How To Find A VAT Number By Company Name

Value-added tax (VAT) is a 20% consumption tax levied against each stage of the supply chain, generating government revenue to fund public services, such as healthcare, education and infrastructure. Businesses need not charge VAT until they reach an income threshold of £90,000 (although they can voluntarily apply). At this point, they must become registered for VAT and given a VAT number, which is essential to know for some business ventures.

But how would you find a company’s VAT number via its name? In this article, RealBusiness will outline if this is possible, alternative methods to finding a VAT number, why you may need to, and more.

Can you find a company’s VAT number using its company name?

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is no – there is no official tool to find a company’s VAT number via its company name.

It’s a common belief that you can use a company’s house to search for the VAT number via company name, but that’s not the case. All you can use that website for is to confirm the full legal name of the company, check the company status (active/dissolved), check company number and view accounts and turnover. This all only serves to verify that a company has a VAT number but not what it is.

Where do you find a company’s VAT number?

There are several ways to find a company’s VAT number, ranked in order of likelihood:

1. VAT Invoices – Invoices for business transactions will have their VAT number displayed near the top, or in the footer, of the document.
2. Ask the company directly – Asking for the company’s VAT number directly is a straightforward method and unlikely to be denied, as they understand it’s needed for invoicing and procurement.
3. Business website – Some businesses decide to publish their VAT registration number in one of several key places, such as the website footer, their “about us” or “contact us” pages, or even in their terms and conditions.
4. Company letterheads/email signatures – Correspondence of a professional tone from companies registered for VAT may include the number.
5. Business directories – This is an unreliable method. Few directories list the VAT number, and information is often outdated or incomplete.

There is no official tool to determine for sure, meaning you’re unlikely to find a company’s VAT number unless you’re in business with them.

Why and how should I verify VAT numbers?

The reason why you should verify VAT numbers is simple – to protect yourself and reclaim VAT. You cannot reclaim any VAT unless your supplier’s VAT registration number is legitimate. Plus, by authenticating a company’s VAT number, you ensure that you’re not being charged extra.

The following are two surefire VAT number verification methods:

1. HMRC VAT number checker – This is the online VAT lookup tool to confirm UK company numbers, although it’s purely for verification services. You can find the system here.
2. VAT information exchange system (VIES) – This is the VAT number verification service for European countries through the European Union (EU).

Why would you need a company’s VAT number?

A VAT number is required mostly by tax authorities to track all VAT-related transactions (sales, purchases, returns, refunds) for accurate taxation. That being said, one business may need another business’s VAT number for the following reasons:

1. Invoices – If you do business with a company, you need their VAT details to ensure proper taxation.
2. Reclaiming VAT – If you’re registered for VAT, and you have bought goods and services, you need the supplier’s VAT registration number when filing VAT returns.
3. To verify legitimacy – Only VAT-registered businesses are legally allowed to charge VAT on goods and services, meaning you can’t reclaim VAT for those who don’t have it. Not only that, but having VAT is a sign of legitimacy, as it’s safe to assume they meet minimum legal standards.
4. Cross-border transactions – Intra-EU transactions have a zero-VAT rate, so long as you have their VAT number.
5. Legal compliance – Charging VAT where it is applicable is mandatory.

How is VAT normally charged?

Both EU and UK VAT-registration numbers, rates and total charged value are required to be shown on any invoice for applicable companies.

For consumers, the VAT is added at the shelf level, meaning paying VAT is automatic.

But for business to business transactions:

• Set the net price – For example, excluding VAT, a product may be £100.
• Calculate VAT – £100 x 20% = £20 VAt payment.
• Add it to the total – £100 + £20 VAT = £120 total.
• Issue invoice – Generate the invoice, which will include:
  • Unique invoice number – All invoice numbers have a singular, unique invoice number.
  • Date of issuance – The date that the invoice was created.
  • Tax point (time of supply) – Usually the same as the invoice date, unless payment or delivery occurred earlier.
  • Your business name and address – Self-explanatory.
  • Your VAT registration number – You will need to provide your own VAT number. If you do not know already, your VAT registration certificate will be sent to you by the HMRC. If you are having issues finding it, consider visiting the HMRC VAT helpline or your online account.
  • Customer’s name and address – Self-explanatory.
  • Description of goods or services supplied – You only need enough detail to identify what was sold.
  • Quantity of goods or extent of services – Either in unit counts or periods.
  • Unit price (excluding VAT) – Price of a unit.
  • Net amount (excluding VAT) – The total amount before VAT is applied.
  • VAT rate – It will be 20% as a standard, but can be 5% or 0% depending on goods or services.
  • Total VAT charged – As explained above, to get this amount, multiply the net amount by the VAT rate.
  • Total amount payable (including tax) – The final sum.

