Have you been unable to find the VAT number of a company? In this blog, we’ll tell you exactly how to find a company’s VAT number, so you have this crucial information to hand – whether you need it for claiming back VAT or to check another company’s validity.
A VAT registration number tells you if a company is in line with legal requirements and that they’re credible. The VAT number includes relevant country codes and up to 15 characters depending on location (9 in Great Britain). You may want to find a company’s VAT number to verify their legitimacy, or require it for your record keeping – no matter the reason, we’ll tell you how in our guide.
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Why Is Finding a Company VAT Number Important?
One of the reasons why locating the VAT number is important is that you may want to claim back VAT on supplies, in which case a valid VAT invoice is needed. Your claim could be rejected without a valid VAT number, which may result in a lot of admin that you don’t want!
Additionally, finding a valid VAT number for a company can prevent you from becoming a victim of fraud. It acts as an additional layer of security, telling you that the company is trustworthy. Fake companies try to take advantage of unsuspecting customers, so finding their VAT number can reassure you of their legitimacy.
Finding your own VAT number is also important for complying with tax regulations, fulfilling invoice requirements and staying in line with legal requirements to avoid any extra hassle. Having your number at hand makes any paperwork, audits and either reclaims or charging much easier.
We believe supporting businesses with tax and equipping them with necessary advice is essential. Established in 2015, Williamson & Croft deliver services focused on clients tax needs, aiming to help them grow and keep on top of financial requirements for their business.
Does Every Company Have a VAT Number?
If a company sells goods to countries with VAT, then they will have a VAT number. Even if their home country doesn’t use VAT, if the goods they sell get imported to countries that do, then they’ll need one. Navigating the complexities of cross border trade involves knowing how to find a company’s VAT number in order for the government to calculate how much import tax is owed on the goods.
Within the UK, all businesses who turnover £85,000 or more a year will be required to register for a VAT number. Some businesses may apply voluntarily despite not meeting the turnover, proving beneficial if they can claim back on VAT charges for business related expenses.
Where Can I Find a Company VAT Number?
Whether you need it for VAT reclamation purposes or simply for filing your own annual accounts, knowing how to find a company’s VAT number is indispensable.
There are a number of reasons you’ll want to access a company’s VAT number and also a number of ways to find a company’s VAT number – we’ve compiled a list of the easiest, quickest ways:
Invoices
The best place to look first is at an invoice supplied to you – if the company is VAT registered, then their unique number should be on the invoices you’ve received. However, if you’re unable to locate the VAT then you should contact the company as soon as possible with a request for a valid VAT invoice. This means you can reclaim the VAT they’ve charged you, which is impossible without the company’s number.
Government Database
Alternatively, HMRC has a VAT database of all VAT registered businesses on the GOV.UK website and a helpline you can phone on 0300 200 3700. You’ll need to make yourself aware of the company’s full name and location to be able to look them up on the database.
Contact the Company
Another option is contacting the company directly, so search for their contact information and find the accounting or tax department to inquire about the VAT number. It’s important to let them know what you need it for so they can give you the most accurate information available. They’re more likely to tell you if you can give valid reasoning, and if their tax information is public anyway.
Where Can I Find My Own Company’s VAT Number?
You may want access to your own company’s VAT number. If you’re struggling to find it, don’t panic. Using any of these methods should allow you to find what you’re looking for:
Check Your VAT Registration Certificate
If you want to find your own company VAT number, this will be located on the VAT registration certificate given to you by HMRC. You’ll need your own tax number for paying or reclaiming VAT, sending VAT returns to HMRC or when communicating with a supplier and people who want access to your number.
Contact HMRC
The safest bet is contacting HMRC. With a few details such as your company name and location they should be able to access it for you.
Look at Your VAT Returns
Your VAT return form that you send off to HMRC will include your company VAT number, so this is ideal if you can no longer find your registration certificate. This is a reliable document that will be easily accessible and a quick way to look for what you need.
Need Help with Finding a Company VAT Number? Contact Williamson & Croft
Williamson & Croft can do more for you than just let you know how to find a company’s VAT number. Our team of tax specialists work to ensure our clients are as tax efficient as possible, providing expert advice and high-quality service.
Opting to use our tax accountancy services cuts out the stress of calculating it yourself and guarantees that your company’s tax is expertly streamlined and managed. Get in touch to learn more or to ask any questions you may have for our team, we’d be happy to help!