VAT Number?

[vivente]

I registered for my VAT a couple of weeks ago and wasn't expecting my VAT certificate for at least a month however today I received a letter from HMRC called "VAT Online Enrolment Acknowledgement".

Now it doesn't look anything I would call a certificate and that title doesn't give me the impression that it's a VAT certificate however it does include a VAT number.

So silly question I take it that VAT number on it is my VAT number and if it is am I allowed to use it yet or do I still have to wait for the certificate?

 

[ToYourInbox]

When you completed your VAT application, you'll have been asked for a date you wish to be VAT registered from - this should also be the same date as the effective date of registration as per the VAT Certificate.

Yes the VAT number on there will be the VAT number for the business and the effective date should be the date you start charging VAT from.

Hope that helps...

 

[vivente]

Yeah my query really was around what this letter was and what it permitted me to do if anything. Having checked online it definitely isn't a VAT certificate. I've checked the number out online and it is definitely my number. This is only a letter telling me that I'm registered for online services for VAT.

HMRC guidance is that I can't issue any VAT invoices until I am in possession of my VAT certificate therefore I suppose technically I can't start charging VAT on my invoices however delaying doing so until I get the certificate arrives would just create more work for me as it increases the period over which I have to cancel my existing invoices from start of November and replacing them with invoices correctly showing the VAT. I presume it is normal to receive this letter before the certificate so what have others done?

 

[ToYourInbox]

It CAN take a while to receive the VAT certificate (several weeks) however only a few days to receive the online authorisation... not much help I know.

Most people aren't so organised

 

[vivente]

Thanks ToYourInbox. it was off the HMRC website, or at least my recollection of reading it a couple of weeks that raised my queries here however now that you kindly prompted me to look at it again with your kind offer I noticed when I was looking for the link which is this:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/start/register/waiting.htm

that is says the following:

Until you receive your VAT registration number you must not charge VAT, or show VAT on your invoices. To make sure that you do not lose income in the period after you applied for VAT registration but before you receive your VAT registration number, you should increase your prices by an amount equivalent to the VAT rate relevant for your goods or services, and explain to your customers why you are doing so.

Once you receive your VAT registration number you can then reissue those invoices, amended to show your VAT registration number and the VAT charged. This will make sure that your VAT-registered customers may reclaim the VAT that they have paid.

Now that's pretty clear to me that I can actually start now applying the VAT codes in Sage as it doesn't mention the certificate only that I must receive the registration number, which this letter contains.

Thanks for helping clarify all this for me.

 

[Anna Chandley]

If you log into your online VAT account you can view your VAT registration certificate online.

Anna

 

[vivente]

Thanks Anna VAT Certificate Online.

Look like I have to complete an initial VAT return for one month only for the month of November an then on to normal quarterly returns from end of February.

Effective Date of Registration:01 Nov 2013 Date of certificate:08 Nov 2013 VAT return period end date :30 Nov 2013 Frequency of returns:Quarterly in February, May & August
Is that right?

 

[AndrewEardley]

Would appear so

First one at the end of Nov and then quarterly