VAT

5. VAT Invoices

5.1 Once registered for VAT, you must provide a VAT invoice, and keep a copy yourself for every sale to a VAT-registered customer. This does not apply to sales of exempt or zero-rated supplies.

5.2 The invoice must show a number of specified pieces of information.

• Invoice number.
• Tax point (see 7.3) (and date of issue, if different from the tax point).
• Your business name and address.
• Your VAT registration number.
• Customer's name and address.
• Type of supply (eg sale, lease, rent).
• Description of goods supplied.
• Quantity supplied, cost, tax rate (usually 17.5 per cent) and the VAT on each item.
• Discounts, if any.
• Total cost, excluding VAT.
• Total VAT.

5.3 A less detailed invoice can be used for sales below £100, showing just the name, address, VAT number and total cost.

5.4 No tax invoice is necessary for sales direct to the public - for example, in a shop - unless one is asked for.