What is covered in this video?
In this video, we explain how a normal return works in Shopify when your store is connected to EAS for VAT reporting.
The main point is that, in a normal return situation, you do not need to complete any extra VAT steps outside Shopify. You simply handle the return in your Shopify admin as usual, and EAS automatically collects the return information for VAT reporting.
1. The customer places an order
The video starts by showing a normal customer order in Shopify.
In the example, a customer buys two products and checks out with delivery to Austria. Once the order is completed and paid, the order appears in Shopify and is also received in the EAS dashboard.
In the EAS dashboard, you can open the order and review the details, including:
- merchandise cost
- VAT amount
- order information
- product details
- any special notices related to the order
2. Viewing the order in the EAS dashboard
After the order has been collected by EAS, it appears in the EAS dashboard.
Each order includes a section for special notices. This is where EAS displays important updates related to the order, such as:
- returns
- discounts
- corrections
- other post-sale changes
If a return is applied to the order, it will be shown in this section. This makes it easy to see at a glance that the order has been updated after the original sale.
3. Starting the return in Shopify
To process a normal return, you start the return directly in your Shopify admin.
In the example shown in the video, only one item from the original order is returned. Shopify automatically calculates the refund amount for the returned item.
At this stage, you may also need to add return details, such as a tracking number, depending on your Shopify setup and return process.
4. Processing the refund
After preparing the return, the final step in Shopify is to click Process and refund.
This is an important step. The return is not completed until the refund has been processed.
Before completing the refund, Shopify allows you to review or adjust the refund amount. In a normal return, Shopify calculates the amount automatically based on the returned item.
You can also choose to refund shipping if needed. If shipping is refunded, it will be handled in the same way as the product refund for VAT purposes.
5. EAS automatically collects the return
Once the return has been processed in Shopify, EAS automatically collects the return information.
In the EAS dashboard, the order will update to show that one item has been returned. You will also be able to open the return section to see the details of the returned item and the VAT connected to the return.
This allows the return to be included correctly in VAT reporting.
6. Shopify is updated with a confirmation note
After EAS has collected the return information, EAS sends a confirmation back to Shopify.
You can see this confirmation in the Shopify order notes. This note means that EAS has collected the return successfully.
When you see this statement in Shopify, everything is handled correctly and no further action is required from your side for that return.
7. VAT reimbursement for the return
When EAS collects the return, the VAT connected to the returned item is taken into account.
This means the VAT can be reimbursed to you through the VAT reporting process, depending on the reporting period and applicable VAT rules.
Summary
For a normal Shopify return, the process is simple:
- process the return in Shopify as usual
- select the item or items being returned
- review the refund amount
- click Process and refund
- EAS automatically collects the return
- EAS updates the order in the dashboard
- Shopify receives a confirmation note
- the VAT connected to the return is included in the reporting process
In a normal return situation, no additional manual VAT action is needed. Once the return has been processed in Shopify and collected by EAS, the return is handled automatically for VAT reporting.