Checking your VAT number and certificate
What to do when your VAT certificate arrives
HMRC issues a VAT registration certificate to your registered address within 10 to 15 working days of a successful registration. It confirms your VAT number, effective date, and return periods.
What to do when it arrives
Forward a copy to us immediately. We update your Xero VAT settings with the VAT number and confirm the return periods match what Xero is configured for. You must also update your invoice template branding theme in Xero to display the VAT number on all invoices issued from the effective date. The ‘show tax number’ checkbox simply needs marking to achieve this.
Verifying the certificate details
Check that the effective date matches what was requested and that the return periods are as expected. Quarter end months of March, June, September, December are standard. If anything looks incorrect, we contact HMRC to amend it before the first return is due.
💡 Good to know: Your VAT number is permanent and does not change even if you change accountants or move address. It is in the format GB followed by nine digits. Display it on all invoices, your website, and business stationery.
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Phone: 020 3897 2233
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