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Intracomunitary EU number
I am a self employed translator based in the UK. One of my clients is based in Spain and they are asking me for my "intracomunitary number". I am not sure exactly what that is in the UK (where I pay my taxes). All I have is my Unique Tax Number, and apparently that is not the number. I had phone HMRC but they are not sure what it is. It is all linked with Intrastat rules. Basically the Spanish company needs a number (normally GB plus a 9 or 12 digits number) that identifies me as a EU company. They also told me that once you get that number you need to be register as an intracomunitary operator.
All I can think of is that this would be the VAT number in the UK with the GB at the start. But I see to charge VAT you need to exceed 70,000GBP per year, a figure that I do not reach. I wouldn´t like to register for VAT and then find out that is not the actual number.
Does anyone know how can I get round this situation, please? Will I need to register for VAT in the UK then or can I be included in the intracomunitary operators system without this number?
Many thanks for your help.
Kind regards
Julio
All I can think of is that this would be the VAT number in the UK with the GB at the start. But I see to charge VAT you need to exceed 70,000GBP per year, a figure that I do not reach. I wouldn´t like to register for VAT and then find out that is not the actual number.
Does anyone know how can I get round this situation, please? Will I need to register for VAT in the UK then or can I be included in the intracomunitary operators system without this number?
Many thanks for your help.
Kind regards
Julio
- Contact in PM
Opus
Messages count : 87Likes count : 3Registration : 4 February 2008I'm no expert on this sort of thing, but I remember a similar subject coming up before on this forum. Does this article go some way to help?
Freelancers' Questions: Do I need a VAT number for EU clients? :: Freelance UK
You can voluntarily register for VAT below the compulsory threshold, which may or may not be beneficial.
HM Revenue & Customs: When to register for UK VATOpus Creative Design Ltd - Contact in PM
Alisonp
Messages count : 27Likes count : 0Registration : 17 November 2009Hi Julio, it's good to see another translator on here :). Are you a member of the ITI at all? I ask, because I have a feeling I've seen this subject coming up on one of the networks I'm a member of, and I didn't pay attention because Spanish isn't one of my languages. But you definitely shouldn't give them your UTR - that's your business only, nobody else's (apart from HMRC's).
Do feel free to contact me privately if it'll help.
AlisonFreelance technical translator, French and German into English - Contact in PM
spacerabbit
Messages count : 1Likes count : 0Registration : 13 November 2010Hello everybody,
I'm exactly in the same situation of Julio, except that i'm working for Italian clients.
My ex-accountant in Italy told me that I need a code (GB plus a 9 or 12 digits number), exactly the same they asked to Julio. I have no idea what this identificative code is and I tried to take information in HMRC site, without success. Nobody in UK seems to know about this number...
Any idea?
Thanks very much - Contact in PM
vca
Messages count : 3Likes count : 0Registration : 25 August 2014I have a similar problem. I send invoices from UK to Spain, and they say they want to know the VAT amount (but I make less, so I don't want to register) or give the my intracomunitary number, but it's nowhere to be found. What do I have to do?
Also, if someone could give me some help regarding the taxes, I'm new to this and I'm completely lost... - Contact in PM
Alisonp
Messages count : 27Likes count : 0Registration : 17 November 2009Hello, vca, and welcome to the joys(?) of freelancing. Someone asked this question a while back on one of my professional mailing-lists, so I've emailed her to ask whether she got any replies.
Do you happen to know the VAT threshold for Spain? I don't do any business with them, but I know that for Germany it's so low that basically everyone registers. I seem to remember (for Germany) that people have recommended putting something on your invoices to the effect that you are not registered for VAT as your turnover is below the threshold. Also, try Googling "reverse charge applies" and see where that gets you: I know other people have put that on their invoices, but I don't know whether it helps in this case.
In a number of cases, the simple answer is that the company in question has a software program which simply cannot cope without the VAT No. being filled in ...
I hope this is of some help ...Freelance technical translator, French and German into English - Contact in PM
vca
Messages count : 3Likes count : 0Registration : 25 August 2014Thanks Alisonp! Still, they keep saying that I need to tell them my intracomunitary number, they keep telling me every day! Is there a website where I can apply online? I am really desperate!! - Contact in PM
Alisonp
Messages count : 27Likes count : 0Registration : 17 November 2009Vca, I'm afraid the only way you're going to get an intracommunity no. is by registering for VAT: up to you to decide whether it's worth the hassle. A few translators I know have given in just for a quiet life.Freelance technical translator, French and German into English - Contact in PM
vca
Messages count : 3Likes count : 0Registration : 25 August 2014Oh my, I'm already not liking this... Registering for VAT is going to leave me with almost no money at all
