topic Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ? in My Account/Billing

Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

birdbox — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 15:47:02 GMT

This is not a vat invoice.
I am vat registered and want to avoid unnecessary issues with any future vat inspection. I emailed billing and they said only business clients can have a vat invoice.
Is this legal to refuse a vat invoice ?
Why waste time in the first place showing on the invoice that it isn't a vat invoice, whilst at the same time showing the vat paid ?
Has common sense gone out of the window ?

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

adamwalker — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:07:34 GMT

Can you PM me your username please and I'll look into this. We don't provide them by default for residential accounts.
BTW the only account I've been able to find for you so far is a free residential pay as you go one (i.e one we don't bill for).
Adam

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

birdbox — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:33:40 GMT

What's the problem with this ?
Members can see their invoices each month - many have their employers pay them . So, why when you show all the figures, do you then say 'This is not a vat invoice' ?
This prevents a registered vat individual from recovering the vat paid to Plusnet ?

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

Chris — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 16:36:10 GMT

He hasn't said we won't provide one, just that we don't provide them by default?
We simply need to be able to identify your account so we can sort it out. As the account associated with your forum username is a free account and doesn't have any reference to the ticket you raised asking for this VAT invoice previously.

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

birdbox — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:08:48 GMT

Quote from: birdbox
What's the problem with this ?
Members can see their invoices each month - many have their employers pay them . So, why when you show all the figures, do you then say 'This is not a vat invoice' ?
This prevents a registered vat individual from recovering the vat paid to Plusnet ?

I'm going to PM Adam on this re our particular circumstance but to recap - why go to this bother in the first place ?
dick:green Quote tags added.

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

adamwalker — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:15:18 GMT

As per my reply to your PM there really is no problem, we just don't provide VAT invoices by default for residential accounts. However. we're happy to do so on request.

Quote
why go to this bother in the first place

As I've mentioned you need to request them for residential accounts. Normally we'd ask you to raise a ticket but seeing as you've raised the matter on here I really don't mind picking it up for you.
Adam.

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

Wheel_nut — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 17:48:41 GMT

Adam, The question is WHY don't you provide a PDF VAT invoice by default?
The disclaimer suggests that the Invoice is NOT final and is subject to alteration.
Also, there are frequently discrepancies between the Invoice and the Itemised Phone bill on my account. Have a look at the current month if you want to see what I am on about.

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

Nick_Russell — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 18:50:06 GMT

This is not a vat invoice. - why????
It is itemised and VAT rate and amount is shown. So why say it is not a VAT invoice? It does not have the VAT number shown (is this the reason?), so why cannot Plusnet add VAT number to all invoices?

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

ian007jen — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 22:04:58 GMT

Hi,
When i was a plusnet customer i used a program called paperport to "erase" the comment "this is not a VAT invoice" and and the Plusnet VAT Number "VAT Number GB 245719348"
Job done
Ian

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

adamwalker — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 10:55:10 GMT

Quote
Adam, The question is WHY don't you provide a PDF VAT invoice by default?

I'm sure PDF would be favourable, this system is a few years old and for what ever reason was not developed with that in mind.

Quote
It is itemised and VAT rate and amount is shown. So why say it is not a VAT invoice? It does not have the VAT number shown (is this the reason?), so why cannot Plusnet add VAT number to all invoices?

Am I missing something here? are you saying that VAT invoices state that they are NOT VAT invoices?
Adam

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

Nick_Russell — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:11:27 GMT

Quote from: _Adam_Walker_
Am I missing something here? are you saying that VAT invoices state that they are NOT VAT invoices?

Well yes I guess. The invoice I get states "This is not a VAT invoice" yet it separately itemises VAT amount and rate but does not show VAT number so it cannot be used as a VAT invoice. So why not just add VAT number?

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

adamwalker — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 11:33:45 GMT

This needs fixing, I'll get on the case and report this.

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

itsme — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:11:37 GMT

Quote from: ian007jen
When i was a plusnet customer i used a program called paperport to "erase" the comment "this is not a VAT invoice".

Was this for your accounts or for your employer? It all depend how deeply the Tax inspectors look at the paperwork if they see a invoice without a VAT reference they should/will not refund the VAT.
Personally I don't see a problem as there are plenty of receipts that show VAT but are not recognise as VAT receipts, the most common is receipts for fuel as most will know that you have to ask for a VAT receipt.

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

ian007jen — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:13:41 GMT

It was for my accounts; I also added the VAT Number to each invoice. "GB 245719348"
BT residential also use this technique for non business customers ie. adding "this is not a VAT invoice"
Ian

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

birdbox — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:48:51 GMT

It's such a simple question - and yet we haven't got it resolved.
[Itsme] solution isn't on - it's a criminal offence to submit a forged vat invoice (even though his answer is common sense - the authorities have pursued these unfortunate individuals).
The Vat number is already shown, the Vat amount is already calculated - so why not leave it at that instead of adding as you do: This is not a VAT invoice ?

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

Nick_Russell — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 07:56:12 GMT

Quote from: birdbox
The Vat number is already shown, the Vat amount is already calculated - so why not leave it at that instead of adding as you do: This is not a VAT invoice ?

The point is the VAT number is not shown, only VAT rate.
So as has been said already, why not just add VAT number and remove "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

birdbox — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 08:48:57 GMT

[Nick Russell] - of course you're right.
The Vat number is not shown.
It would only take that to be added and removing the disclaimer 'This is not a VAT invoice'
Then everyone would be happy. Similarly, BT do this same practise - is that why Plusnet does it too ?
It's just making unnecessary work for everyone
I'd like to think Plusnet - who extol the virtue of a Yorkshire based business - will apply common sense and get it sorted soon.

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

Strat — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:06:58 GMT

HMRC's take on this here http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/managing/charging/vat-invoices.htm

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

birdbox — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 09:17:26 GMT

[STRAT] thanks for link to HMRC requirements for VAT invoices.
It seems to me and others on this topic that Plusnet invoices could fall under the simplified vat receipts rules.
Taking the explanation directly from the HMRC site as follows:
Simplified VAT invoices
If you make retail sales and you make a sale of goods or services for £250 or less including VAT, then when a customer asks for a VAT invoice, you can issue a simplified VAT invoice that only needs to show:
* the seller's name and address
* the seller's VAT registration number
* the time of supply (tax point)
* a description of the goods or services
Whatever it is, Plusnet should be able to simplify their billing system to show what is required for us registered VAT members to properly reclaim the VAT paid.

Re: Why does my invoice show: "This is not a VAT invoice" ?

itsme — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 15:02:34 GMT

Quote from: birdbox

[Itsme] solution isn't on - it's a criminal offence to submit a forged vat invoice (even though his answer is common sense - the authorities have pursued these unfortunate individuals).

Not sure why you directed your reply to me as I did not suggest a solution, I only asked a question and pointed out that it's commonplace not to issue a VAT invoice. If you want a solution then transfer to a Business account.