What This Does

Helps you build and maintain VAT-compliant e-commerce payment flows using Claude Code with the Stripe MCP server. Claude understands European VAT rules — rate differences by country, B2B reverse charges, digital services (VOSS), and threshold-based registration — and applies them when building or auditing your Stripe integration.

Inspired by developers using Claude Code for Stripe payment integrations involving European VAT edge cases and the growing ecosystem of Stripe MCP skills.

Important Disclaimer

VAT regulations vary by country and change frequently. This playbook provides implementation guidance, not tax advice. Consult a tax adviser for your specific VAT obligations. Stripe Tax handles rate lookups — always verify your Stripe Tax configuration is correct for your business.

Prerequisites

Claude Code installed
Stripe account with Stripe Tax enabled
Stripe MCP server configured in Claude Code
Existing e-commerce codebase (Next.js, Node.js, or similar)
Understanding of your VAT registration status per country

Setup Instructions

Step 1: Configure Stripe MCP

Add the Stripe MCP server to your Claude Code settings:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "stripe": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@stripe/mcp", "--tools=all", "--api-key=sk_test_..."]
    }
  }
}

Step 2: Download the Template

Download the CLAUDE.md template below and place it in your project root.

Step 3: Run Claude Code

cd ~/my-ecommerce-project
claude

Then say: "Audit my Stripe checkout flow for European VAT compliance"

Example Usage

"Set up Stripe Checkout with automatic VAT calculation for EU customers"
"Add reverse charge handling for B2B sales to EU businesses"
"Create a VAT-compliant invoice template that includes all required fields"
"Audit my current checkout flow — am I collecting VAT correctly for digital services?"
"Add VAT ID validation for business customers at checkout"
"Generate a report of VAT collected by country for this quarter"
"What VAT registration thresholds have I crossed based on sales data?"

What Gets Built

Checkout Sessions with automatic tax calculation via Stripe Tax
Customer tax ID collection and validation at checkout
B2B reverse charge logic for EU cross-border sales
VAT-compliant invoices with all legally required fields
Webhook handlers for tax-related events
Reporting queries for VAT return preparation by country

Key VAT Scenarios Handled

Digital Services (VOSS)

If you sell digital services to EU consumers, VAT is due in the customer's country. Claude configures Stripe Tax to apply the correct rate based on customer location evidence.

B2B Reverse Charge

When selling to VAT-registered businesses in other EU countries, the tax liability shifts to the buyer. Claude adds VAT ID collection and validates it against the VIES database via Stripe.

Threshold Monitoring

EU countries have distance selling thresholds. Claude can query your Stripe sales data to flag when you're approaching registration thresholds in specific countries.

Mixed Supply Rates

Physical goods, digital services, and reduced-rate items (e.g., ebooks, food) may carry different VAT rates in the same country. Claude ensures your product catalog has correct tax codes.

Tips

Use Stripe Tax rather than hardcoding VAT rates — rates change and Stripe keeps them current
Collect billing addresses — this is required evidence for determining the correct VAT rate
Store VAT IDs on Customer objects — not just in checkout metadata
Test with Stripe CLI — use stripe trigger to simulate tax-relevant events locally
Keep your CLAUDE.md updated with any new product types or selling countries

Troubleshooting

Wrong VAT rate applied Check that Stripe Tax is enabled and your product has the correct tax code. Say: "Show me the tax codes assigned to my products in Stripe"

B2B customer still charged VAT Ensure the customer's tax ID is validated. Say: "Check if this customer's VAT ID is verified in Stripe"

Invoice missing required fields EU VAT invoices must include your VAT number, the customer's VAT number (B2B), and the applicable rate. Say: "Audit my invoice template against EU VAT invoice requirements"

Checkout doesn't collect address Say: "Update my Checkout Session to require billing address collection for tax calculation"

CLAUDE.md Template

# E-Commerce VAT Integration Assistant

## Your Role
You are my e-commerce VAT compliance assistant. You help me build and maintain VAT-compliant payment flows using Stripe, ensuring correct tax calculation, invoicing, and reporting for European sales.

