My Self Employed / Assesment - UTR - Is it confidential?

darkstar_2

Hi, this is a bit of an unusual one,

I have been offered a contract with a company in Germany,
to sell online services, voiceovers, music etc
but they say they require my UTR to process sales of any products or services I provide.
This is because it is in effect being "sold" in Germany and German tax requires a tax number for each sale.

They have requested a fair amount of other details too.
Just wondering how much I must divulge to get some work in Europe?
Dont want to give out too much info in these days of scam-araderie.

Is my UTR (unique tax reference) just between me and the HRH Queen and Customs?

Any answers would be gratefully appreciated

fengirl_2

Yes, your UTR is your private reference number, no one else's business. Your NI number is also a tax reference - will they accept that?
A UTR doesn't prove you are self employed, it just proves you self assess, which could be for any number of reasons.

Bean_Counter

As a construction company, we give out our UTR all the time for verification under the CIS scheme (and receive other UTR / NINOs.)

nikki2804

Some companies ask for a NI number, some for a UTR.

As someone has stated they need to provide there UTR for the CIS scheme. A UTR is not a number that you "must keep private" it is exactly like your NI number in that respect i.e you would disclose it to an employer but not advertise it to Mr Smith down the pub.

Personally wouldn't have any problems providing it.

Oh and if they are using a system to verify you then they could find your UTR number by using the NI number (same as contractors can)