This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. To find out more about cookies on this website and how to delete cookies, see our Cookie Policy.
Analytics

Tools which collect anonymous data to enable us to see how visitors use our site and how it performs. We use this to improve our products, services and user experience.

Essential

Tools that enable essential services and functionality, including identity verification, service continuity and site security.

Where Taxpayers and Advisers Meet

How to find out if a company is vat registered

Entryvisa
Posts:8
Joined:Wed Aug 17, 2016 3:02 pm
How to find out if a company is vat registered

Postby Entryvisa » Wed Aug 17, 2016 3:18 pm

I have had some electrical work carried out at my property by a limited company. When we were quoted for the work it was £*** +Vat. However, the invoice he has sent to us has no vat registration number and he has entered 0 in the vat amount. I have asked him for a vat invoice but he has refused, saying that he has sent me everything he is required to send me in accordance with his governing body. He carried out additional work which I am disputing, so he is saying that he will not send anything else to me until I have paid for the extra work. The initial work has been paid for in full. Is he allowed to do this? How can I find out if he is vat registered?

Feedback
Posts:351
Joined:Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:26 am

Re: How to find out if a company is vat registered

Postby Feedback » Wed Aug 17, 2016 9:16 pm

does the quote say vat will be charged where applicable? (or something similar)

why does it matter what you pay him. you have an invoice and pay that amount. the burden to account correctly falls on the taxpayer and not you

bd6759
Posts:4262
Joined:Sat Feb 01, 2014 3:26 pm

Re: How to find out if a company is vat registered

Postby bd6759 » Thu Aug 18, 2016 7:09 am

For the initial work, did you pay £*** or £*** + vat?

section 44
Posts:4467
Joined:Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:47 pm

Re: How to find out if a company is vat registered

Postby section 44 » Thu Aug 18, 2016 9:21 am

why does it matter what you pay him.
so you'd be indifferent whether you say pay £100 or £120 to somebody?

Entryvisa
Posts:8
Joined:Wed Aug 17, 2016 3:02 pm

Re: How to find out if a company is vat registered

Postby Entryvisa » Thu Aug 18, 2016 11:32 am

There is no Vat on his invoice just £762 total. His emailed quote however says £635 + Vat, which totals £762. We feel we have been ripped off by him already as his prices are over inflated. We have paid for this work, but he did other work on the day that he should have found when he surveyed the job initially ( this extra work prevented him completing his original job). He now wants a stupid amount of money off us and is taking us to small claims court.

section 44
Posts:4467
Joined:Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:47 pm

Re: How to find out if a company is vat registered

Postby section 44 » Thu Aug 18, 2016 2:06 pm

We feel we have been ripped off by him already as his prices are over inflated.
Does he not obey pricing controls comrade?

This is a contractual, rather than a VAT, issue because you are only required to pay the "VAT" if he is VAT registered, such that the VAT is properly due. If you refuse to pay and he seeks to take action to enforce recovery of the debt then the onus should be on him to demonstrate that the VAT is due and hence that he is VAT registered. That should be a relatively simple binary matter to deal with. Do you feel confident enough to call his bluff?

For what its worth, it doesn't sound unreasonable to insist that he provides his VAT registration number (which you can then validate online) before you pay any VAT.

Entryvisa
Posts:8
Joined:Wed Aug 17, 2016 3:02 pm

Re: How to find out if a company is vat registered

Postby Entryvisa » Thu Aug 18, 2016 3:20 pm

He point blank refuses to send anything to us until he receives payment for the second invoice

section 44
Posts:4467
Joined:Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:47 pm

Re: How to find out if a company is vat registered

Postby section 44 » Thu Aug 18, 2016 3:58 pm

If you're confident of your position then pay him the net amount only and put the onus on him to demonstrate that VAT is also due

maths
Posts:8507
Joined:Wed Aug 06, 2008 3:25 pm

Re: How to find out if a company is vat registered

Postby maths » Thu Aug 18, 2016 5:32 pm

He is required on any invoice for work done to show separately any VAT charged (assuming of course he is VAT registered). Simply invoicing a single amount claiming VAT has been included is not sufficient.

It s also necessary on any invoice that his VAT number is clearly shown.

Suggest that you ask him to confirm in writing:

1. that he is VAT registered.
2. his VAT number
3. whether VAT was included in his invoice.

Point out that should he fail to answer all three points in the next 7 days you intend to check with HM Customs as to whether he is registered.

If he is registered he will happily deal with the above points. If he isn't he will panic.

section 44
Posts:4467
Joined:Thu Oct 30, 2008 12:47 pm

Re: How to find out if a company is vat registered

Postby section 44 » Fri Aug 19, 2016 9:35 am

He is required on any invoice for work done to show separately any VAT charged
What requirement?

Presumably Entryvisa isn't a taxable person. I'm not aware of any requirement under VAT law relating to invoice where the customer isn't a taxable person.


Return to “VAT & Excise Duties”