VAT Documentation Rules

INFORMATION REQUIRED ON VAT INVOICES

In the last edition of VAT Bulletin we reported the changes to information required on VAT invoices. We subsequently received a number of enquiries about the 10 mandatory items of information required, and those that are no longer required. We have therefore reproduced below lists of those items.

Information required from 1 January 2004:

1. An identifying number
2. The time of the supply
3. The date of the issue of the document
4. The name, address and registration number of the supplier
5. The name and address of the person to whom the goods or services are supplied
6. A description sufficient to identify the goods or services supplied
7. For each description, the quantity of the goods or the extent of the services, and the rate of VAT and the amount payable, excluding VAT, expressed in sterling
8. The gross total amount payable, excluding VAT, expressed in sterling
9. The rate of any cash discount offered
10. The unit price.

Items no longer required:

1. The type of supply by reference to the following categories-
   1. A supply by sale
   2. A supply on hire purchase or any similar transaction
   3. A supply by loan
   4. A supply by way of exchange
   5. A supply on hire, lease or rental
   6. A supply of goods made from the customer’s materials
   7. A supply by sale on commission viii. A supply on sale or return or similar terms, or
   8. Any other type of supply which the Commissioners may at any time by notice specify
2. Each rate of VAT chargeable and the amount of VAT chargeable, expressed in sterling, at each such rate, and
3. The total amount of VAT chargeable, expressed in sterling

For more information visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/vat-notice-70021-keeping-vat-records/vat-notice-70021-keeping-vat-records