help with financial services client & VAT registration

[stunews]

If you re VAT registered and providing standard rate services (worth checking) then you need to charge VAT. I'm assuming there's no agency involved in which case you'd be charging them VAT, not the client.

But, if the contract doesn't specify whether the rate is ex or inc then there is a possibility of an argument between you and the client. Submit the first invoice adding VAT and see what happens. If they pay it, you're in the clear. If they don't, stating that the rate was to be inclusive, then suck it up for the first invoice and chalk it down to experience. Then, de-register for VAT immediately so you don't need to worry about it again.

There is an agency involved, so does it depend on their VAT status, rather than the end client?

Thanks for the advice on the de-registering bit if it is the worst case..

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

There is an agency involved, so does it depend on their VAT status, rather than the end user?..

Yup. You're billing the agency. Forget the end user for this purpose.