When does the 30-day VAT rule apply for a password-protected site in Italy?

[Expcic]

Hi everybody! I am starting a new site and i am still building it. At the moment i do not have any VAT code so i would like to obtain it when i have the site ready. In italy a VAT code is needed if you have a store active for more than 30 days. Considering above, when can i consider the site opened? At the moment it is not opened to public because it is protected by password but i ask you:i have to consider the 30 days already started even if the site is protected with password? Thanks for your support

[Victor]

Hi @Expcic,

Thank you for getting in touch. Are you able to provide any documentation that states that VAT registration is required within 30 days of starting an online store in Italy? I am not aware if this is the case or not. If this is indeed true, then it would not be for Shopify to define when a store is deemed opened or active by the Italian tax authorities—I would recommend speaking to a tax professional to confirm this if you are unsure, although my presumption would be that if store is password-protected and you are not accepting orders then it is not active.

Kind regards,

Victor | Shopify Social Care