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What is hellotax

hellotax is a compliance service for online merchants that combines EU VAT automation software with local tax accountants to handle VAT registration, One-Stop-Shop (OSS) reporting, and VAT filings across EU countries. The platform centralizes deadlines, filings, and transaction data so merchants can manage VAT obligations for one or multiple companies in a single interface.

Compared with Avalara, which targets larger enterprise tax automation across many tax types, hellotax focuses specifically on EU VAT for e-commerce sellers and pairs software with local accountant support. Compared with Quaderno and TaxJar, hellotax places more emphasis on local accountant involvement and OSS facilitation, while Quaderno and TaxJar are stronger on lightweight automation and receipts-level tax calculations for certain markets.

All of this makes hellotax a practical choice for online merchants who sell across multiple EU countries but want a single partner to manage registration, OSS filings, and local submissions through dedicated accountants. It is especially useful for marketplaces, direct-to-consumer stores, and SaaS vendors that need both automation and local tax expertise.

How hellotax Works

The service starts with digital VAT registration where you request VAT numbers for the EU countries you need. Once registrations are in place, you connect your sales channels and marketplaces to the hellotax platform so transaction data flows in automatically for reconciliation and reporting.

hellotax uses its OSS software to aggregate sales across EU member states and prepare ready-to-file OSS reports; their local accountants perform quality control and, if chosen, submit filings on your behalf. Typical workflows include connecting Shopify or WooCommerce, reviewing the Tax Letter Inbox for required documentation, and authorizing the accountant to file OSS or local VAT returns.

hellotax features

The platform brings together VAT registration, OSS reporting, filing services, and a centralized dashboard so merchants see deadlines, filings, and outstanding requests in one place. Core capabilities include digital VAT registration, OSS automation, manual and automatic quality control, integration connectors, and access to local accountants for filings and advisory.

The platform includes several powerful capabilities:

EU VAT registration

hellotax handles digital VAT registrations across EU member states, preparing and submitting required forms and local documentation. This saves merchants from navigating country-specific registration rules and language requirements, and it provides a central record of VAT numbers for cross-border reporting.

VAT filings and returns

You can opt for hellotax to prepare and submit VAT returns and OSS reports on your behalf, with local accountants performing quality checks before submission. This reduces the administrative burden of country-specific filing formats and deadlines, and it helps avoid errors that trigger fines.

One-Stop-Shop (OSS) management

The OSS workflow consolidates EU cross-border B2C sales into a single OSS return when permitted, and hellotax prepares ready-to-file OSS reports for submission. That simplifies VAT compliance across the EU by removing the need to file many individual returns when OSS is applicable.

VAT automation software

The dashboard displays deadlines, required documents, and filing status across countries and companies, while integrations pull transaction data for reporting. Built-in automation reduces manual reconciliation work and highlights exceptions that need accountant review.

Local tax accountants and support

Local accountants are available to validate filings, respond to tax authority requests, and file returns where required locally. This combination of software plus local expertise helps merchants meet country-specific requirements and respond to audits or queries.

With these features, hellotax centralizes EU VAT tasks and reduces manual work by pairing automation with local accounting support, making it easier for merchants to stay compliant while scaling across countries.

hellotax pricing

hellotax offers tiered service packages tailored to seller size and OSS needs, with optional add-on costs for specific registrations. Plans are organized around transaction volume and the level of accountant involvement rather than a single per-user seat model, and some one-time fees apply for specific registrations.

Package options

New Seller – New Seller includes up to 500 transactions yearly, one integration, and email support. It is intended for very small or new cross-border sellers who only need minimal integrations and basic support.

Digital Services Seller / OSS – Digital Services Seller / OSS provides access to the OSS software and Tax Letter Inbox, automatic and manual quality control, ready-to-file OSS reports, and submission of OSS reports done for you. This package is aimed at sellers offering digital services or those relying on OSS reporting.

Established Seller – Established Seller includes unlimited transactions, unlimited integrations, a dedicated account manager, email and phone support, and one hour of free accounting consultation per year. This plan suits sellers with regular cross-border volume who require an assigned point of contact.

5 Countries Package – 5 Countries Package includes unlimited transactions and integrations, a dedicated account manager, email and phone support, five countries included, and three hours of free accounting consultation per year. It is designed for sellers that concentrate sales in a limited number of EU countries.

Additional costs

OSS Registration: 149€ (one time) for OSS registration processing in the EU. Additional local registration or processing costs may apply in some countries, for example the Netherlands.

For the most accurate and up-to-date package details and any country-specific pricing, review the hellotax homepage or contact their sales team through the contact page to get a tailored quote.

What is hellotax Used For?

hellotax is used by online merchants who need to register for VAT across EU jurisdictions, file OSS returns, and maintain ongoing VAT compliance with minimal in-house tax work. Typical users include e-commerce stores selling to multiple EU countries, SaaS and digital service providers, and marketplaces that require consolidated OSS reporting.

Accounting teams and finance leaders use hellotax to centralize VAT deadlines, receive validated filings from local accountants, and reduce the risk of missed filings or incorrect returns. It is particularly useful for companies scaling into new EU markets that want to avoid the complexity of registering and filing in multiple countries.

