VAT Number Checker: check a UK VAT number with HMRC
Enter a VAT number to check it is valid and registered with HMRC. You get the business name and address HMRC holds, and a link to the company's Companies House record. Free, no login.
How to Check a UK VAT Number - 4 Steps
- Enter the VAT number - type or paste the 9-digit number in any format (GB prefix optional, spaces ignored)
- Instant checksum validation - the Modulus 97 algorithm confirms the number's mathematical structure in milliseconds
- HMRC live verification - we query HMRC's official VAT database to confirm active registration and return the registered business name and address
- Companies House cross-reference - we automatically search 5.7 million UK companies to find the matching record so you can view directors, SIC codes, and filings
What Is a UK VAT Number?
A UK VAT number is a unique 9-digit identifier assigned by HMRC to businesses registered for Value Added Tax. It follows the format GB followed by 9 digits (e.g., GB 123 4567 89). Government departments use a GD prefix, and health authorities use HA.
Why Check a VAT Number Before Paying
- Protect your VAT reclaim: You can only reclaim input VAT on invoices where the supplier's number is genuinely registered with HMRC. An invalid number means HMRC can deny your claim.
- Verify suppliers: Confirm a supplier is legitimately VAT registered before processing their invoices - a basic and essential step in supplier due diligence
- Detect VAT fraud: Fraudulent invoices often use random numbers that fail the checksum test. Verification catches these before you pay.
- Avoid liability: If HMRC determines you paid VAT on a fraudulent invoice and should have known, you may be held liable for the tax
UK VAT Number Format
| Type | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Standard business | GB + 9 digits | GB 123 4567 89 |
| Government department | GDNNN | GD001 |
| Health authority | HANNN | HA501 |
Related VAT and Company Verification Tools
- Free Company Search - Look up any UK company on the Companies House register
- Company Director Search - Find directors and officers by name
- PSC Lookup - Check who owns or controls a UK company
- Registered Office Checker - Find a company's official registered address
- How to Verify a UK VAT Number - Full guide to VAT verification
- Business Credit Checks Explained - What to check before dealing with a new supplier
How to Check a VAT Number with HMRC for Free
HMRC provides a free VAT number verification service through its online portal and API. This tool uses that same HMRC API to give you instant results. You can also check directly at gov.uk/check-uk-vat-number - though the manual portal only confirms validity, not the business name or address.
For businesses needing to verify numbers regularly, HMRC's VAT number validation API (part of the Making Tax Digital programme) is free to use with no rate limits for standard business verification.
What Happens If a UK VAT Number Is Invalid?
An invalid VAT number on a supplier invoice has serious implications:
- You cannot reclaim the VAT - HMRC can deny your input tax claim if the supplier's number is not genuinely registered
- You may be liable for the tax - if HMRC determines you knew or should have known the number was fake, they can hold you responsible for the unpaid VAT
- The supplier may be committing fraud - report suspected VAT fraud to HMRC's fraud hotline on 0800 788 887
A number can fail validation for several reasons: a typo in the invoice, the business has since deregistered from VAT (common when turnover drops below £88,000), or it is a deliberately fabricated number on a fraudulent invoice.
When Does a Business Have to Register for VAT in the UK?
VAT registration is compulsory once a business's taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period. New companies must register within 30 days of the end of the month in which they crossed the threshold.
Many new companies register voluntarily before reaching the threshold - particularly if their customers are VAT-registered businesses who can reclaim the VAT, or if the company wants to appear more established. Voluntary registration can be applied for from day one of trading.
Once registered, a VAT number is typically issued within 30 working days and must appear on all VAT invoices. Use this tool to verify that newly registered suppliers' numbers are live on the HMRC database before processing their invoices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a UK VAT number?
A UK VAT number is a unique identifier issued by HMRC to businesses registered for Value Added Tax. It follows the format GB followed by 9 digits (for example GB 123 4567 89). Government departments use a GD prefix and health authorities use HA. Businesses must display their VAT number on invoices and receipts once registered.
How do I check if a UK VAT number is valid?
Enter the number into this tool and it runs two checks: a mathematical validation using the Modulus 97 algorithm (to confirm the number's structure is correct), followed by a live query against HMRC's official VAT database (to confirm the number is actively registered and return the business name and address).
Is this VAT number checker free?
Yes. This tool is completely free to use, requires no registration, and provides instant results from HMRC's official database. You can check as many VAT numbers as you need.
What does it mean if a VAT number fails validation?
If the number fails the mathematical check, it is structurally incorrect - possibly a typo or fabricated number. If it passes the format check but HMRC returns no match, the number is not on the live register - it may have been cancelled, deregistered, or never existed. In either case, do not pay VAT on invoices bearing that number until it is resolved.
Can I reclaim VAT if a supplier's VAT number turns out to be wrong?
Generally no. HMRC can reject input tax claims where the supplier's VAT number on the invoice is invalid. It is your responsibility to take reasonable steps to verify a supplier's VAT registration before reclaiming the tax. Checking the number before paying is both quick and legally prudent.
What is the VIES database and can I use it to verify UK VAT numbers?
VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) is the EU system for checking VAT numbers across member states. Since Brexit, UK VAT numbers (with the GB prefix) are no longer listed on VIES. UK VAT numbers must now be verified directly through HMRC's own API, which is exactly what this tool uses.
How do I find a company's VAT number?
VAT numbers are not part of the public Companies House register, so they do not appear on company search results. The easiest way is to ask the supplier directly or check their invoices, receipts, or website. Some businesses display their VAT number in their footer or on their 'About' page.
When does a business have to register for VAT?
A business must register for VAT when its taxable turnover exceeds the current VAT threshold (currently £90,000 over any rolling 12-month period). Businesses below this threshold can register voluntarily, which can be advantageous if they sell to other VAT-registered businesses or want to reclaim input tax.
Can a sole trader or freelancer have a VAT number?
Yes. VAT registration is based on the nature and turnover of a business, not its legal structure. Sole traders, partnerships, limited companies, and other entities can all register for VAT. A VAT number starting with GB will be issued regardless of whether the business is incorporated or not.
What is the difference between a VAT number and a company registration number?
A company registration number (CRN) is issued by Companies House when a business incorporates and identifies the legal entity on the company register. A VAT number is issued by HMRC to businesses registered for Value Added Tax. Not all companies are VAT registered, and not all VAT-registered businesses are limited companies.
What is VAT number fraud and how common is it?
VAT fraud involves using false, cancelled, or stolen VAT numbers on invoices to charge and collect VAT that is never paid to HMRC. It is more common in construction, catering, and certain supply chains. Verifying a supplier's VAT number before paying is one of the simplest ways to protect your business and your ability to reclaim input tax.
Do VAT numbers ever get cancelled or changed?
Yes. A VAT number becomes inactive if a business deregisters - for example, because turnover has fallen below the threshold or the business has closed. VAT numbers are not recycled or reassigned to other businesses, so a deregistered number will simply return no match on the live HMRC register.
Is this the same as the HMRC VAT checker?
It uses the same source. Every check here is a live query to HMRC's Check a UK VAT number service, so the result is exactly what HMRC's own checker returns. The difference is what we add around it: the Companies House record for the same business, its directors and registered office, and no need to enter your own VAT number first.
Can I check a VAT number by company name?
Not directly - HMRC's service only accepts a VAT number, and there is no public register that maps company names to VAT numbers. If you only have a name, look the company up in the free company search first: many businesses print their VAT number on their website, invoices or Companies House filings, and the profile links you to the record.