How to get VAT registered in the UK? 2025 Guide

Paola Faben Oliveira

UK businesses need to understand how to register for VAT based on their entity type and turnover. The process for registering a company for VAT is completed online - and while it includes a few separate steps, it’s not usually too tricky. This guide walks through when to register for VAT and the VAT registration process you’ll follow.

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How does VAT work in the UK?

Before we look at how to get VAT registered it helps to know how VAT works for businesses in the UK. VAT - value added tax - is charged on most goods and services sold in the UK by VAT registered businesses¹.

If you’re a VAT registered UK business you’ll need to add VAT costs to the price of your goods, collect the VAT from your customers, and pay any VAT you collect to HMRC. You can offset the VAT you pay to other companies against the amount you’ve collected before you make your payment to HMRC.

This guide is for information only - tax is often complex and if you’re unsure about what tax you should collect, report or pay for your UK business, you’ll need to seek professional support as soon as possible.

When to register for VAT?

You must register your UK business for VAT if your annual taxable turnover exceeds the VAT  threshold, or if you expect to exceed the threshold in the next 30 days. The VAT  threshold does change from time to time, but at the time of writing this is set at 90,000 GBP annually².

There are a couple of other reasons you may need to register for VAT, even if your business doesn’t meet the VAT  threshold - usually if you and your business are based outside the UK and you supply any goods or services to the UK.

You may also register voluntarily for VAT if you choose to, regardless of your turnover.

How to register for VAT - step-by-step

If you’re about to hit the VAT threshold, it’s time to sort out your VAT registration with HMRC. Failing to do so on time can mean you have to pay penalties.

Here’s an overview of step-by-step how to register a business for VAT in the UK.

Gather the VAT registration information needed

To register a limited company for UK VAT you’ll need:

  • Your company registration number
  • Your business’s bank account details
  • Your HMRC issued Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
  • Your annual turnover and an estimate of your taxable turnover for the next year

You must also provide information about tax including your HMRC self assessment, corporation tax and Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

To register as an individual or as a partnership for UK VAT you’ll need:

  • Your National Insurance number
  • Your passport or driving licence
  • Your bank account details
  • Your HMRC issued Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
  • Your annual turnover and an estimate of your taxable turnover for the next year

You must also provide information about tax including your HMRC self assessment, your payslips and your P60.

Register for VAT online

You can register for VAT online through the HMRC website. You’ll need to use your Government Gateway user ID and password, or create one if you’ve never registered for the system before. You’re guided through the process of registering for VAT by online prompts, and you can save your application at any time if you need to come back to it later.

There are a few situations in which you’re asked to register for VAT by mail, but these are less common than online registration. It's also possible to have an agent register for you if you’d prefer - in this case the agent will guide you through what’s required end to end.

Get confirmation of VAT registration by mail

Once you’ve completed the initial registration, HMRC will write to you to confirm:

  • Your 9-digit VAT registration number
  • Details of when to submit your first VAT return and payment
  • Your official VAT registration date

Register for a VAT online account

The last step to get registered for VAT in the UK is to set up your VAT online account. This is managed through the Government Gateway portal, and allows you to manage all of your ongoing VAT obligations digitally. You’ll need to have your 9-digit VAT registration number to hand to register for this service.

How much does it cost to be VAT registered?

There’s no VAT registration cost levied by HMRC or the UK government. You can follow the registration process yourself online through the Government Gateway portal.

If you’d prefer to use an agent or an accountant to register for VAT this is also possible - and in this case, the agent will set their own fee depending on the service you’re using.

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FAQs - how to register for vat

What information do I need to provide when registering for VAT?

The information needed depends on what entity type you have - as an example, to register a limited company for UK VAT you’ll need your company registration number and bank account details, your HMRC issued Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), and information about your annual turnover. You must also provide information about tax including your HMRC self assessment, corporation tax and Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

How long does it take to get a VAT registration number?

You’ll receive your VAT registration number by mail, which can mean you need to wait a while. There’s a handy service on the UK government website which lets you enter the details of your case and check how long it is likely to take to get a response from HMRC³. This will help you assess the likely delay before you can register for the full VAT online service.

What are the obligations after registering for VAT?

After registering your UK business for VAT you’ll need to charge VAT on relevant sales, collect VAT from customers, and account for all VAT collected and paid by yourself to other businesses. You’ll then need to report the amount of VAT you charged your customers and the amount of VAT you paid to other businesses by sending a VAT return to HMRC every 3 months.


Getting VAT registered is another step in your business journey - and while it’s not complicated, it is extremely important to be able to trade legally in the UK. This guide covers all you need to know to register your business for VAT easily and with minimum fuss.

Sources used in this article:

  1. UK government - how VAT works
  2. UK government - how to register for VAT
  3. HMRC - check wait times

Sources last checked 30/06/2025


*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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