VAT receipt, how strict are HMRC

Legacy_user

I get Vat invoices from suppliers okay, however tonight bought a sat nav in Tesco for business use. Going to claim the VAT back.

The Tesco receipt however doesn't mention VAT.
Just looks like this:
http://chathost.co.uk/images/receipt.jpg


What do I do, is the receipt acceptable enough on the terms that its pretty obvious Tesco are a VAT registered company and there is VAT on sat navs? The item on the receipt says "Sat nav"

stone7

Your receipt is perfectly acceptable.

paddyrg

Ask Tesco for their VAT number and write it on by hand?

Wywth

You will find the VAT number on the reverse, as it is with most supermarket till receipts

However, the receipt is for some painkiller and 5 off leather folios. :huh:
No mention of a sat nav.

COOLTRIKERCHICK

If you take your till receipt to the store customer service desk, and hand your receipt over, and ask for a VAT receipt. They will then re- issue you will a VAT receipt. showing the item price, the amount of vat on that purchase etc.

I do this all the time, when I buy stuff for work, including loo rolls, anti bac soap, batteries, etc..

AbbieCadabra

i don't put receipts though our accounts unless they have the company vat no. on & detail the vat element separately, pretty sure this is what was advised when we had a vat inspection a few years ago. i know a few receipts for fuel that weren't an actual full vat receipt were 'rejected' by the vat man & i had to do a correction on our next vat return.

but, looking at this HMRC guidance, it would seem that a simplified invoice/receipt van be issued if the total is under £250.

martindow

AbbieCadabra wrote: »

but, looking at this HMRC guidance, it would seem that a simplified invoice/receipt van be issued if the total is under £250.

Yes but the receipt should have the VAT number even if the VAT element is not calculated. The receipt the OP posted does not include Tesco's number.

System

But Tesco are obviously VAT registered, so wouldn't the Vatman be okay about it

closed

if your turnover is 250k, is it worth stressing over £10? If yes, go back and ask for a vat receipt (if it's for exclusive use of the business).

googler

It will only be an issue if you get a VAT audit.

paddyrg

It does baffle me *why* some shops don't just print their VAT numbers as a matter of course? I mean why do filling stations give you a receipt then ask if you want a VAT receipt? Why not just print a compliant VAT receipt in the first place? Or the poor people on this site who've spent 6+ weeks trying to get a VAT receipt out of Tesco Direct, despite it being a legal requirement to provide one in those circumstances. It's not rocket science, my local corner shop has their VAT number on all receipts for a pack of polos and a biro, the sandwich shop has a little rubber stamp with their vat number when they're asked. What's the big deal?!