Where to find your VAT registration number
In your business tax account
- Sign in to your HMRC business tax account.
- Open your VAT account, where the registration number is shown.
On letters and returns
- Look for the letter HMRC sent when you registered. It gives your VAT number, your effective date of registration and when your first VAT Return is due.
- Check your VAT registration certificate, or any invoice you've issued since registering.
From your accountant
- If an accountant registered you or files your VAT Returns, they hold the number on file.
What it looks like
A 9-digit number on HMRC's registration letter and on every VAT invoice the business issues.
If you've lost it
- Sign in to your VAT online account, or look at the invoices you've issued.
- Ask your accountant if they deal with your VAT.
- If you still can't find it, contact HMRC's VAT general enquiries helpline.
Before your number arrives
You can't show VAT on an invoice until you have your VAT number. HMRC's guidance is to raise your prices to cover the VAT you'll owe, then reissue the invoices showing VAT once the number arrives.
Your effective date of registration, on the same letter, is the date from which you charge VAT on sales and can reclaim VAT on purchases. Set up your VAT online account as soon as the number arrives. HMRC enrols you for Making Tax Digital for VAT unless you're exempt.
Checking a supplier's or customer's VAT number
HMRC's Check a UK VAT number service tells you whether a number is valid and shows the name and address of the business it's registered to. You can't search by business name: you need the number, usually from an invoice, receipt or website.
If you're VAT-registered yourself, the service can also give you proof of when you checked a number.
Using it to pay
Your 9-digit VAT number, without spaces, is the payment reference when you pay a VAT bill. A surcharge or penalty uses a different reference, starting with X, from HMRC's letter.
Related
What else will you need?
- VAT1VAT1 VAT registrationVAT1 is HMRC's paper application to register for VAT.
- TemplateInvoice templateAn invoice must show a unique number, your business name and address, the customer's name and address, a description of what you supplied, the supply and invoice dates, and the total owed.PDFWordExcel
- Where to find itFind your HMRC payment referenceEach tax has its own HMRC payment reference.
- ChecklistVAT registration checklistYou must register for VAT if your taxable turnover for the last 12 months went over £90,000, or you expect it to in the next 30 days.PDF
Rather we did it?
Countify can handle this for you, for a fixed fee agreed upfront.
Questions
Frequently asked questions.
How many digits is a UK VAT number?
Nine. HMRC sends it by post when you register.
Can I find a business's VAT number from its name?
No. HMRC's checking service works from the number, not the name. Ask the business, or look on its invoices, receipts or website.
I've applied but haven't heard back. Can I check my own number?
No. The checking service can't be used while your application is still waiting for HMRC's decision.
Checked against GOV.UK on · Reviewed by Kamran Ishaq FCCA, Founder & CEO, on .
Sources: Register for VAT: how to register (opens in a new tab) (HM Revenue & Customs); Check a UK VAT number (opens in a new tab) (HM Revenue & Customs); Pay your VAT bill: pay using another payment method (opens in a new tab) (HM Revenue & Customs); Sign in to your HMRC business tax account (opens in a new tab) (HM Revenue & Customs).
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Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (opens in a new tab).