How Can I Check If a VAT Number Is Real?

A VAT number is a "Value Added Tax" number used by the European Union to raise revenue from goods and services. This tax applies to trade among Member States. The European Union has an Internet database through which the validity of VAT numbers can be checked and confirmed. To check the validity of a VAT number, all the information you need to know is the VAT number that you wish to confirm and the Member State, which can be selected from a drop-down menu.

• 1

  Acquire the VAT number and Member State (country) of the trading partner you are doing business with. Every Member State of the European Union has a VAT number for all of its companies and businesses in that State.

• 2

  Direct yourself to the "Vies VAT Number Validation" online database website. (See Resources.)

• 3

  Select the Member State in the drop-down menu, and enter the VAT number of the trading partner. Double-check the information you entered. If it is incorrect, you will receive an error and not obtain accurate results from your VAT number search.

• 4

  Click the "Verify" button.

• 5

  View your results. It will tell you whether or not the VAT number is valid. If it is a valid number, it will provide the contact information for your trading partner.