Sell Ltd
Tax check guideLast updated 1 January 1970

How to check if a UK company is VAT registered

TL;DR
HMRC runs a free VAT number checker at gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number. Enter the nine-digit number and confirm the returned business name matches the invoice. Mismatch = do not pay. VAT is not the same as company registration — check both.

Two-minute VAT check

Enter the 9-digit VAT number on the HMRC page below. Compare the returned name to the invoice.

  1. 1. Open HMRC's official VAT checker
  2. 2. Enter the 9-digit number (drop the GB prefix and spaces).
  3. 3. Read the returned name and address. Compare to the invoice.
  4. 4. If they don't match, request a signed VAT certificate before paying. Escalate if not produced.

Why the VAT check exists

HMRC published the free VAT lookup in response to years of missing-trader (MTIC) fraud — import goods VAT-free, sell them on with VAT charged, disappear before HMRC collects. The buyer ends up with an unrecoverable input tax claim and a supplier who has vanished. Genuine VAT lookups against a matched name kill the pattern.

The four answers you get back

  • Match — the number is live and returns a name/address. Compare it to the invoice.
  • Invalid — the number doesn't exist or has been deregistered. Any VAT charged on an invoice bearing an invalid number is not reclaimable.
  • Mismatch — number is valid but the returned name is different. Strong fraud signal.
  • Northern Ireland (XI) — for cross-border goods with Northern Ireland, use the XI prefix on the same page.

What a mismatch actually means

Most mismatches are not fraud. They're admin — a group reorganisation where the VAT number was reassigned, a legitimate trading name that differs from the Companies House name, or a genuine typo on the invoice. Ask for the VAT certificate. If it doesn't arrive within a day or the trader gets evasive, the diligence pattern is complete.

When 'no VAT number' is fine — and when it isn't

Registration is compulsory once taxable turnover crosses £90,000 in a rolling 12-month window (2024/25). Below that, plenty of legitimate small businesses choose not to register. The mismatch to watch for:

  • Claims of "£500k turnover, three years trading, blue-chip customers" and no VAT number.
  • Invoicing over £7,500/month consistently and no VAT number.
  • Recent VAT deregistration on a growing business — the numbers don't fit.

Cross-checking VAT and Companies House

Run both. The HMRC lookup returns the VAT-registered name and address; the Companies House record shows the company name, number, directors, PSCs and filing history. Real legitimate businesses reconcile on all three: matching legal name, matching trading address (or a plausible service address), and consistent accounts. See our how to check if a UK company is legit guide for the full stack.

What to save from every check

HMRC's checker returns a "consultation date" and a reference number. Save the reference — for audit purposes, and to defend an input-VAT claim if HMRC ever queries it. Businesses running high-volume KYC should log the check into their supplier record.

Related reading

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a UK VAT number for free?

Use HMRC's 'Check a UK VAT number' service at gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number. Enter the 9-digit number (ignore the GB prefix and any spaces). You'll get back the registered name and address. Free, official, no login.

What does a UK VAT number look like?

Nine digits, sometimes shown with 'GB' prefix and grouped like GB 123 4567 89. There are longer variants for government departments and branch traders — for private companies, expect nine digits.

The name returned doesn't match — what does that mean?

It's the single strongest fraud signal you can find. Missing-trader (MTIC) fraud runs on stolen or cloned VAT numbers. If the returned name is different from the entity on the invoice, do not pay before resolving.

Do all companies have to be VAT-registered?

No. Registration is compulsory once taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in a rolling 12-month period (2024/25 threshold). Below that, registration is voluntary. A £30k-turnover consultancy may legitimately not have a VAT number.

Should I be suspicious of a company without a VAT number?

Only if the story doesn't fit. A five-person trading business claiming £500k turnover with no VAT number is inconsistent. A one-person consultancy at £45k is fine.

Can I check VAT registration date?

The HMRC lookup returns 'consultation date' — proof-of-check timestamp — not the registration date. To see the registration date, you generally need the trader to send you a VAT certificate or use paid data services.

What if the company is Northern Ireland or EU?

Northern Ireland VAT numbers on cross-border goods carry an 'XI' prefix. EU VAT numbers can be validated on the VIES portal (ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies).

Can I check VAT status through Companies House?

No — Companies House doesn't hold VAT status. It's an HMRC function, distinct from company registration. Do both checks separately.

How often should I re-check a VAT number?

For a repeating supplier, once a year is usually enough. For a one-off high-value transaction, check on the day the invoice arrives.

Can a business voluntarily deregister for VAT?

Yes, if taxable turnover falls below £88,000 (2024/25 deregistration threshold). Recent deregistration on a business claiming growth is a mismatch worth explaining.

What is VAT missing-trader (MTIC) fraud?

A scheme where goods are imported VAT-free, sold on with VAT charged, and the 'missing trader' disappears before paying HMRC — leaving the buyer chasing an unrecoverable input claim. Cloned or short-lived VAT numbers are the hallmark.

Where do I check other tax status?

PAYE and CIS status aren't publicly checkable. For CIS you can request the trader's UTR and CIS status confirmation directly. Payroll size is inferable from the 'average number of employees' note in the annual accounts.

Keep exploring

Every UK company research tool we've built, plus honest reviews of the paid alternatives.