How To Check if a Company is VAT Registered

Whether you’re onboarding a new supplier, conducting due diligence on a partner, or just want to ensure everything is correct before making a big payment, it helps to know how to see if company is VAT registered. In the UK, only VAT registered businesses can charge VAT on sales. Other VAT registered businesses can then reclaim this VAT from their tax returns. Without checking VAT registration, you may end up unable to reclaim input tax and encounter problems with HMRC.

This guide covers how to check if a company is VAT registered, how to find company VAT number information, and where to go if you still can’t find the info you need.

What Does VAT Registration Mean?

Any company registered for VAT with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is considered VAT registered. A VAT registered business will charge VAT on applicable sales and file VAT returns to reclaim or pay over any output/input tax. After successfully applying for VAT registration, a business will be issued a VAT registration number.

In the UK, VAT numbers are nine digits long and are usually prefixed with “GB” (e.g. GB123456789).

Businesses must include their VAT number on any invoices/invoice-related documentation when charging VAT. If an invoice is missing a valid VAT number, it will likely fall short of HMRC requirements and can’t be reclaimed.

Why It’s Important To Check If A Company Is VAT Registered

It’s advisable to know how to find out if a company is VAT registered prior to paying a supplier or entering an agreement. Here’s why:

Compliance

As mentioned, only VAT registered businesses are allowed to charge VAT. If you pay VAT to an unregistered business, you will not be able to reclaim it.

Financial Accuracy

Being charged incorrect VAT can eat away at your margins and cause cash flow issues. Ensuring suppliers are VAT registered helps keep your bookkeeping and VAT returns accurate.

Prevent Fraud

Scam companies may try to pretend they are VAT registered. By taking a few minutes to check if company is VAT registered, you can avoid potential scams and secure your business.

How To See If a Company Is VAT Registered

Step 1: Find The Company’s VAT Number

To check if company is VAT registered, you must start by obtaining the company’s VAT number. There is no publicly available database where you can look up VAT registration using just a company name. You need the VAT number to check it.

You can find company VAT number information by:

• Checking an invoice.
• Searching the company’s website
• Asking the business
• Looking on official documents

Step 2: Use The HMRC VAT Number Checker

Once you have obtained a company’s VAT number, the easiest way to check their VAT registration status is by using the official HMRC VAT number checker on GOV.UK.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Go to the VAT number checking service on GOV.UK.
2. Enter the company’s VAT number.
3. Click “check”.

The tool will confirm if the VAT number is valid or not. It will also provide the registered name and address for that VAT number. Ensure this matches the business you are expecting.

This tool is by far the quickest and most reliable way to verify VAT registration.

Step 3: Contact HMRC If Necessary

If for some reason you can’t verify a VAT number using the online tool, you can contact HMRC’s VAT helpline. Be aware that you may have to provide a reason for your request. HMRC can only provide limited information in certain situations.

What If You Can’t Find a VAT Number?

If you can't locate a VAT number or the provided number is invalid:

• Check it’s been entered correctly.
• Contact the company to confirm their VAT number.
• Ask the company to issue a new VAT invoice if one hasn’t already been provided.
• Don’t pay VAT if your supplier cannot provide a valid VAT number.

If a business isn’t VAT registered, then they shouldn’t be charging VAT. Remember, if you pay VAT to a non-registered supplier, you can’t reclaim it.

Additional Considerations

Not all businesses need to register for VAT. You might wonder why some companies aren’t VAT registered. In the UK and that's because small businesses with a taxable turnover below the VAT threshold do not have to register for VAT. The VAT threshold increases and decreases based on current legislation.

As of 2024–2025, the UK VAT registration threshold is £90,000. If a business' taxable turnover is below this threshold (calculated on a rolling 12-month period) it isn't required to register for VAT. Further, some goods and services are exempt from VAT entirely, including education, financial services, insurance, some medical treatments and postal services. Businesses that supply nothing but VAT-exempt services may not be required to register for VAT at all.

In other cases, charities may be exempt. And businesses may have voluntarily deregistered themselves (say, if their taxable turnover fell below the reregistration threshold). If a company supplies nothing but VAT-exempt goods and services or doesn't meet the VAT registration threshold it is perfectly reasonable that it would not be VAT registered.

Keep Records Of Your VAT Checks

If you work regularly with suppliers, you should keep a record of your VAT number checks. While this isn’t mandatory, if HMRC conduct an audit, it helps to be able to prove you took steps to verify your suppliers were VAT registered or not.

Summary: How To See If Company Is VAT Registered

Want to know how to see if company is VAT registered? Follow these simple steps:

• Find the company’s VAT number (check their invoice, website, or ask them directly).
• Use the GOV.UK HMRC VAT number checker.
• Confirm the registered name and address matches the company you expect.
• (Optional) Keep a record of your check.

That’s all there is to it. Taking the time to carry out these simple checks can save your business a lot of hassle and stress. It ensures your VAT treatment is compliant, helps prevent fraud, and your VAT returns will be accurate.

If you still need some help with your VAT compliance our team at Phinch are experts who’d love to help your business with VAT registration, VAT returns, and more. Get in touch today and see how we can help your business get its VAT right.

Some Common Questions Answered

Find out when you need to register for VAT, how to register for VAT and how long VAT registration takes.

When does VAT registration become compulsory?

You need to register for VAT if the taxable turnover of your business goes over the current VAT registration limit during any rolling 12-month period. Visit GOV.UK for up-to-date figures as the VAT threshold may increase or decrease. If you realise you’ve gone over the threshold you have 30 days to register from the point where you become taxable.

Can businesses register for VAT voluntarily?

Companies can register for VAT voluntarily. This can be useful if you wish to reclaim the VAT you pay on expenses, or if you want to give your business more credibility with your clients and suppliers.

Registering for VAT voluntarily does have its obligations though. You’ll have to charge VAT on any taxable sales you make, submit VAT returns (usually every quarter) and keep valid VAT records.

How to register for VAT?

To register your company for VAT, you’ll need to apply through HMRC. This is usually done through their online VAT registration service. You’ll be asked to supply:

• The structure of your business (sole trader/partnership/limited company)
• Turnover
• What your business does
• Your bank account details
• Company registration number if applicable

HMRC will then issue you with a VAT registration number and let you know when your VAT registration will become effective. You’ll need to start charging VAT from this date.

Does VAT registration take long?

HMRC will usually take a few weeks to process your VAT registration. However, this can be longer if they need to do further checks or require additional information.