VAT registration ― changing business details

By Tolley

The following Value Added Tax guidance note by Tolley provides comprehensive and up to date tax information covering:

VAT registration ― changing business details
Changes to name and / or address
Illness or death
Partnership changes
Changes in legal status
Change in business activities
Bank details
VAT group changes
Selling or closing a business
HMRC online VAT service

This guidance note provides an overview of the steps businesses need to take if aspects of their business change, and as a result, they need to notify HMRC about the change.

Changes to name and / or address

If a business changes its name and / or its address then it is required to notify HMRC of the change within 30 days. If the business fails to notify HMRC of this change within 30 days then it could be liable to a financial penalty. Please see the Overview of the three penalties introduced from 1 April 2010 guidance note for more information on the new penalty regime.

HMRC will need to be notified of the following changes:

•business’ name
•trading name
•trading address
•partner’s name and / or home address
•agent acting for the business
•any changes to the UK address for an overseas company

Businesses should either use the online service (see below), write to HMRC, or complete and submit a Form VAT 484. A business cannot call or email HMRC to advise them of changes to the business details.

Illness or death

If a business or individual has been appointed to represent a VAT registered person and they have either died or become incapacitated in some way, the representative will continue to use the existing VAT registration number whilst they deal with that person’s affairs. The VAT number will remain in place until: