VAT charge by non VAT registered tradesman

helmbarrie

I have had a kitchen fitted. The supplier of the kitchen has charged VAT on the kitchen cabinets and appliances. The tradesmen used were contracted by the supplier. The electrician used is VAT registered so I presume VAT is due on his bill. The kitchen fitter, plasterer and plumber are not VAT registered

The total bill for fitting ( all the separate bills from the tradesmen added together) has a VAT charge added. Can a 20% VAT charge be added if I am paying the the kitchen supplier for the work of non VAT registered contractors?

phill99

If your contract is with a company that charges vat, and they bill you for the total amount including fitting, then it they who are charging you vat, and not te individual sub-contractors.

They then pass this in to HMRC. The VAT status of the sub contractors is irrelevant.

They aren't having one over on you. This is perfectly normal practice.

Jaynne

If the company you are buying from is VAT registered then they have to charge you VAT on everything they provide. The only way round this is to pay the non VAT registered tradesmen separately however they will have to bill you separately too.

helmbarrie

Thank you Phill99 and Jayne for the explaination. Much appreciated.

vax2002

Anyone charging VAT must on request supply a VAT invoice that shows VAT a separate charge and have a valid VAT number.
To pay VAT where no vat number has been provided as an extra charge is assisting VAT fraud.
Before paying any VAT on anything demand a VAT invoice

helmbarrie

Thanks vax2002. I will be asking for the invoice with a VAT number

Jaynne

helmbarrie wrote: »

Thanks vax2002. I will be asking for the invoice with a VAT number

If they're VAT registered they legally have to include their VAT no and registered address. If it's not there you should assume they aren't VAT registered.

I don't see why you would do that though if your client base was mostly domestic, VAT only puts your price up and to the customer I can't think of a good reason to say you are VAT registered when you aren't.