Reply to: Unpaid VAT invoice

[NickNick]

When working through an agency I have always been asked for a copy of my VAT certificate.

When working direct with the client, I've never been asked.

IAWTP

[TheFaQQer]

Please tell me your joking

Nope - can't be bothered to search for it, but someone in the same position as the OP was "advised" by another user here to demand to see the agancy VAT certificate before providing their own.

Not sure who the advisor or advisee where though.

[MikeC1408]

[QUOTE=TheFaQQer;466188]Sorry - it's been suggested before as a valid idea though.
[QUOTE]


Please tell me your joking

[TheFaQQer]

It was meant as tonque in cheek Hence the

Sorry - it's been suggested before as a valid idea though.

"You show me yours, and I'll show you mine" doesn't seem to be any better received by an agent than it did in a playground...

[MikeC1408]

From their perspective, you've suddenly invoiced them an extra 17.5% that they need to account for in their VAT calculations.

Send them a copy of the VAT certificate, and they should pay up. It's not worth fighting over, to be honest. It's not worth asking them for their VAT certificate - you aren't charging them VAT, so why would getting theirs be relevant?

It was meant as tonque in cheek Hence the

[TheFaQQer]

From their perspective, you've suddenly invoiced them an extra 17.5% that they need to account for in their VAT calculations.

Send them a copy of the VAT certificate, and they should pay up. It's not worth fighting over, to be honest. It's not worth asking them for their VAT certificate - you aren't charging them VAT, so why would getting theirs be relevant?

[Ardesco]

They have an obligation to check that you are VAT registered before they pay you VAT. The VAT number could belong to anybody, there is nothing to stop you going into Tesco, buying some shopping and then copying the VAT number on the bottom of the receipt and handing it across to your agency.

They could pay to check your VAT number, or they can just ask for a copy of your VAT certificate which is easy for them and doesn't cost them anything.

To be honest it's not worth making a fuss about, all of the information about your company i.e. directors name and address, company address, VAT number, company number, etc. is publicly available anyway. Anybody can get hold of it if they want to.

[vhadiant]

They usually do tend to ask for a copy I find.

Same here. It's just VAT registration letter anyway, it's not like all your personal information is plastered all over

[NotAllThere]

...aside from quoting your VAT number on your invoice, are you under any additional legal obligated to proove your VAT registered status before a client will pay the VAT?...

.... Also, what happens when a client refuses to pay the VAT on an invoice without a valid reason, is it solely my problem or can I get HMRC on their butt?

No and, I believe, yes, you can get HMRC on their butt.

Why not phone the VAT helpline, and ask their advice? I understand they can get quite intense about people not paying VAT that is on a legally correct VAT invoice.

While I see that those suggesting you just send a copy and have done have a point, sometimes it's immensely satisfying bring agencies to book.

[MikeC1408]

Ask for a copy of theirs in return

[BrowneIssue]

no wonder the government gets away with treating joe citizen like dirt - too many people concentrating on trivia.

Ouch! Harsh! But most of this annoying detail that we are distracted by comes from the government anyway.



One the one hand we are told over and over to protect our identity.

Then we are told to hand over copies (and sometimes originals) of:

- certificate of incorporation;
- articles of memorandum;
- VAT registration certificate;
- a blank business cheque (yes, I have been asked to do this by an agency);
- birth certificate or passport;
- driving licence;
- utility bills;
- council tax bill

which they cheerfully copy and bung in an unlocked filing cabinet with hundreds and hundreds of others.

This whole "prove you id" thing is causing a huge problem. All that stuff above in thousands of recruitment agencies, plus all the letting agents that do the same.

It must be becoming very easy to commit an ID fraud by getting access to this stuff.



Anyway, the original question: there are people out there claiming VAT and pocketing it. Asking for the VAT certificate saves the client from getting involved in "unpleasantness" later.

[BrilloPad]

of course you could you walk from the contract and sue. but why bother? why not just send them a copy and spend your time doing something more productive.

no wonder the government gets away with treating joe citizen like dirt - too many people concentrating on trivia.

[Jubber]

When working through an agency I have always been asked for a copy of my VAT certificate.

When working direct with the client, I've never been asked.

[xoggoth]

They usually do tend to ask for a copy I find.

[r0bly0ns]

I'm not sure if it's a legal requirement but it's our accountant told us to send copies of the cert with the VAT invoices when we were first VAT registered.