Not Legal Advice
This guide provides general information only and is not legal advice. Company formation requirements and regulations vary by country and change over time. Consult a qualified legal professional before making business decisions. Information current as of January 2025.
Sound familiar?
These challenges stop thousands of entrepreneurs from getting started. But they don't have to stop you.
- Sponsors need VAT invoices and proper documentation for their finance teams
- Ticketing platforms hold funds and make settlement complicated
- Cross-border events mean complex VAT rules on ticket sales
- Managing multiple revenue streams (tickets, sponsors, workshops) is accounting chaos
- PayPal and personal accounts don't cut it for serious events
Xolo Leap: Run your event business professionally
Xolo Leap
Run your event business professionally
From €79/month
- Company setup in 1-2 days
- Full accounting & bookkeeping
- Tax filing included
- Legal address & contact person
- Stripe & payment processor ready
- Professional sponsor invoicing
- Multi-currency for international events
- VAT compliance for ticket sales
- Expense tracking for venues & vendors
- Annual report handled
No credit card required
Event Revenue Streams
Ticket Sales
Direct sales or via platforms (Eventbrite, Tito, Lu.ma).
- • VAT rules depend on event location
- • Platform fees need proper accounting
- • Refunds and cancellations tracked
Sponsorships
Corporate sponsors paying for visibility, booths, speaking slots.
- • B2B invoicing (reverse charge for EU)
- • Often high-value, needs professional invoice
- • Multi-year or multi-event deals
Workshops & Add-ons
Pre-conference workshops, masterclasses, VIP experiences.
- • May have different VAT treatment
- • Separate pricing tiers
- • Instructor payments to track
Virtual & Hybrid
Online access tickets, recordings, virtual networking.
- • Digital service VAT rules apply
- • Global audience = complex compliance
- • OSS may apply for EU attendees
VAT for Events
Where is VAT Charged?
In-Person Event Tickets
VAT is charged where the event takes place. Conference in Berlin? German VAT. Event in Lisbon? Portuguese VAT. Regardless of where attendees are from.
Virtual Event Tickets
Treated as digital services. B2C: charge customer's country VAT. B2B: reverse charge applies. More complex than in-person.
Sponsorship Fees
Generally B2B services. EU sponsors with VAT number: reverse charge. Non-EU sponsors: no EU VAT. Simpler than ticket sales.
Ticketing Platforms
Platform as Payment Processor
Eventbrite, Tito — you're the merchant
- ⚠You handle VAT compliance
- ✓Lower platform fees
- ✓Funds settle to your account
- ⚠Need proper business entity
Direct Sales (Stripe)
Your own checkout or tools like Lu.ma
- ⚠Full VAT responsibility
- ✓Lowest fees
- ✓Stripe Tax helps with VAT
- ✓Full control over experience
Managing Event Expenses
Common Event Expenses
- •Venue rental
- •Catering & F&B
- •AV equipment & tech
- •Speaker fees & travel
- •Marketing & promotion
- •Printing & signage
- •Insurance
- •Staff & contractors
With Xolo Leap, upload receipts and invoices to the dashboard. Xolo handles categorization, VAT reclaim where applicable, and proper P&L reporting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before getting started
All information verified as of December 2025. Prices and features subject to change. Always verify current pricing with providers.
