# What is a VAT registration number?

Checked 2026-10-01. By the RewardsPilot team.

A VAT registration number is the 9-digit number HM Revenue and Customs gives a business when it registers for VAT, usually shown with the prefix GB. It must appear on every VAT invoice the business issues, is the reference used when paying a VAT bill, and is found on the VAT registration certificate and in the VAT online account.

## What to know

- When paying VAT to HMRC, the 9 digits are used without spaces as the payment reference.
- A supplier's VAT number on an invoice is what lets a customer reclaim the VAT charged.
- It is separate from the company's UTR, its PAYE accounts office reference and its Companies House number.
- A business registers once taxable turnover passes £90,000 in 12 months, or voluntarily below that.

Sources: GOV.UK, "Register for VAT" (https://www.gov.uk/register-for-vat); GOV.UK, "Pay your VAT bill" (https://www.gov.uk/pay-vat). Checked 2026-10-01.

## Related

- [How to pay your VAT bill](https://www.rewardspilot.co.uk/pay/vat)
- [What is VAT?](https://www.rewardspilot.co.uk/learn/vat)

Official facts are quoted from GOV.UK and can change. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.

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