Skip to main content How to find your VAT certificate
A VAT certificate contains essential information about your VAT status and is an important document to have to hand if you run a VAT-registered business. Whether you’ve lost your original copy or just need to double-check your details, don’t panic - it’s easy to get the information you need from HMRC. Read on to find out how to access that all-important VAT certificate online or register for VAT if you haven’t already.
What is a VAT certificate?
A VAT certificate is a document that HMRC provides to confirm that your business is officially registered for VAT. It includes:
- your business’s unique VAT number
- the effective date of registration (the date from which VAT needs to be charged on VATable sales)
- details of when to submit your business’s first VAT return and payment
Remember, your business will need to display its VAT number on all invoices where VAT is being charged so that your customers can see that your business is an official collector of VAT and is registered with HMRC.
How to view your VAT certificate online
If you can’t find your VAT certificate, don’t worry. Whether you’ve misplaced your original certificate or just want to check that the details you have are correct, it’s super easy to access your VAT certificate online. Quick tip: it’s worth saving or printing a copy for your records.
1. Log in to HMRC online services
You’ll need to use your Government Gateway user ID and password.
2. Select ‘View your VAT account’
You’ll see this on the first page of HMRC online services after login.
3. Select ‘View VAT certificate’
You’ll then see your VAT details displayed, and you can print a copy or download it as a PDF.
Don’t have a VAT certificate yet? Here’s how to register
First, take a look at our guide to VAT registration and confirm whether you need to register your business for VAT. You must register if your annual VATable sales are more than £90,000 (as of 1st April 2024), but you can register voluntarily if your turnover is less than this.
Most businesses can register for VAT online. You’ll need an HMRC online services account to get started. Check out HMRC’s website for their full guide to registering your business for VAT.
When will your VAT certificate be available?
Previously, HMRC said VAT certificates would be issued within 30 working days after VAT registration. However, this is no longer specified on HMRC’s website so this length of time may now vary. A copy will be sent to your HMRC online services account, which you can access with your Government Gateway credentials. You can view your certificate by following the three steps outlined above.
Recording your VAT certificate in FreeAgent
If you’re setting up your FreeAgent account, you’ll ideally have your VAT certificate to hand, so that you can enter the required details. However, if you’ve only recently registered for VAT and don’t have your certificate yet, you can follow these steps in the meantime.
Ready to make invoicing and handling VAT a whole lot easier? Try a 30-day free trial of FreeAgent.
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Disclaimer: The content included in this blog post is based on our understanding of tax law at the time of publication. It may be subject to change and may not be applicable to your circumstances, so should not be relied upon. You are responsible for complying with tax law and should seek independent advice if you require further information about the content included in this blog post. If you don't have an accountant, take a look at our directory to find a FreeAgent Practice Partner based in your local area.
