A business operating in the UK under Value Added Tax (VAT) requires a distinct VAT number for identification. To meet tax requirements and conduct valid invoicing, businesses must maintain a VAT number that helps verify their authenticity. Multiple techniques exist to obtain a company's VAT number. This article will briefly discuss how to find a VAT number for a company in the United Kingdom.
What is a VAT Number?
A UK VAT number begins with "GB" and contains nine digits that HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) provides to eligible businesses. The VAT number automatically appears on official records and comes from HMRC to businesses that meet their registration threshold of £90,000 taxable turnover.Let’s Discuss Your Needs
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How to Find a VAT Number for a Company?
Finding a VAT number depends on your reasons for seeking information and the amount of details you have. When searching for how to find a VAT number for a company the following approaches work best:Check the Company’s Invoices or Receipts
All VAT-registered UK businesses must display their VAT number on their invoices as well as receipts. Past invoices from business transactions should reveal the VAT number when performing checks on companies with which you have worked previously. Obtaining the information through this method represents the easiest and speediest approach.Visit the Company’s Official Website
Businesses usually disclose their VAT number on their official website through the ‘About Us’, ‘Contact’, or ‘Terms and Conditions’ web pages. Verify registration information by checking the website's footer, as certain businesses include this data in that section. Large corporations maintain separate 'Legal' or 'Corporate Information' sections for disclosing their registration details in their official website content.Use the HMRC VAT Number Validation Tool
The HMRC maintains an online system that lets users verify VAT number authenticity. You should consider using this tool when you have a VAT number to verify its correctness. You can access it here at the government's website:Search the Companies House Register
UK-registered businesses maintain their records on Companies House databases. Businesses usually do not display VAT numbers but you can locate company information to start contacting them through direct channels. The register presents details about company directors as well as registered addresses and financial statements. Find companies through this link: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.ukContact the Company Directly
You can request the VAT number from the company's customer service or accounts department when searching methods fail. The company will provide their VAT number for valid business purposes after presenting sufficient justification. You need to provide a valid reason for needing the VAT number whenever contacting personnel about such requests especially when acting as a supplier or customer.Use the VAT Information Exchange System (VIES) for EU Companies
You can verify a European Union company VAT number at https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/#/vat-validation. This online tool lets you determine if an EU VAT number is accurately linked to a legitimate business in the region. You can learn more about VAT, by reading this article:Why is a VAT Number Important?
While learning how to find a VAT number for a company it is essential to know why it is important. The VAT number of a company is very important for:- Ensuring correct VAT invoicing
- Checking if a firm is a VAT-registered trader
- Avoiding potential tax fraud
- Reclaiming VAT on qualifying purchases
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