VAT invoices: what a valid invoice must show
A guide to ensuring your VAT invoices are legally valid
To reclaim input VAT on a purchase, you must hold a valid VAT invoice from the supplier. To charge VAT legitimately on a sale, your invoice must also meet HMRC's requirements.
What a valid VAT invoice must include
- Your company name and address
- Your VAT registration number
- A unique sequential invoice number
- The invoice date (tax point)
- The customer's name and address
- A description of the goods or services
- The net amount, the VAT rate, the VAT amount, and the gross total
Simplified invoices
For supplies totaling £250 or less including VAT, a simplified invoice showing just the supplier's name, address, VAT registration number, date, description, and the total VAT-inclusive amount with the rate is sufficient.
💡 Good to know: We configure your Xero invoice template to include all required fields during setup. Check a test invoice to confirm your VAT registration number, company address, and line-level VAT breakdown are all showing correctly before sending invoices to customers.
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