers. In return, you enjoy a number of benefits, such as trading partner protection, the ability to hold an auction, and no restrictions on the type of goods sold.

Allegro

It’s time for the biggest sales platform in Poland, which attracts customers from all over Europe. On Allegro you can encourage people to buy or bid on a whole range of different products. These are mainly clothes, household products and electronic devices. Since its establishment in the late 1990s, the website has undergone numerous changes, which today benefit vendors seeking to pull in customers in European and global markets. Running a store through Allegro isn’t complicated, it also comes with quite a few benefits. It’s an easy-to-use and intuitive platform which provides solutions like numerous tools for sales monitoring and product delivery management. Allegro is also supported by a large group of customers who regularly make purchases through this online platform. Moreover, you can put goods up for sale in selected categories free of charge. However, growing commissions and increasing competition can be considered as disadvantages. In addition, some sales rules, such as time limits, may also prove discouraging.

Of course, these are not the only sales platforms or marketplaces that are popular in Europe. They also include websites like Kaufland.de, OLX, Shoper, WooCommerce or Magento. Before you choose the right solution, read the offer carefully, the conditions and find out about commissions or additional fees.

E-commerce today

Today, all you need is an Internet connection and a sales platform; through the network, the customer views a product, selects it, pays for it, and orders it with delivery to the desired location. All of this happens in a few moments thanks to such solutions as mobile apps, advanced payment models, or well-developed delivery services. Another innovation that we are already dealing with is multichannel. It consists of a good combination of stationary and online sales. By moving between traditional and online trade, customers learn how to use both ways of shopping at the same time – without excluding either of them. Like any other industry, e-commerce doesn’t like stagnation and is always looking for new development opportunities. No wonder we hear a lot about solutions based on the latest technological achievements. Examples are the smart use of drones in order delivery or virtual and enhanced reality.

What will online sales look like in the future?

Digital world at your fingertips – AR and VR

Companies working in the e-commerce industry will appreciate digital technology even more. They won’t create only mobile applications. The time for discovering potential hidden in AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) will come. Consumers today want not only to see a product but also to feel it – for example, to test its functionality. Special apps based on AR or VR technology will allow you to arrange your own room, try on clothes or put on make-up. This way the customer will have the opportunity to find out whether he wants to buy a given product without visiting a stationary shop.

Even quicker delivery: drones will get into action!

To respond to customer needs, delivery will also be even quicker. By quicker, we mean providing the service within 30 minutes or even 15 minutes after transaction is completed. To make it possible, online stores will invest in modern solutions such as drones. Unmanned aerial vehicles are currently being tested in many places around the world. We won’t have only bicycles and cars – delivery drones are going to be a standard in the next few years.

Live-commerce

In the USA the trend is developing very well. We hope, however, it will find its way to the local market as well. We are talking about buying via streaming. Selling online during live transmission allows you not only to showcase products, but also to sell them in real-time. Trade takes place via social media or a specially designed platform in an online store. For example, a boutique may organize an online fashion show and then sell the clothing presented this way.

Online payment – how and when we want it

The future of e-commerce concerns also payment methods. Currently, customers can make quick cashless transactions. However, purchasing products is about to be even easier and quicker. One of the ideas that is likely to appeal to consumers is deferred payment. The customer will receive their product immediately but will pay for it much later – for example, within a few weeks after the purchase is completed. This is how to not only attract the customer and affect the security of the transaction but also significantly reduce the percentage of abandoned shopping carts.

The future of e-commerce

The customer is always the most important thing in sales, and it will not change in the upcoming years. If we want to succeed in the e-commerce industry, we need to adapt to customer’s needs. Fast, convenient, inexpensive – this is what e-commerce should look like. Do not postpone your plans – online stores are developing at a dizzying pace and the competition does not sleep. You should follow the industry news, test innovative technological solutions, and seriously consider the development.

The growing value of e-commerce

Anyone who runs their own business imust be aware of the consequences of the current economic situation in the world. The most valued business characteristic is flexibility understood as the ability to adjust to new situations and searching for alternative business models. In such a dynamic environment e-commerce simply blossoms. Online trade has become quite significant in recent years, and it doesn’t seem to slow down, as many entrepreneurs who previously conducted their business offline decided to switch to e-commerce.

E-commerce in the near future

According to analysts’ prognoses, e-commerce traders will become even more aware of their opportunities. They will appreciate the potential in conducting business online. Entrepreneurs will gain not only more financial liquidity but also a chance for development with the use of modern technologies: progressive apps, augmented reality, subscription automation, and voice search, to name the most important ones. Digital transformation is where e-commerce will evolve exceptionally.

