Uninformative invoice from roofer

aurion22

Just checking if I've got my facts straight. A roofer (sole trader) replaced a few bits of cement on my roof ridge tiles and did some "reflaunching" on the chimney. Beforehand, he quoted two prices: £220 inc VAT or £190 for cash. I said I'd rather keep it all above board and he's just sent me an "invoice" by email simply saying that the total cost is £220. There's no sign of a VAT registration number and, looking at Gov.UK, it appears that "only VAT-registered businesses can issue VAT invoices" so I don't see how he can ask me to pay the higher price at all.


I asked him for a detailed invoice but he just rang me and said he didn't bother with that. Where do I stand?


Thanks for any helpful suggestions.

waamo

Can I just get this straight he quoted £220 has asked for £220 and you aren't happy? Is that correct?

LABMAN

You agreed to pay £220 so you pay that.

Aylesbury_Duck

I don't get it either. You didn't want to pay the lower price. Now you don't want to pay the proper price? What do you want to pay?

kazwookie

Just ask him for his VAT number.

davidmcn

You've got no right to a VAT invoice unless you are also VAT-registered. If you agreed £220 then you pay £220. What they do about VAT (or any other tax) isn't your business.

aurion22

kazwookie wrote: »

Just ask him for his VAT number.

Thanks .. I've done that.
:-)

aurion22

Aylesbury_Duck wrote: »

I don't get it either. You didn't want to pay the lower price. Now you don't want to pay the proper price? What do you want to pay?

I didn't want to pay a business a lower amount in cash to avoid paying VAT.

aurion22

waamo wrote: »

Can I just get this straight he quoted £220 has asked for £220 and you aren't happy? Is that correct?

I'm not happy that he's charging me VAT when he doesn't pay it.

aurion22

davidmcn wrote: »

You've got no right to a VAT invoice unless you are also VAT-registered. If you agreed £220 then you pay £220. What they do about VAT (or any other tax) isn't your business.

Really? That's interesting. That's why I asked here as I thought someone knowledgeable would respond and clarify things for me. I still don't think someone has the right to charge me VAT if they don't pay it.


According to Gov.UK (https://www.gov.uk/invoicing-and-taking-payment-from-customers/invoices-what-they-must-include):


Invoices - what they must include

Your invoice must include:

• a unique identification number
• your company name, address and contact information
• the company name and address of the customer you’re invoicing
• a clear description of what you’re charging for
• the date the goods or service were provided (supply date)
• the date of the invoice
• the amount(s) being charged
• VAT amount if applicable
• the total amount owed

Sole trader invoices

If you’re a sole trader, the invoice must also include:

• your name and any business name being used
• an address where any legal documents can be delivered to you if you are using a business name

aurion22

LABMAN wrote: »

You agreed to pay £220 so you pay that.

When I agreed to pay £220 it was on the understanding that this figure included VAT. As I see it, he shouldn't charge me for a tax he doesn't have to pay.



I've asked about this here in the hope that someone more familiar with the workings of VAT would be able to enlighten me.