Force builder to give VAT receipt?

kp234

We recently used a decorator to redecorate our entire house. We found him through MyBuilder and had good reviews, was very friendly, seemed professional etc.

He billed us through MyBuilder and set out the bill into: labour cost, materials and VAT.

We've asked for a VAT receipt, but he has failed to provide one. He is now not answering his phone, responding to email etc.

We are suspicious that he might not be VAT registered, in which case he seriously overcharged us. We are considering the small claims court, but not sure where we stand.

We can't prove he's not registered (HMRC will check if a VAT number is valid, but not if a business is registered) but it seems very unprofessional to not provide a VAT number.

Does anyone have any similar experience? Or any ideas what to do next? Thanks!

maisie_cat

I think it's actually illegal to charge VAT without a VAT invoice, as an obligation under the value added tax regulations. Charging VAT without passing it on is VAT fraud and can be reported to HMRC.

Hoploz

What did he send you, if it wasn't an invoice? You said it was split into parts with VAT separate. What more do you require?

Doozergirl

Hoploz wrote: »

What did he send you, if it wasn't an invoice? You said it was split into parts with VAT separate. What more do you require?

It needs a VAT number on it to be valid.

You shouldn't pay the VAT without it. OP is shutting the door after the horse bolted but makes a fair point.

DigForVictory

Hike the invoice such as you have to your local tax office, (keep a copy for your records) and urge them to let slip their Evasion dogs of war.

If he is not VAT registered they will serve him toasted in manners you cannot imagine. It won't get your money back, but you'll have a good building job done & noone else should get the same hassle.

Annie1960

I have never encountered a decorator who is vat registered.

As others have said above, if a business is vat reg. they must put their vat number on the invoice. without a vat number they are not allowed to collect vat.

report them to H M R C. There is a form on their website.

Also ring Citizens Advice as they may report this to Trading Standards. Also did the decorator leave a cooling off notice? If not citizens Advice will also report this to Trading Standards.

To get your money back you may need to take a small claim to the County Court. Citizens Advice will tell you what you need to do about this. It is straightforward and designed for people to do themselves without a solicitor.

cyclonebri1

kp234 wrote: »

We recently used a decorator to redecorate our entire house. We found him through MyBuilder and had good reviews, was very friendly, seemed professional etc.

Yet another example of why not to use these bodies.

However, you have a dilemma.

You must have found his quotation competitive and fair.
You say he's done a good job.
You may want to use him again, difficult if you can't ring him but you can try from another number now and in the future.

So, morally you should shop him, but the value of a good tradesman goes down the road if you do. I can assure you he won't be alone in this practice if he's a single trader.

greatgimpo

If you eventually get a VAT number, you can check

here

if it's a true one.

ryder72

If you have a quote in writing which this charge will be says x and VAT will be levied on it, that doesnt mean he has charged you the VAT. If he gave you an invoice which amount x, VAT y (@20% of x) and a total amount of x +y = z without a VAT number on it, you can have him banged to rights. But if the invoice is for x + 20% without explicit saying its VAT, you are going to find it hard to prove that he charged you 20% VAT.

cyclonebri1

wake up and smell the coffee folks, these guys all do this, are you surprised?, you shouldn't be

southcoastrgi

As others have said he must be vat reg to charge vat, are you sure the invoice doesn't say inc vat ? Because I have seen that where they mean it inc vat they have paid for the mats,

are you VAT regd ?
If you aren't which I suspect you aren't by posting this thread then really what does it matter to you if he supplies a vat invoice because you can't claim the vat back so you would still still pay the final invoice cost & therefore you haven't been "seriously overcharged"