Q. I have Applied to Register my Café Business for VAT from 1 July, but the VAT Number hasn’t Arrived. What Should I Show on Invoices from that Date?
A:
- You should charge your customers the basic price plus 20% VAT from 1 July, but you can’t show the VAT amount separately on the invoice. As you are a retail business, and your individual invoices are likely to be £250 or less (including VAT) you are not required to issue full VAT invoices. You should issue simplified VAT invoices, which must include the following:
- Your business name and address
- VAT registration number (say ‘VAT number applied for’ until you get it)
- date of the sale
- description of the goods or services supplied;
- total amount payable including VAT;
- for each rate of VAT chargeable, the gross amount payable including VAT; and
- the VAT rate applicable.
