Charging VAT

[Muddledandmiddle]

Really boring thread sorry.

We are renovating, not our first but our biggest. I’ve begun to notice that some quotes have a VAT reg number listed, and others do not- this week I’ve had three quotes in for a project and all three have quoted plus VAT without listing their VAT number and frankly, I’m suspicious that atleast one of the three, if not two, are not VAT registered at all.

I can’t say I’ve ever checked when one has been listed, so for all I know previous quotes could have had completely fabricated reg numbers anyways, but it just suddenly dawned on me this week as I was reading them all over and started mulling it over.

I mean there’s no way I can ask for it without the reasoning being obvious and thus causing offence, but I do take offence to paying 20% more if they’re not actually registered and paying it too.

am I wrong?

If you are going to engage the contractor, or think you will, then just ask them for the VAT number. A legitimate business won't care - effectively they're just acting as HMRC tax collectors for the VAT. You'll know the answer then if they give their number!
You can check numbers vs the database online at HMRC https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/check-vat-number/enter-vat-details to see if they match the business.

Yeah, I don’t understand why you wouldn’t just ask the VAT registration numbers?

hi... its not boring thread .. don't feel like that .. Yes, the doubts are valid. If VAT is being charged, they need to have a valid VAT number, which you can verify on the gov.uk website. Usually, I use VATCalcOnl to check the numbers to make sure I'm not overpaying.

This site lets you search a name/business and see if they have a VAT number:

https://vat-lookup.co.uk/

Really old fashioned site but it does work.

More than simply taking offence at them charging you VAT when not registered, it's a criminal offence so don't challenge them or use it to negotiate the price down if you find anything, just don't use them. Any tradesman who will break the law with this, will do an awful job and cost you a fortune.

Hello all! I've been using resources like this forum to manage my business and recently started selling in a new market. I was wondering is there an easy way to know exactly how much VAT I need to charge or pay? I used an online VAT calculator, which was always correct unless something changed in the tax rates. Is there anything similar for my new market? Thanks in advance! i used to use vatcalc.onl might be useful for someone