What is the correct format for an IE VAT number?

[Dymo King]

I have an order from RoI and they have provided their VAT number, which is in the format of IE99999999.

I have entered their vat number into the following website, which I use for validating the VAT numbers (and it hasn't failed before).

http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/vieshome.do?selectedLanguage=EN

But this time it says the number is invalid. In the help section it says the correct format is -

IE-Ireland IE9S99999L (1 block of 8 characters), where

9: A digit
X: A letter or a digit
S: A letter; a digit; "+" or "*"
L: A letter

So, does anyone know what the correct format for RoI is? The customer seems to think their code is correct but shows as invalid and doesn't match the suggested format. But maybe the website is wrong?

 

[Optegris]

Unlikely. Ring the HMRC helpline and give them the VAT number and they will confirm if it is valid or not...

 

[FAB Enterprises]

IE-Ireland IE9S99999L (1 block of 8 characters) sounds correct.

All the ones I've delt with have a letter at the end, ask your customer to double check their number.

Mason

 

[elaine@cheapaccounting]

see this:

EU VAT registration checker

http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channels...rtyType=document&columns=1&id=HMCE_MIG_009920

 

[Kevin Hall]

The website VAT number checkers are the same: HMRC's leads to Europa's, which draws on the VIES system.

Best advice is to contact the client, explain that their number is in the wrong format and politely ask for their correct VAT registration number.

If they cannot give you a correct VAT registration number, you might want to ask yourself why it is not correct (is it a fraud?).

Alternatively, you might be able to make supplies without their VAT registration number. if you supply certain services, you only need to hold eveidence your customer is "in business". Do contact me if you need more on this.

One question, please don't be offended. There's no chance the number is non-Irish is there? Numerous times a fax has blurred an E to an I. For example, Estonia is "EE", Greece is "EL" (though these both have 9 digits).

But most likely is that somebody at RoI typed the number incorrectly (are there any double digits?). The best way to check is to say that compliance procedure require that you hold a copy of their VAT registration certificate, if that isn't too much trouble for them.

Hope it helps & good luck!

 

[Dymo King]

thanks everyone. I called HMR&C and they said the same as the website (invlaid format, must end in a letter).

So I typed in 8 digit customer number again but changed the 1 at the end to an I - and it validated just fine and displayed the customers name.

So I have contact the customer and informed them of their correct vat number...

 

[FAB Enterprises]

If you fill out your EU Sales list by hand make sure you underline the I as you might get it returned to you, I've had that a couple of times with I's & S's being mistaken for 1's & 5's.

Mason

 

[mmllmm]

On VATnumber.info you can validate VAT numbers one by one or a whole list in one go.
New application is without quantitative limits
JAVASCRIPT IS REQUIRED TO USE THIS SITE
direct link: vatnumber.info/vat-checker/index.php

Germany DE + 9 numeric characters
Austria AT + 9 numeric and alphanumeric characters
Belgium BE + 9 numeric characters
Denmark DK + 8 numeric characters
Spain ES + 9 characters
Finland FI + 8 numeric characters
France FR + 2 figures (informatic key) + N° SIREN (9 figures)
United-Kingdom GB + 9 numeric characters
Greece EL + 9 numeric characters
Irlande IE + 8 numeric and alphabetic characters
Italy IT + 11 numeric characters
Luxembourg LU + 8 numeric characters
Netherlands NL + 12 alphanumeric characters, one of them a letter
Portugal PT + 9 numeric characters
Sweden SE + 12 numeric characters

 

[Siralex]

Rep of Ireland VAT no has 7 digits and a letter at the end; Looks like that:
IE 1111111A

 

[mmllmm]

Ireland VAT
Seven digits and one letter
or
Six digits and two letters

IE 1234567X
or
IE 1X34567X
Includes 1 or 2 letters :-
Either LAST or SECOND & LAST

 

[Optegris]

The thread has been bumped from 2008 and will now be locked.