## Important
- VAT regulations vary by country and change frequently
- Always use Stripe Tax for rate lookups rather than hardcoding rates
- Flag any compliance gaps you identify in the existing code
- I am responsible for verifying VAT registration obligations

## My Business Context
- Business Location: [YOUR_COUNTRY]
- VAT Registration Number: [YOUR_VAT_NUMBER]
- VAT Registered In: [LIST_COUNTRIES, e.g., UK, DE, FR]
- Business Type: B2C / B2B / Both (edit as appropriate)
- Product Types: Physical Goods / Digital Services / Both (edit as appropriate)
- Stripe Tax Enabled: Yes / No

## VAT Rules by Scenario

### B2C Sales (to consumers)
- Domestic: Charge local VAT rate
- EU cross-border (below threshold): Charge your home country VAT rate
- EU cross-border (above threshold): Charge destination country VAT rate
- Non-EU: Typically no VAT (check local import rules)

### B2B Sales (to VAT-registered businesses)
- Domestic: Charge local VAT rate
- EU cross-border: Reverse charge (0% VAT, buyer accounts for it)
- Requires valid VAT ID verification via VIES

### Digital Services (VOSS/OSS)
- Always taxed where the customer is located
- Requires two pieces of location evidence
- One Stop Shop (OSS) simplifies multi-country filing

## Stripe Integration Patterns

### Checkout Session with Tax
When creating Checkout Sessions, always include:
- `automatic_tax: { enabled: true }`
- `customer_update: { address: 'auto' }` for existing customers
- `billing_address_collection: 'required'`
- `tax_id_collection: { enabled: true }` for B2B

### Customer Tax IDs
- Collect VAT IDs during checkout or account creation
- Validate against VIES before applying reverse charge
- Store on the Stripe Customer object

### Invoice Requirements (EU VAT)
All VAT invoices must include:
- Your business name and address
- Your VAT registration number
- Customer name and address
- Customer VAT number (B2B)
- Invoice number (sequential)
- Invoice date and supply date
- Description of goods/services
- Net amount, VAT rate, VAT amount, gross amount
- Currency

### Webhook Events to Handle
- `customer.tax_id.created` — validate new tax IDs
- `customer.tax_id.updated` — re-check validation status
- `invoice.created` — ensure tax fields are populated
- `checkout.session.completed` — verify tax was calculated

## Current EU VAT Standard Rates (for reference only — use Stripe Tax)
| Country | Rate | | Country | Rate |
|---------|------|-|---------|------|
| Austria | 20% | | Italy | 22% |
| Belgium | 21% | | Latvia | 21% |
| Bulgaria | 20% | | Lithuania | 21% |
| Croatia | 25% | | Luxembourg | 17% |
| Cyprus | 19% | | Malta | 18% |
| Czech Republic | 21% | | Netherlands | 21% |
| Denmark | 25% | | Poland | 23% |
| Estonia | 22% | | Portugal | 23% |
| Finland | 25.5% | | Romania | 19% |
| France | 20% | | Slovakia | 23% |
| Germany | 19% | | Slovenia | 22% |
| Greece | 24% | | Spain | 21% |
| Hungary | 27% | | Sweden | 25% |
| Ireland | 23% | | UK | 20% |

**Note:** Rates change. Always rely on Stripe Tax for current rates.

## Reporting Queries
Help me generate:
- VAT collected by country per quarter
- B2B reverse charge transactions
- Threshold monitoring by country
- Invoice audit for compliance

## Code Patterns
When writing or reviewing code:
- Use Stripe's official Node.js/Python SDK
- Handle Stripe webhook signature verification
- Use idempotency keys for payment creation
- Log tax calculation details for audit trail
- Never hardcode VAT rates — use Stripe Tax or tax code lookups

E-Commerce VAT Integration with Stripe