Agency Requesting Cetificate of Incorporation & VAT Certificate

**shaftedcontractor** · 23 May 2007, 08:27

As an agency I'm about to start with has asked for the same; I wonder why you would find it a problem supplying copies of these documents?

Maybe it's just my opinion (or naivety as a contractor) but if it causes me no pain then I'm happy to comply.

**malvolio** · 23 May 2007, 08:29

They're just covering their own backs. You're about to start invoicing them for work done + VAT, it's not unreasonable they will check that you are a legitimate VAT-registered Limited Company and not some cowboy who's ignoring the rules.

There should be no problem supplying this information, it is in the public domain anyway. It's just easier (and better manners) to supply them yourself.

**Xenophon** · 23 May 2007, 08:34

Cheers - most appreciated.

**Ardesco** · 23 May 2007, 10:03

I belive it's due to changes in VAT legislation. The onus is now on you to check that anybody who invoices you for VAT is VAT registered, not HMR&C to chase after people who have been charging for VAT but are not really registered.

As a result everybody now wants to see a copy of your VAT invoice before they send accross any VAT money.

**NoddY** · 23 May 2007, 18:56

There's an online checker somewhere in the EU website that verifies valid VAT numbers.

**Gonzo** · 23 May 2007, 20:44

Originally posted by Xenophon

I have been working via my current agency for over a year and they are now asking for copies of my Certificate of Incorporation and VAT Certificate for my company. I have these of course, but why should I need to provide my agency with copies?

You should now be quoting your company's registration number and address (which can easily be checked for free through the companies house website) on all correspondence with the agency. So you shouldn't be bothered with that and I would tell them so.

The VAT registration number should also be on all correspondence. I am not sure how anyone checks that a VAT number is valid. If anyone could tell me I would be glad to know.

**Ardesco** · 24 May 2007, 09:14

It is one thing to check that a VAT number is valid, but a completely different thing to proove that it is your VAT number

**tim123** · 24 May 2007, 11:54

Originally posted by NoddY

There's an online checker somewhere in the EU website that verifies valid VAT numbers.

No it doesn't.

It verifies that it passes the checksum, it doesn't check that it has actually been issued to somebody.

tim

**Xenophon** · 24 May 2007, 12:13

Originally posted by Gonzo

You should now be quoting your company's registration number and address (which can easily be checked for free through the companies house website) on all correspondence with the agency. So you shouldn't be bothered with that and I would tell them so.

The VAT registration number should also be on all correspondence. I am not sure how anyone checks that a VAT number is valid. If anyone could tell me I would be glad to know.

Indeed my friend. It is on my email signature etc.

Agency Requesting Cetificate of Incorporation & VAT Certificate