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Definition
A VAT registration number is the unique identifier HMRC issues when a business registers for VAT. It must appear on all VAT invoices and is used to verify a business is genuinely registered.
In plain terms
It is your VAT ID — a nine-digit number (usually shown with a GB prefix). Customers and suppliers can check it is valid, and you must quote it whenever you charge VAT.
Why it matters for your company
Showing a valid VAT number on invoices is a legal requirement and lets customers reclaim the VAT you charge. Trading as if registered without a number, or using an invalid one, causes disputes and HMRC problems.
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