The e-commerce industry is always on a lookout for new trends in sales. Its main focus is product customization, eco-friendliness, multi-channel distribution, and diversification of delivery options. Customers’ impression plays a huge role here – on the basis of analysis of customers’ shopping habits and constantly changing needs online traders will have to adjust their offers to their clients’ expectations. They will take flexibility to the next level.

Global expansion of e-commerce

The number of online shops both worldwide and in Poland is growing. Consumers decide to shop online more and more often. Undoubtedly, the future belongs to e-commerce which is why it is always worth to consider running your business online.

The Polish Deal: changes as of 2022

The implementation of changes in taxes has raised many questions and doubts. The Polish Deal includes inaccuracies that have led, among other things, to a reduction in salaries. Currently, the government is trying to cut losses and bring the proposed laws to order. What amenities are most talked about?

Universal tax relief

The tax modifications enacted on January 1 have created confusion in the payroll area. Efforts are underway to compensate for the loss in income. The government is planning to expand the group of beneficiaries who will be able to profit from an additional tax preference – the so-called compensatory relief adequate to annual settlements in 2022. It will be available to employees earning up to 12,800 PLN gross per month.

Advance payments for income tax

Due to the above, with the beginning of 2022 the method of settlement of advance payments charged under income tax has changed. The amount of the advance payment cannot exceed the amount charged adequately until the end of December 2021. As a result, employees with a lower paycheck will receive an offset.

Relief for single parents

The new relief for single parents is a significant change. It is a fixed amount of 1500 PLN for every parent – no matter how high their income is. They will be able to benefit from it when completing the PIT form. Thus, joint settlement (with a child) will not be possible.

Joint settlement with a spouse

Married couples who are thinking about joint settlement are also expected to benefit from the Polish Deal. The wife will be able to file PIT together with her husband for the year in which they entered into a marriage. Thus, it will not be necessary to wait until the end of the tax year. Another condition is also the marital property occurring in a given tax year. Due to the necessity of amendment to the Polish Deal, it is worthwhile to keep up-to-date with all the information on this subject. You can find more details on the Polish government website.

Good accounting practices

Knowledge is everything. Knowing the principles of VAT settlement in other countries, both in the EU, and outside, provides more opportunities for planning your budget and finding the right market. Proficiency in foreign languages is also important, as without it accountants whose task is handling VAT registration abroad will not be able to read financial statements correctly or communicate with foreign tax authorities or clients. Understanding VAT regulations in each country is also crucial, as each state has their own methods of tax settlement on goods and services.

All there is to know about e-commerce

Modern day accountants know the kind of opportunities business who conduct online sales or provide services online have. However, the e-commerce sector, just like any other business, is subject to tax, which means that certain tax settlement requirements must be met.

Accountants providing services for such businesses must be conscious of the ins-and-outs of legal acts. It is also a good practice to acquaint oneself with e.g. VAT rates for international transactions, VAT OSS tax settlement process, as well as other complicated processes which make up international trade, including VAT settlement processes in various countries.

Stay up-to-date!

E-commerce accounting is not an easy task which is why we offer experienced support which is detailed, effective, reliable, and transparent. It also covers a consistent implementation of good practices in company’s everyday activities. If you are interested in our offer – do not hesitate to contact us!

Changes in EU VAT regulations for non-EU countries

The fact that the UK was no longer subject to the rules of intra-community trade raised a lot of questions. How has the situation of businesses with registered offices in Northern Ireland changed? What is the NI – EU trade relation like now? As it turns out, regulations concerning Northern Ireland and are being introduced at a different rate.

As of January 1, 2021 regulations regarding VAT for e-commerce traders have changed. The most considerable modifications concern not only Great Britain but also Northern Ireland. However, Northern Ireland is subject to a unique set of regulations in this regard. According to a dedicated protocol, Northern Ireland is partially subject to EU VAT regulations and partially treated the same way as Great Britain is – as a non-EU country. The main difference lies in the type of exchange conducted: the former has to do with selling goods, whereas the latter with providing services.

Entrepreneurs who sell their goods comply with the intra-community supply and acquisition transactions rules, as well as distance sales rules which are applicable in the EU. However, those who provide or receive services will have to settle VAT according to the same rules as businesses from outside the EU. These rules will apply for the next 4 years. The protocol offers a time extension for these rules, which means that these methods of VAT settlement may become the default VAT settlement method.

Changes in transactions in Northern Ireland

As of 2021 the VAT settlement method for goods sold in Northern Ireland changed. Settling VAT is much less complicated than it was anticipated prior to the introduction of the simplified VAT OSS scheme for e-commerce for EU member countries. The changes also include a new invoicing procedure.
Currently invoices for goods sold in or via Northern Ireland are indicated with the XI prefix, instead of the GB prefix, as previously. The GB prefix will however remain on the invoices for provided services. This modification aimed at a more efficient VAT declarations management of tax payers registered in Northern Ireland. What is crucial for the sellers, is to differentiate between import and export.

