How to Check if a Company Is VAT Registered (UK)

The Problem

A supplier sends you an invoice with VAT added on top. Before you pay it - and before you try to reclaim that VAT on your own return - you want to know two things: is this business actually VAT registered, and is the VAT number on the invoice genuine? It's a fair question. If you reclaim VAT on an invoice from a business that isn't really registered, HMRC can refuse the claim, and the problem lands with you rather than the supplier.

The good news: checking is free, takes about a minute, and there's an official tool for exactly this.

The Quickest Way: HMRC's Official VAT Number Checker

HMRC provides a free online service called "Check a UK VAT number" on GOV.UK. This is the authoritative source - if a number checks out here, it's genuine.

1. Search for "check a UK VAT number" and open the GOV.UK page (make sure it's the official gov.uk site, not a lookalike)
2. Enter the VAT number you want to verify - you can include or leave out the "GB" prefix and spaces
3. Click to check
4. If the number is valid, HMRC shows you the registered business name and address associated with it

You can also enter your own VAT number alongside the check, which gives you a reference number as proof that you carried out the check on that date. This is worth doing for larger purchases - it's evidence you did your due diligence if HMRC ever asks.

What a UK VAT Number Looks Like

Knowing the format helps you spot obvious fakes before you even run a check. A standard UK VAT number is:

• The letters GB, followed by
• 9 digits, usually written in the pattern 123 4567 89

So a typical number looks like GB 123 4567 89 or, without spaces, GB123456789. Both are the same number.

There are a couple of less common formats - 12-digit numbers for businesses with multiple branches, and special "GBGD" or "GBHA" prefixes for government departments and health authorities - but for everyday suppliers, the 9-digit format is what you'll almost always see.

Other Ways to Find a Company's VAT Number

Sometimes you don't have the number yet - you just want to know whether a company is registered at all. A few places to look:

Their invoices and receipts

A VAT-registered business is required to show its VAT number on VAT invoices. If a business charges you VAT but there's no VAT number anywhere on the invoice, that's a problem in itself - either they're not registered and shouldn't be charging it, or their invoicing is non-compliant.

Their website

Many businesses list their VAT number in the website footer, on a "Terms" or "Legal" page, or on their contact page alongside their company registration number.

Just ask them

A legitimate VAT-registered business will have no problem telling you their VAT number - it's not confidential information. Hesitation or evasion is itself informative.

A Common Mix-Up: Companies House vs. VAT Registration

This confuses a lot of people. Companies House shows a company's registration number - the number it was incorporated under. That is not a VAT number, and Companies House does not list VAT numbers at all.

A company can be registered at Companies House without being VAT registered - in fact, many small companies are. VAT registration is separate, handled by HMRC, and only required once turnover passes the registration threshold (or if the business chooses to register voluntarily). So "I found them on Companies House" tells you the company exists, but nothing about their VAT status.

What About European VAT Numbers?

If you're dealing with a supplier in an EU country, the check is done through the EU's VIES system (VAT Information Exchange System) rather than HMRC's tool. It works similarly - enter the country and number, and it confirms whether the number is valid.

One important point since the UK left the EU: standard GB VAT numbers are no longer in VIES. Use HMRC's checker for UK numbers and VIES for EU numbers. The exception is Northern Ireland businesses trading goods with the EU, which use an "XI" prefix and can still be verified through VIES.

What to Do If a Number Doesn't Check Out

• Double-check you typed it correctly. A single wrong digit will return "invalid." Re-enter it carefully before assuming the worst.
• Contact the supplier. The most common explanation is a typo on their invoice template. Ask them to confirm the correct number.
• Don't reclaim the VAT until it's resolved. If you can't verify the number, you can't safely treat the VAT as reclaimable.
• Be cautious about paying VAT to an unregistered business. If a business isn't VAT registered, it shouldn't be adding VAT to its prices at all. You'd be paying an extra 20% that goes into their pocket rather than to HMRC.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming a company registration number is a VAT number. They're different numbers from different organisations - see above.
• Checking the number is valid but not checking the name matches. A real number attached to the wrong business is a red flag.
• Not keeping a record of the check. For significant purchases, use the option to record your own VAT number so you get a dated reference.
• Trying to verify a GB number in VIES. It won't be there. Use HMRC's checker for UK numbers.

Work Out the VAT With WaqarWeb

Once you've confirmed a supplier is genuinely registered, the VAT Calculator lets you check their figures instantly - enter the total and it shows the net amount and VAT portion, so you can confirm the invoice adds up. If you're VAT registered yourself, the Invoice Generator lays out your own VAT number and breakdown correctly so your clients can verify you just as easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is HMRC's VAT number checker free to use?

Yes, completely free, and no account is needed. It's a public service on GOV.UK.

Can I check if a sole trader is VAT registered?

Yes - the process is identical. Sole traders can be VAT registered just like limited companies, and their numbers are verified the same way. HMRC's checker will return the registered name, which for a sole trader may be the individual's own name rather than a business name.

Does a VAT number ever change?

Rarely. A business generally keeps the same VAT number for as long as it's registered. If a business deregisters and later re-registers, it may receive a new number.

Why would a legitimate business not be VAT registered?

Because registration is only compulsory above a turnover threshold. Plenty of genuine, well-run small businesses sit below it and aren't registered. Not being VAT registered isn't a sign of a problem - charging VAT without being registered is.

What if a supplier gives me a VAT number but it belongs to a different company name?

Ask them to explain. There can be innocent reasons - a trading name that differs from the registered name, for example - but it needs clarifying before you rely on the invoice for a VAT reclaim.