If your UK business is VAT-registered, your invoices have to do more than ask for payment — they are legal tax documents, and HMRC is specific about what must be on them. Get it wrong and your customer cannot reclaim the VAT, which is a fast way to lose repeat business.

Here is what a compliant UK VAT invoice needs.

The essentials every VAT invoice must show

Your business name, address and VAT number — the VAT number is the part people most often forget.

A unique invoice number — sequential, with no gaps or duplicates.

The invoice date and the tax point (the date the goods or services were supplied, if different).

Your customer's name and address.

A description of the goods or services , with quantities.

The VAT rate applied to each item — standard 20%, reduced 5%, zero-rated 0%, or exempt.

The VAT amount per rate, and the total excluding VAT, the VAT, and the total including VAT.

The total amount payable and the currency.

For a full checklist and examples, see the guide: UK VAT Invoice…