Roofer charged VAT but no VAT number on invoice???

itm2

I've just paid an invoice from a roofer which had VAT included, but there is no VAT number on their invoice. Should the roofer have been obliged to put their VAT number on the invoice?

outtatune

Are you yourself a VAT registered business?

itm2

No I am not. I just need to know that the VAT that I paid was legitimate.

grumpy_codger

IMO, for you the only real question is what amount he quoted you before starting the work.

AFAIK, he must issue a VAT invoice only if you are VAT registered too (and you need such invoice to claim VAT back). As you aren't, he can issue an invoice for the total amount without showing VAT separately - like, say, Tesco does with their receipts.

DigForVictory

google offers this https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number

itm2

grumpy_codger said:

IMO, for you the only real question is what amount he quoted you before starting the work.

AFAIK, he must issue a VAT invoice only if you are VAT registered too (and you need such invoice to claim VAT back). As you aren't, he can issue an invoice for the total amount without showing VAT separately - like, say, Tesco does with their receipts.

Tesco do quote their VAT number on their receipts - I have just looked at one from today
???

itm2

DigForVictory said:

google offers this https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number

Thanks for the link. As I don't have a VAT number to check (only their company number) I guess I need a different type of check?

grumpy_codger

itm2 said:

grumpy_codger said:

IMO, for you the only real question is what amount he quoted you before starting the work.

AFAIK, he must issue a VAT invoice only if you are VAT registered too (and you need such invoice to claim VAT back). As you aren't, he can issue an invoice for the total amount without showing VAT separately - like, say, Tesco does with their receipts.

Tesco do quote their VAT number on their receipts - I have just looked at one from today
???

And? What importance does this number have to you as the VAT isn't shown in the receipts? You pay what you see on the price tags and many goods they sell are VAT-free or the rate is lower than 20%.

grumpy_codger

grumpy_codger said:

IMO, for you the only real question is what amount he quoted you before starting the work.

...

>> Does this roofing quote sound reasonable?

So, they did quote you  £3,600+VAT and if that's the amount shown in the invoce, the rest is their business and HMRC, not yours.

itm2

The invoice shows VAT of £720. I've just seen that, according to their Checkatrade profile, they are not VAT registered. So I would say that it is very much my business???

savergrant

itm2 said:

The invoice shows VAT of £720. I've just seen that, according to their Checkatrade profile, they are not VAT registered. So I would say that it is very much my business???

As I understand it you pay VAT, the trader collects it on behalf of HMRC. If the trader has told you that you need to pay VAT but they are not registered then they have taken money under false pretences. I suggest you contact the business and ask them for their VAT registration number as you are querying the VAT charged by them.  It may be that they have subcontracted the work or have bought materials on your behalf.  Is the VAT 20% of the whole bill or only part?