An online shop is a process, not only a design. Before touching WooCommerce, write down how an order moves from payment to delivery.
Decide who owns each part of:
1. payments 2. delivery 3. VAT 4. refunds 5. customer emails
> Tax note > > This article is general technical information, not tax advice. Confirm your VAT treatment with Revenue or a qualified accountant before configuring your store.
Choose payment methods
Common online payment options include:
• debit and credit cards • Apple Pay • Google Pay • PayPal • other local or buy-now-pay-later methods
Compare:
• processing fees • payout schedule • refund workflow • chargebacks • supported countries • integration quality
Keep checkout secure
The payment provider should handle sensitive card processing through a supported integration.
Use:
• HTTPS • current plugins/apps • strong admin security • restricted permissions • backups
Decide your delivery model
Before building shipping rules, write them down.
Questions include:
• Ireland only or international? • flat rate or calculated shipping? • free shipping threshold? • local collection? • different rates by weight? • different rates by product?
Make delivery visible
Customers should know:
• estimated delivery time • shipping cost • collection options • excluded regions • returns process
Do not hide essential costs until the final checkout step if they can be explained earlier.
Irish VAT
Revenue lists Ireland's standard VAT rate as 23% from 1 January 2026, with reduced rates applying to specific goods and services.
The correct rate depends on what you sell.
Do not configure every product at 23% simply because it is the standard rate.
Selling to consumers in other EU countries
EU ecommerce VAT rules can apply to cross-border B2C sales.
Revenue's One-Stop Shop (OSS) can simplify reporting eligible cross-border EU VAT through one electronic return.
Whether you need OSS and which country rate applies depends on your circumstances.
Imports and IOSS
For eligible low-value imports, the Import One Stop Shop can allow VAT to be collected at checkout.
Revenue also changed customs rules from 1 July 2026, including a €3 Customs Duty charge per line item on certain consignments valued at €150 or less coming from outside the EU.
If your business imports or dropships goods, get current professional advice.
Configure the store only after the tax rules are known
The correct order is:
text Business/tax decision ↓ Written rule ↓ Store configuration ↓ Test order ↓ Accounting check
The ecommerce platform should implement the rules; it should not decide them for you.
Test before launch
Place test orders covering:
• normal Irish delivery • free-shipping threshold • coupon • refund • different VAT class • international destination if enabled • failed payment
Check both the customer email and back-office order.
Need help building an Irish online shop?
SiteForge can configure the WordPress/WooCommerce side once your commercial and tax requirements are clear.
Request a website quote.
Sources
• Revenue: Current VAT rates • Revenue: VAT eCommerce • Revenue: Union One-Stop Shop • Revenue: Import One Stop Shop
Returns, consumer information and store policies
Payments and VAT are not the only compliance considerations.
An Irish online store may also need clear information about:
• seller identity • prices • delivery • returns • cancellation rights • privacy • cookies
The exact legal requirements depend on what you sell and who you sell to. Obtain appropriate legal advice instead of copying another website's policy.
Keep tax configuration documented
Record why each product has a particular tax class.
That makes future maintenance easier when:
• VAT rates change • new products are added • the business expands into another country • an accountant reviews the store
Frequently Asked Questions
Is every Irish online sale charged at 23% VAT?
No. 23% is the standard Irish rate in 2026, but reduced, zero or exempt treatment can apply depending on the goods or services and the transaction.
Does WooCommerce calculate my legal VAT obligations automatically?
WooCommerce can calculate tax according to configured rules. The business still needs to determine which rules are legally correct.
What is OSS?
The EU One-Stop Shop can simplify VAT reporting for eligible cross-border B2C supplies within the EU through a single Member State registration and return.
Should delivery charges have VAT?
VAT treatment of delivery can depend on the underlying transaction. Confirm the correct accounting treatment with Revenue or your accountant.