eBay VAT Question

[Mirdude]

We noticed the UK Value Added Tax (VAT) information on your account isn’t up to date. To continue selling on ebay.co.uk without interruption, please add a valid UK VAT number to your account within 30 days.

What you need to do
Register for UK VAT by visiting HMRC’s website.
Add or update your VAT number with eBay.
Tip: You can add VAT IDs for each country you pay VAT
Confirm your business name on eBay matches what's on your HMRC registration. To make any edits, go to the Business Details section of your account.
Make sure to include the correct item location in your listing.
Once you’ve updated your information, we’ll automatically add your UK VAT ID to your UK listings.


Quick few questions on this which has come about today on my eBay:


This is a EUROPEAN stealth, so for VAT registration would I require ID and such?
Would it make more sense to register it as a UK business, as oppose to a sole person?

I'm unsure how to go about it, I was going to enter an incorrect number but I don't know if that will work.

[SaiJin]

JAMES, you think you can help here on the UK end?

[murdered_by_ebay]

this is the tax law , if you are registered outside the UK and sell only one items with location in the UK you have to register for UK VAT

you can sell with foreign locations though

[degsey69]

Yes if you are outside the UK you have to register for VAT, strangely for foreign companies the VAT address will be HMRC address and not the foreign one.

[rsot]

sounds like you need the registration OP

[murdered_by_ebay]

you don't need to register for VAT if you are outside the UK but only if you sell one item that states UK as location

I actually once did it with a foreign ebay account , I was restricted within several hours. Later I was reinstated again but was told not to do such listings anymore unless I can provide VAT number for that account

[Mirdude]

Originally Posted by murdered_by_ebay

you don't need to register for VAT if you are outside the UK but only if you sell one item that states UK as location

I actually once did it with a foreign ebay account , I was restricted within several hours. Later I was reinstated again but was told not to do such listings anymore unless I can provide VAT number for that account

Do they actually check the VAT numbers though?

[murdered_by_ebay]

all VAT numbers are verified

[degsey69]

In the UK anybody can check to see if the VAT number is genuine and the name a address will be giver about the company.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by murdered_by_ebay

all VAT numbers are verified

seems to be public info if wanted, indeed.

[Mirdude]

Originally Posted by murdered_by_ebay

all VAT numbers are verified

I get that but if you are selling surely eBay will not go through and check that the VAT is in your name?

As long as there is a legit VAT number, the acc will be fine no?

[murdered_by_ebay]

VAT is always verified

[aslam]

Any body know if I have to change or update my VAT as it was expired long ago but still attached to my ebay account even the company is strike off ? Do I need to update my details or keep selling until ebay notice it and ask me for the update ? or should I do it before hand

[degsey69]

I would preemptively do it, you do not need a VAT audit on a customer you sold to and HMRC check the VAT numbers and see it is expired, they may contact eBay, or the buyer may also, especially if they are regular buyers everything you sold the the VAT man sswill ask for the refunded tax back. If it was me I would be on eBays back should this have happed to me.

[Hank]

Originally Posted by Mirdude

I get that but if you are selling surely eBay will not go through and check that the VAT is in your name?

As long as there is a legit VAT number, the acc will be fine no?

We live in the world of real time computer monitoring. Nothing is being manually checked, it's all automated, all the time, in real time.

I had a Limited Company and applied for it to be voluntarily struck off, within days Barclays were on to me saying my account should be closed before it is struck off or they would keep any monies still in the account. Not in a threatening way, just legal protocol.

On another Company I added someone as a PSC, again, withing 4 weeks or so Amazon were on to me saying I needed to update the account ownership/control details.

Everything is monitored in real time, but I guess if you added a valid VAT number of another company and ebay accepted it and it remains valid then you should be okay.

Not sure its a game I want to play though I ain't issuing fraudulent VAT receipts or messing with HMRC if they find out.