A VAT number for Northern Ireland generated in OSS should also be included in an invoice for control purposes (it’s important to remember that it is a different number than tax identification number). It is possible to use both numbers for verification purposes but it must be indicated on the invoice what type of goods are subject to OSS, and what type of goods are settled in a standard Irish VAT declaration.

Adding new “XI” country codes for particular tax payers is crucial in maintaining order in trade between EU member states and non-EU countries. It will also take the administrative workload off clerks and entrepreneurs, and shorten the entire procedure.

In case of any questions or doubts regarding current VAT settlement methods for companies operating in Northern Ireland, it is worth seeking support of a tax advisor who always remains up-to-date with changes in taxation in EU.

Supporting entrepreneurs focused on development and progress

On 1st January 2022 various changes in tax law will be introduced in accordance with the Polish Deal initiative. The benefits of the relief will be particularly obtained by companies who plan on investing in industrial robots. The automation of manufacturing and processing is an expensive investment which is why the government provided support for entrepreneurs in a form of tax relief programme. The relief for robotization allows for a 50% deduction of costs of purchasing innovative industrial systems.

All companies focused on development and restructuring of the current manufacturing and processing methods will benefit from the new initiative. Introducing new systems will become more accessible even for smaller companies which could not invest in industrial robots in the past due to high purchase costs.

Additionally, the new programme supports other tax solutions such as the Research and Development tax relief (R&D). This relief allows for deduction of costs connected to the conducted research and developing activities. According to the new regulations the amount of cost deduction may be up to 200%.

Automation – a tax relief for ambitious change-seeking entrepreneurs

Both solutions offered as part of the Polish Deal are supposed to not only be financially beneficial but also open doors for automation of the manufacturing industry. A chance to buy more industrial robots should provide support also for businesses who lack employees with specialised knowledge. Some of the tasks can or even should be automated – and this is one of the reasons why the relief was introduced.

Financial assistance in the face of a crisis

The main aim of the Polish Deal is to help eradicate problems connected with the COVID-19 crisis. It mostly focuses on changes in tax law, which are beneficial both for entrepreneurs, as well as ordinary households. The assistance includes tax reliefs and additional social benefits for families with children.

Who will benefit from the upcoming changes in tax law?

Polish Deal concerns not only entrepreneurs but also families and ordinary citizens coping with the aftermath of the pandemic. The new programme offers the following solutions…

Tax relief for middle class citizens

The Polish Deal includes special tax reliefs for middle class citizens. Both tax paying entrepreneurs, where general principles of taxation apply, and citizens with employment contracts can benefit from the aforementioned reliefs. Such a solution aims at reducing the cost of health insurance contribution for persons with income between 5 701 PLN and 11 141 PLN per month. Middle class citizens will be able to calculate the amount of the relief per year from now on. The employers are obligated to include the relief in tax settlement process as of next January.

0% PIT for 4+ families

Large families are also supported by the Polish Deal. The new changes include a new 0% personal income tax (PIT-0) for income which does not exceed 85 528 PLN. This means that families with four children or more will be exempt from PIT. This solution is aimed at all parents, both those who run a household and those who run their own business. Single parents will also be able to benefit from PIT-0. The upper income limit for persons settling their taxes on the general principles of taxation is 115 528 PLN, whereas for parents who settle taxes jointly 231 056 PLN.

Changes to be enforced on 1st January 2022

The Polish Deal offers more changes to come, some of which will take effect on 1st January 2022. We will write more about them in the next part of the article.

Accounting offices and changes in AML

The amendment to the Act on Counteracting Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism means more work for accountants, including even more restrictive financial security measures, more scrupulous supervision of beneficiaries, and more workshops for employees.

The amendment includes inter alia an extension of the list of business entities entered into the Central Register of Beneficial Owners (CRBO). In addition to general and limited partnerships, professional partnerships, European companies, foundations, co-operatives entered into the National Court Register, and European Economic Interest Groupings were added. Furthermore, more frequent verifications of CRBO are now required.

Accounting offices and new AML-related obligations

Consequently, accounting offices face more responsibilities and obligations. Accountants are obligated to assess financial risk connected to possible money laundering or terrorism financing, and implement specific solutions under the Act. This will allow reporting on any infringements become more effective and prevent dishonest activities which could compromise company’s financial security. Accounting offices will need to provide workshops for employees, accurately verify beneficial owners’ identity, and archive all documentation confirming conducted transactions. An inspection of internal procedures in accordance with the amendment will also be necessary.