Pros and cons of hellotax

Pros

  • Local accountant support: Local tax accountants validate filings, handle country-specific requirements, and respond to tax authority queries, reducing compliance risk. This hands-on support is valuable where local language and process knowledge matter.
  • OSS-ready platform: The software prepares ready-to-file OSS reports, aggregates cross-border sales data, and reduces the number of filings needed when OSS applies. That simplifies compliance for merchants with widespread EU B2C sales.
  • Centralized dashboard: Deadlines, filings, and required documents are displayed in one place, helping teams track outstanding tasks and required inputs across multiple countries and companies.

Cons

  • Limited public pricing transparency: Detailed plan pricing and country-specific fees are not published on a dedicated pricing page, which means merchants typically need to contact hellotax for a precise quote. This can slow initial vendor comparisons.
  • Dependence on integrations: Full automation requires connecting sales channels and marketplaces; merchants with custom or legacy platforms may need additional integration work or manual uploads.
  • Additional one-time registration fees: Some registrations, such as OSS setup in certain countries, carry one-time fees like the 149€ OSS registration, which adds to initial onboarding costs.

Can You Test hellotax Before Buying?

hellotax does not advertise a permanent free plan, but it offers demos and a free eCommerce newsletter that shares VAT guidance and onboarding tips. Prospective customers can request a product demo and discuss a trial or pilot engagement by contacting hellotax through their contact page.

hellotax API and Integrations

hellotax supports integrations with common e-commerce platforms and marketplaces to import sales data for VAT reporting, including connectors for platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce. Integrations reduce manual uploads and feed transaction data into the OSS and VAT filing workflows.

If you need programmatic access, ask about their API and developer options when you contact sales; the platform is designed to accept multiple integrations and to surface data to accountants for quality control. For general OSS guidance, consult the European Commission OSS guidance that explains when OSS applies.

10 hellotax alternatives

Paid alternatives to hellotax

  • Avalara — Comprehensive tax automation for global indirect taxes, often used by larger enterprises with complex multi-jurisdiction needs. Avalara covers VAT, sales tax, and reporting automation across many countries.
  • Quaderno — VAT and sales tax automation focused on online sellers and SaaS companies, with receipts, invoicing, and automatic tax calculations. Quaderno emphasizes developer-friendly integrations and simple reconciliation.
  • TaxJar — Automated sales tax reporting and filing for marketplaces and e-commerce platforms, strong in the US and expanding features for international sellers. TaxJar targets merchants who want hands-off sales tax filings.
  • Taxually — Specialized EU VAT compliance provider that offers registration and filings across EU countries, similar in scope to hellotax with a focus on cross-border VAT. Taxually emphasizes legal and filing expertise for EU VAT.
  • Sovos — Regulatory reporting and tax compliance platform for enterprises, with solutions for VAT and digital reporting across multiple regions. Sovos suits organizations with heavy regulatory and audit demands.
  • Vertex — Enterprise-grade tax solutions for transaction tax calculation and reporting, integrating with ERPs and large commerce platforms. Vertex is often chosen by large retailers and distributors.
  • Stripe Tax — Built into Stripe payments to calculate tax on payments and support filings in some regions, useful if payments and taxes should be tightly coupled for merchants using Stripe.

Open source alternatives to hellotax

  • Odoo Accounting — Open source ERP with accounting modules that can be extended for VAT reporting and integrated with custom workflows. Odoo requires configuration and possibly third-party modules to handle multi-country VAT nuances.
  • ERPNext — Open source business system with accounting features that can be adapted for VAT tracking, invoicing, and reporting across multiple regions. ERPNext is suitable for teams that can self-host and customize workflows.
  • Dolibarr — Open source ERP/CRM with accounting modules that can be used for VAT bookkeeping and invoicing; best suited to small teams willing to customize for multi-country reporting.

Frequently asked questions about hellotax

What countries does hellotax support for VAT registration?

hellotax supports VAT registration across EU member states. They handle country-specific registration processes and documentation through their local accountant network.

Does hellotax submit OSS returns on my behalf?

Yes, hellotax can prepare and submit OSS returns for you. The Digital Services Seller / OSS package includes ready-to-file OSS reports and submission handling as an optional service.

How does hellotax integrate with Shopify and WooCommerce?

hellotax integrates with major e-commerce platforms to import sales data automatically. Connecting these platforms feeds transaction data into the VAT automation software for reporting and reconciliation.

Is there a one-time fee for OSS registration with hellotax?

Yes, OSS registration is subject to a one-time processing fee of 149€. Additional country-specific costs may apply in certain jurisdictions.

Can I get local accountant support through hellotax for tax authority queries?

Yes, local tax accountants provided by hellotax can respond to tax authority inquiries and perform filings. That support is part of the service packages and is intended to reduce the burden of local compliance tasks.

Final verdict: hellotax

hellotax combines VAT automation software with a network of local tax accountants to cover EU VAT registration, OSS reporting, and filings in one coordinated service. Its strengths are clear registration workflows, OSS-ready reporting, and direct access to local accountants who can validate filings and respond to tax authorities.

Compared with Avalara, which is an enterprise-focused tax platform with broad global coverage and typically higher cost, hellotax is more narrowly focused on EU VAT for merchants and pairs software with hands-on local support that suits small to mid-market e-commerce businesses. For merchants who want an EU-focused partner that handles both automation and local filings, hellotax is a strong option; for enterprise global tax automation, Avalara remains a common alternative.

Overall, hellotax is well suited for online sellers expanding into the EU who prefer to combine a centralized VAT dashboard with local accountant expertise rather than managing country-by-country registrations and filings themselves. To evaluate how the packages map to your sales channels and countries, request a demo or a tailored quote via the hellotax contact page.