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How do you get a VAT number?

Author

Olivia Shea

Updated on March 14, 2026

How do you get a VAT number?

Once you have registered for VAT, either online or using the paper form VAT1, HMRC states that you can expect to receive your VAT registration certificate, which contains your VAT number, in around one month from the date of submission. It expects to process 70% of applications within just 10 working days.

Keeping this in consideration, how do I get my VAT number?

Checking a VAT number is validHMRC has a complete database of VAT-registered businesses, so if you're in any doubt about a registration number you should call their VAT helpline on 0300 200 3700.

Additionally, is the VAT number the same as tax ID? A VAT number is a registered tax identification number in tax systems that use Value-Added Tax (VAT). Important note: A VAT number is not the same as a local tax number or tax ID. A VAT number is exclusively for the Value-Added Tax scheme.

Similarly, it is asked, how long does it take to get a VAT number?

around one month

How do I find my VAT number UK?

Call the HMRC VAT HelplineOne option, you have to find out whether the VAT registration number you have been given is valid, is to call the HMRC VAT Helpline on 0300 200 3700 – between 8am and 6pm during the week.

Do I have a VAT number?

When your business income reaches the VAT registration threshold, you will need to consider whether you need to register for VAT. For example, if your VAT taxable turnover exceeds £85,000 for the twelve months to 31 August 2019, you need to register for VAT by 30 September 2019.

How do I get a VAT Certificate?

How to view your VAT certificate online in 2019
  1. Step 1 – Sign In. Sign in to your Government Gateway account via the HMRC website.
  2. Step 2 – Find your VAT account.
  3. Step 3 – View your VAT certificate.
  4. Step 4 – View, save or print.

Can you check a company's VAT number?

You can only check the VAT number for UK registered businesses. Use the online VAT information exchange system (VIES) – With the help of the VAT information exchange system (VIES), you can check the validity of a VAT registered number for any business registered in the European Union (EU).

How many digits is a VAT number?

VAT numbers of non-EU countries. 11 digit number formed from a 9 digit unique identifier and two prefix check digits. The two leading digits (the check digits) will be derived from the subsequent 9 digits using a modulus 89 check digit calculation.

Do all companies have a VAT number?

You may also decide to register for VAT even if you don't expect to reach the threshold. Most contractors who run limited companies are registered for VAT. Not only does it give a professional impression to be VAT registered, but it will also enable you to reclaim any VAT you incur (such as computer equipment).

What does a VAT number look like?

UK VAT numbers are 9 digits long, with the first two letters indicating the country code of the registered business. For example, for Great Britain (UK), the first two digits of the VAT code are GB.

What is the fastest way to get a VAT number?

Once you have registered for VAT, either online or using the paper form VAT1, HMRC states that you can expect to receive your VAT registration certificate, which contains your VAT number, in around one month from the date of submission. It expects to process 70% of applications within just 10 working days.

Is it better to be VAT registered?

Potentially higher costs. As a VAT registered business you are obliged to charge VAT on any relevant goods or services. Of course, you can also reclaim the VAT you pay – but if your output tax (the VAT you charge) exceeds your input tax (the VAT you pay), you will have to pay the difference to HMRC.

When should you be VAT registered?

VAT Registration is legally required when taxable turnover (i.e. overall takings, not 'profit') for the previous 12 months exceeds £85,000 (2019-20), or it is expected to exceed this figure in the next 30 days.

What must your turnover be to register for VAT?

Small businesses and VAT
  1. It is mandatory for any business to register for VAT if the income earned in any consecutive twelve month period exceeded or is likely to exceed R1 million?.
  2. Any business may choose to register voluntarily if the income earned, in the past twelve month period, exceeded R50 000.

How do I become VAT registered?

If you want to register for VAT then this can be done online in most cases (or by using paper form VAT1). Before you log on and begin your registration, you need the following information to hand: Your Unique Tax Reference. This is a ten-digit number you'll have been sent when registering to pay Corporation Tax.

Do I need to be registered for VAT?

If during the course of any 12 months, your 'taxable supplies' exceed the VAT registration threshold, you are legally obliged to register for VAT. 'Taxable supplies' are anything that is subject to VAT. So, if your turnover of taxable supplies exceeds £85,000, or if you know that it will, you must register.

Why do you need to be VAT registered?

On the plus side, becoming VAT registered means that: You can reclaim any VAT that you are charged when you pay for goods and services. If you're not registered for VAT, other companies will know that your turnover is below a certain level and they may choose to make assumptions about your business based on that.

Do I need a VAT number to buy from Europe?

Domestic purchases of goods do not oblige you to register for VAT in any EU country. In a few countries, you still need to register for VAT due to purchases of goods when the domestic reverse charge applies.

Is a VAT number the same as an EIN number?

Hi Ian, Both are the same but the name varies depending on where you are located. In the US, it is often referred to as tax ID, resellers ID, sales tax ID while in the UK and most of the Asian countries it is referred as VAT ID. In Australia and New Zealand, it is called an ABN or GST registration.

Do I need a VAT number?

A VAT number is a government-issued identifier that only applies to companies that assess or reclaim VAT. So if you're traveling for tourism or other leisure purposes – or if you run a company that operates underneath the local government threshold for VAT – you don't need a VAT number yourself.

What means VAT number?

A value added tax identification number or VAT identification number (VATIN) is an identifier used in many countries, including the countries of the European Union, for value added tax purposes. The identifiers are composed of numeric digits in most countries, but in some countries they may contain letters.

Is VAT registration number and TIN number same?

TIN stands for Taxpayer Identification Number, is unique number allotted by Commercial tax department of respective State. It is an eleven digit number to be mentioned in all VAT transactions and correspondence. TIN number is used to identify dealers registered under VAT.

Do I need a VAT number in the US?

You do not need a VAT number if you live in the States. You do need a VAT number if you live in the EU, regardless of your nationality. As an American you do not need a VAT-number. VAT does not exist in the US.

How do I find my VAT registration number UK?

Checking a VAT number is valid
HMRC has a complete database of VAT-registered businesses, so if you're in any doubt about a registration number you should call their VAT helpline on 0300 200 3700.

How do I check if a VAT number is valid EU?

Checks on the validity of a customer's number should be made using the Europa website. When making an enquiry on the Europa website you must identify yourself by entering your own VAT registration number and print out a record of the date and time that the enquiry was made and the result of the enquiry.

What does a UK VAT number look like?

UK VAT numbers are 9 digits long, with the first two letters indicating the country code of the registered business. For example, for Great Britain (UK), the first two digits of the VAT code are GB. CY – Cyprus – 9 characters – last character always a letter.

How do I find out my tax number?

If you have forgotten your tax number you can request it from SARS in various ways: You can get it on eFiling if you are registered as an eFiler. All you need to do is log on and check your number. You can request it verbally from the SARS Contact Centre on 0800 00 7277.

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