An accountant recently had a claim for VAT input tax of £14,667 disallowed by the Tax Tribunal, due to insufficient information being shown on the VAT invoice.
The invoice, from a legal firm, stated that the supply was for ‘legal fees as agreed’. However, the VAT Regulations 1995 14 (g) stipulates that the invoice must provide sufficient information to be able to identify the nature of the goods/services provided.
So what are the 12 pieces of information that need to be included on a valid VAT invoice?
A registered person, providing a VAT invoice, needs to include the following:-
- An identifying number
- The time of the supply
- The date of the issue of the document
- The name, address and registration number of the supplier
- The name and address of the person to whom the goods or services are supplied
- The type of supply by reference to the following categories—
(i) A supply by sale
(ii) A supply on hire purchase or any similar transaction
(iii) A supply by loan
(iv) A supply by way of exchange
(v) A supply on hire, lease or rental
(vi) A supply of goods made from the customer’s materials
(vii) A supply by sale on commission
(viii) A supply on sale or return or similar terms
(ix)any other type of supply which the Commissioners may at any time by notice specify, - A description sufficient to identify the goods or services supplied
- For each description, the quantity of the goods or the extent of the services, and the rate of VAT and the amount payable, excluding VAT, expressed in sterling
- The gross total amount payable, excluding VAT, expressed in sterling
- The rate of any cash discount offered
- Each rate of VAT chargeable and the amount of VAT chargeable, expressed in sterling, at each such rate
- The total amount of VAT chargeable, expressed in sterling.
If you have any questions about VAT invoices or VAT in general, please do get in touch with the VAT team at DRG Chartered Accountants. We would be delighted to hear from you.
For further information
The Value Added Tax Regulations 1995 (legislation.gov.uk)
DISCLAIMER: This information is for guidance only, and professional advice should be obtained before acting on any information contained herein. We will not accept any responsibility for loss to any person as a result of action taken or refrained from in consequence of the contents of this publication.
