What Do You Need to Apply for VAT Number UK?

After Brexit, exports and imports in the United Kingdom have undergone some changes. For the most part, these changes are related to VAT. That is, all companies with a turnover of more than £85,000 must pay a certain amount as VAT at each point of the product or service sale. Some companies are also required to have a separate representative who will carry out activities related to the VAT collection and payment. Let’s take a closer look at these requirements and find out how to apply for VAT number UK and what fiscal representative to choose.

To pay and collect VAT, a company must apply for VAT number UK. So, to register correctly, you need to provide some information about your company. We will list just a few items from this list.

1. Company name;
2. Legal seat;
3. Bank account details (bank name, account number, bank statement);
4. Responsible person, his address, as well as the identification number of the authorized person in his country of origin (if any);
5. Business description;
6. Description of the goods/services that the company purchases/sells;
7. Countries in which the company purchases goods/services;
8. Countries in which the company sells goods/services;
9. Invoices for European sales/purchases in the amount of £ 85,000; etc.

Online registration takes about 20 days. During this period, you will receive a special certificate with the information you need. This information includes your VAT number, the period when you need to submit your first VAT return, and the effective date of your registration.

Moreover, certain EU countries must have their own fiscal representative or agent. This requirement, however, does not apply to UK companies, but the law does not prohibit them from having their own agents. So, this fiscal or tax representative will apply for VAT number UK, keep VAT reports, submit returns to HMRC on time, and also be responsible for VAT debts.

You have two options to choose from: find a representative in your country of residence, or find a local representative. Of course, if your company is located in the UK and does business with multiple countries, it might seem easier to find an agent for each country right in the UK.

However, if you supply goods from another country to the UK, then the local agent is already familiar with all the rules for VAT payment, paperwork, payment structure, and more. After all, he is fluent in the local language and can draw up the required documentation correctly.