What do I need for a purchase invoice to be valid for VAT purposes?

If you are VAT-registered, keeping hold of your purchase invoices is a requirement for HMRC purposes. But what is a valid purchase invoice for VAT purposes?

1. Most importantly, you cannot claim VAT on your purchases on an invalid purchase invoice, a pro-forma invoice, a statement, a delivery note or a card receipt. If you ask for a VAT receipt, it is your responsibility to check it is valid for the purposes of claiming back the VAT. For some industries (eg. printing), you may be provided with a pro-forma invoice when ordering, and then a VAT invoice is issued at the same time as the order. You cannot claim the VAT on a pro-forma invoice and must wait for the VAT invoice to be issued.
2. Information required on a purchase invoice to be valid for VAT purposes are:
   • Name of supplier
   • VAT number of supplier
   • Address of supplier
   • Time of supply (usually the date of purchase)
   • Net amount payable
   • VAT payable
   • Gross amount payable
   • VAT rate applied
   • Currency used – if a foreign currency is used, the VAT amount must be stated in GBP (Pound Sterling).