What a VAT invoice must show
A VAT invoice is the buyer's proof for claiming VAT back. Learn the details the law asks for and spot an invoice that falls short.
This path is practice in how the records and the sums work. It is not tax advice. Any rate or allowance in a question is an example for that question, so check GOV.UK for the current figures.
Task 1Who, when and which invoice2 questions
A VAT invoice is the document a VAT registered seller gives to a business customer for a taxable sale. The customer needs it to claim back the input tax.
- A unique invoice number that follows on from the one before
- The seller's name, address and VAT registration number
- The date of the invoice, and the tax point if that is a different date
- The customer's name and address
The tax point is the date the sale counts as made for VAT. The next room covers it.
Most invoices also show payment terms and bank details. Those are useful, but the VAT rules do not ask for them.
Task 2The goods and the figures3 questions
Task 3Why the details matter3 questions