When should you disclose your business’s VAT number?

The following are situations in which you should disclose your business’s VAT number:

1. On VAT invoices – Legally required if you charge VAT. Show them clearly on every invoice to customers.
2. When requested by a VAT-registered customer or supplier – In business-to-business transactions, you must give your business’s VAT number so that they can verify or reclaim.
3. On your website – It is not required, but when trading online, it’s standard practice to list your VAT number clearly on your website.
4. Official documentation – Include your VAT number on quotes, contracts, purchase orders, credit notes and receipts when VAT is involved.
5. When dealing with cross-border EU trade – If your business conducts intra-EU transactions, give your VAT registration number to apply a zero rate.
6. During customs declaration – For imports/exports (especially when involving Northern Ireland or EU countries).

When do I need to register for VAT?

You must become registered for VAT when:

• Taxable turnover meets VAT threshold – The VAT registration threshold of 2024/2025 is £90,000, and if you exceed it within the past 12 months, you must register within 30 days.
• You expect to meet the VAT threshold in the next 30 days – You must register immediately if you are certain you will go over £90,000 in the next month.
• (Northern Ireland only) You received goods from the EU worth more than £90,000
• You sell digital services to the EU – If you provide digital products or services to the EU, you may need to register for the non-union VAT scheme.
• You want to register voluntarily – You can become registered for VAT and receive a VAT number before hitting the threshold to take advantage of the increased legitimacy that comes with being VAT-registered.

Conclusion

Overall, there is sadly no way to find a company’s VAT number through their company name alone. It is best to directly ask for a company’s VAT number and then verify their VAT status afterwards. There is no reason that a company might want to hide their VAT number for you unless they are operating fraudulently.

FAQ – What happens if you apply VAT incorrectly, or not at all?

It depends on the nature and extent of the error.

Take a look at the following scenarios:

• Applying when not registered for VAT – Charging VAT while knowingly unregistered is considered fraud, as that money is not legally reserved for HMRC. New businesses may assume they need to charge VAT without checking. Isolated incidents may result in corrections and educations, especially if the company still intends to allocate their tax burden. Widespread, repeated charging may lead to penalties, forced repayments to customers/HMRC, and potential prosecution.
• Charging VAT at the wrong rate – Careless errors, such as using a standard rate of 20% on reduced rate or zero-rated items, are fairly common. These can be corrected quickly to amend VAT returns, but larger and recurring misapplications that are not actioned may trigger interests, penalties and audits. Lower rates are applied to act as incentives for change, and this compromises that intention.
• Failing to charge VAT – This action, when done as negligent oversight (such as not registering after the threshold), is usually treated lightly – but avoidance, such as concealing reaching turnover threshold, can result in backdated assessments, penalties and interest.
• Incorrect VAT invoices – This can be as innocent as an administrative error, which is resolved through correction, to systematic failure, which is treated as non-compliance. Incorrect VAT invoices can lead to complaints from companies who fail to claim VAT refunds as a result.

FAQ – What do you do when a company fails or refuses to give a VAT number?

Under these circumstances, there isn’t much you can do, except for:

• Make it clear that it’s needed – Write them again and stress that if they are a VAT-registered business, then you need the VAT number to make the purchase and generate an invoice. VAT compliance is punishable by the HMRC.
• Refuse to pay VAT without the number – Charging without giving a VAT number simply can’t work. That being said, interestingly enough, so long as you have proof that they are refusing to give a valid VAT number, you can pay all but the VAT amount.
• Do not reclaim VAT – If you have already paid the amount without the VAT number, do not try to reclaim VAT. This will work out badly.
• Report the company to HMRC – Whilst you are under no obligation to do so, it may be a good idea to report them to HMRC, as this may indicate fraud.
• Reconsidering trade – A business not wanting to give their EU or UK VAT number puts business transactions in a grey area that may not be worth it.

FAQ – What do you do when given an invalid VAT number?

If the VAT number is invalid, take the following steps:

1. Double-check – Do your due diligence in double-checking in case the correct VAT number has just been entered incorrectly.
2. Ask business’s VAT number confirmation – Request that they re-send their VAT registration number whilst notifying them of the error.
3. Verify VAT again – Re-check using either HMRC’s or VIES’s checker.
4. Refuse to pay VAT portion – In the event of failing to ensure that the VAT number is valid, do not pay the VAT.
5. Do not pursue VAT returns – If no VAT is charged, you should not attempt to reclaim it.