Legal requirements for your invoice

Many people have asked us what information they have to legally disclose on their company’s invoices. So here’s our list:

  • full name of company
  • registration number of company
  • registered office address
  • country of incorporation
  • details of any regulated professsion
  • either a list of all the directors or no list at all

If you are VAT registered you also need the following:

  • VAT number
  • sequentual invoice number
  • date of supply of goods/services
  • name and address of your client/customer
  • description of the goods/services sold
  • amount excluding VAT, total amount of VAT at each VAT rate applicable, gross amount payable
  • amounts should be quoted in £sterling

7 comments ↓

#1 Colin Pattison on 07.20.09 at 9:54 am

Hi, thanks for the info.
Could you advise how old can an invoice still be valid - i.e. for how long can we pursue payment from the invoice date.
Regards
Colin

#2 admin on 07.21.09 at 12:50 am

This is more a legal question so we recommend speaking to a lawyer. It is likely to be several years but will depend on the specific circumstances of each case.

#3 Gill Tillett on 02.02.10 at 5:00 am

Can you reject an invoice until the company issues it with your address correctly spelt?

#4 EVELYN on 02.03.10 at 3:07 pm

Can a client raise/create an invoice for a supplier/contractor? if no, why not?

#5 admin on 02.05.10 at 7:23 am

Gill - if an invoice is incorrect you can dispute it with the supplier. We would expect them to change the address if it meant getting paid.

Evelyn - a client is unlikely to be aware of all the information that is legally required for the invoice. If you do want to issue the invoice on behalf of the supplier we suggest you get them to sign it to indicate it is validly prepared.

#6 Pamela on 04.01.10 at 8:24 am

Where do you stand if a supplier does not issue you with an invoice?

#7 admin on 04.02.10 at 2:05 am

If you do not receive an invoice demanding payment you should at least ask for a written receipt to prove that you have paid the amount owing.

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