Is it illegal for a company to not provide you with a VAT invoice upon request?

Question

My mobile phone carrier (O2) said they would only provide an invoice to me if I was on a business tariff.

Answer 1

They should supply one if you ask.

Answer 2

1. I am sure a company like O2 is going to be right.

2. As someone else said you don't need and probably are not legally entitled to receive a VAT invoice if you are not VAT registered and why would you need it?

3. To answer my own question 2. An individual can be VAT registered (my wife for example) and therefore need the VAT receipt. Unfortunately as you have told them it is non-business account they are being awkward.

Can you change it to a business tariff? Is it much more expensive?

It does sound a bit odd. Do you get any invoice at all? Or is it paperless? If so just copy the details off the internet and use that as proof of VAT paid.

To find the definitive answer to your question, 'phone the VAT office.

There must be an invoice of some sort, that must have the VAT registered number on it if issued by a VAT reg. company (obviously O2 is), there must be VAT included in the final total. So you could just write the VAT breakdown on it and use it to claim the VAT back against your sales as per usual.

What is the difference between a VAT receipt and a receipt? In PC World I always get a receipt and then on request get a VAT receipt. Now the receipt does not show the breakdown for VAT but says "required for refunds or exchanges" and has their VAT reg no. at the bottom. The VAT receipt says "VAT receipt, not valid for refund or guarantee purposes" and has the VAT breakdown and VAT reg no.

I think I have seen some VAT petrol receipts that don't show the VAT breakdown. I would be interested in the definitive answer.

Answer 3

if you need one then they have to supply you. no questions asked.....

Answer 4

That does sort of make sense why would u need a VAT invoice if you are not a business.VAT invoices are so that business's can claim back at the end of the tax year

Answer 5

If you are not registered for VAT, then they will not give you a invoice, you only need a invoice, so that you can get your money back at the end of the year.