Skip the typical software localization beginner's traps

Author: Renate Reinartz

Tax System

If you produce an accounting application, keep in mind that tax systems are different in many countries. In the EU, for example, a gross tax is named a value-added tax. There is no local sales tax.

VAT in EU

BTW since July 2003 you have to collect European VAT ids from customers, if you ship software to EU countries, or charge them the vat of the EU country you are registered in. An analog tax collecting system will be established in other countries, so be prepared.

More software localization traps

1. Languages
2. Character sets
3. Code pages
4. Numbers
5. Currencies
6. Dates
7. Time
8. List separator
9. Measurements
10. Paper format
11. Phone number
12. Sort order
13. Tax
14. States
15. Other traps
16. Conclusion