Request for VAT receipt from Nationwide

SammyS1987

Not too sure if this is the right place but...

I applied for and have since completed on a mortgage with Nationwide. Due to the nature of my job and the fact the I have relocated my employer is refunding me some of my expenses including the mortgage valuation, booking and reservation fees however they need a VAT receipt from Nationwide to do this.

I have asked Nationwide to supply this however their response is that because VAT is not payable on most of the elements (only payable on the valuation I believe) they are unable to do this. I have tried going through both their mortgage department and my mortgage advisor (Nationwide Branch) with no luck, I finally emailed a complaint on Monday but they are just referring me back to their mortgage team who I will call in the morning.

Can anyone help?

kingstreet

I don't think any of the fees are VATable.

You don't pay the surveyor directly, so you don't pay VAT on the valuation. Neither the fee scale, nor the payment receipt quotes VAT.

dunstonh

You pay the lenders charges. The lender pays the others in the chain. Your charge to the lender is not VATable.

SammyS1987

Regardless of whether VAT is payable is it unreasonable to request a receipt/invoice with their VAT number attached?

Thrugelmir

SammyS1987 wrote: »

Regardless of whether VAT is payable is it unreasonable to request a receipt/invoice with their VAT number attached?

Yes. If there's no VAT charged then they shouldn't provide a VAT invoice. As people could commit fraud with such documents. By falsifying accounting records and reclaiming the VAT from the HMRC.

SammyS1987

Thank you Thrugelmir, now that someone has explained why it makes sense. I'll go back to my employer and hopefully they can work around this so a VAT number is not required.

amnblog

and what about the complaint dropped on Nationwide's toe?