Why does my monthly bill triple if I want a VAT invoice?

[Kryten602]

I've just switched over from PlusNet and although my bill is only £6 pm EE can't provide a VAT invoice without me switching to a Small Business plan at almost 3 times the price. How hard can it be to provide a VAT invoice in you're charging customers VAT? There must be a legal point here somewhere.

[bristolian]

I would assume you're on a promotional ex-PlusNet plan, and EE do only provide separated-VAT-invoices on business accounts.

Individual persons cannot be VAT-registered.

[Kryten602]

Thank you Bristolian. I understand what you say, but none the less I am a sole trader since around 1980 and have been VAT registered since 1994. Although in this case £12 a year is negligible and unimportant if I want to claim VAT I would have to upgrade to business use which is more expensive and with no meaningful upgrade advantage.With the bare bones plan I have UL texts and calls + 5GB is perfect as I work from home. However, there's always a way.....

Thanks for the reply.

(By the way unless things have changed with HMRC your second paragraph is untrue.)

[Kryten602]

I've dug a bit deeper on this VAT issue and it looks as though they're required by law to issue VAT invoice to a taxable person, which I am. Why do EE avoid this when it's not difficult to supply one?

[Primera]

I agree, am same situation as @Kryten602 . Please can EE issue VAT invoices.

[Leanne_T]

Morning @Primera 

Our bills for personal users show all charges inclusive of VAT. If you need a VAT breakdown for business purposes, please get in touch with our mobile guides to arrange switching to a business account.

The team will go through the plans and let you know what options are available.

Leanne. 

[Kryten602]

Yes Leanne, at almost 3 times the price. You're still avoiding the real issue.

[zipsco]

I too want an invoice showing the VAT breakdown.  If VAT is being charged, the customer is entitled to a proper VAT invoice, regardless or whether they are a business or not.  If I buy a pack of envelopes at Ryman, for instance, the till receipt shows the company's VAT number and the breakdown.  So why the reluctance by EE?  I'm sure if this were to be tested, it would be found that EE is acting unlawfully by charging VAT but refusing to reveal their number and the breakdown on the bill.

[Kryten602]

Yes, I'm wondering the same thing - if it may be unlawful to charge VAT and not show it.

This is on the HMRC website:

Invoices - what they must include

Your invoice must include:

• a unique identification number
• your company name, address and contact information
• the company name and address of the customer you’re invoicing
• a clear description of what you’re charging for
• the date the goods or service were provided (supply date)
• the date of the invoice
• the amount(s) being charged
• VAT amount if applicable
• the total amount owed

And:

VAT invoices

You must use VAT invoices if you and your customer are VAT registered.

EE - any comment please?

[Chris_B]

@Kryten602  You then need to be on a business tariff, your using a personal tariff and  personal tariffs don’t have  to list  VAT  separately just because you are VAT registered.  In fact you shouldn’t be claiming back any VAT on a personal tariff as you should be paying VAT on personal tariff and it’s why there are business tariffs available.       So to be clear you’ve got the option to be on the correct tariff but you don’t want to be.     

The 3rd item on your list is a company name this will happen when you’re on a business tariff as the company is claiming back the VAT.