How to Check VAT Registrations
Where the business has quoted a VAT registration number
If a company has quoted a VAT registration number you can check that it is valid here:
- VIES VAT number validation (covers UK and all other EU countries)
Where you have the name and address of the business
Unfortunately, there is no online register/directory to find the VAT number when you know the name and address of the company and want to check if it is VAT registered. If you ring up HMRC it will not give out a VAT registration number or even confirm that a company is VAT registered if you do not quote the VAT registratiom number.[1] You can make a complaint to HMRC if you suspect a company is not registered for VAT when you believe it ought to be but you will not be told what the outcome of the compliant is.[1] HMRC is not required to supply VAT registration information about individual companies under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.[2]
A VAT invoice must show a company's VAT registration number.[3] Companies are required to provide a VAT invoice when supplying goods or services to another VAT registered customer[4] Unfortunately, an ordinary member of the public cannot insist on a VAT invoice when making a purchase.
Writing to the business in question and asking for the VAT registration number is always an option. In many cases business will publish the VAT numbers on their own websites.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Secret life of the VAT number: Finding out whether a company is registered to collect excise tax proves to be far from simple, Independent
- ↑ "When HMRC was created in April 2005, Parliament decided that any information held for an HMRC function that identifies a 'person', (including legal entities such as limited companies), or which would enable their identity to be deduced, is exempt from disclosure under the FOI regime", Information we will not disclose under FOI
- ↑ What a VAT invoice must show, HMRC
- ↑ "If you are registered for VAT you must give any VAT-registered customers a VAT invoice for any standard-rated or reduced-rated goods or services you sell them." When a VAT invoice must not be issued
