VAT registration name query
Just received an email from Amazon saying there is a difference between the name registered with VAT (ie my full first name + surname) and the name given on my Amazon seller profile (first name INITIAL + surname) - after god knows how many years!! Now they have forthwith removed my VAT registration number from my account until I provide them with a matching VAT registration document:
Please provide your UK VAT number, your Amazon legal seller name, an explanation of the reason for any difference with the Legal name stated in VIES, a copy of your VAT registration certificate from HMRC or VAT group certificate (if applicable), and a copy of any relevant company incorporation documents that can evidence ownership.
Well what madness. It’s quite obvious I would have thought that my initial, ‘C’ and first name ‘Christopher’ are one and the same, especially as Christopher appears in many other places on my seller account. Anyone else had this?
10 replies
Seller_8gIfOP26JZl9E
same here, ridiculous. are you going to appeal it, could you let me know how you get on
Seller_sEdlAwK6HCORC
I just got same ,are they crazy ? A and Andrew .was not sure if it was genuine Amazon email.
Seller_hC0hNVDuILaKO
Amazon are being forced by HMRC to be more stringent in their checks, you are just lucky you “got away with” this mismatch for so long.
New accounts and all those who change any details have to ensure everything matches up not just to the letter but to the spaces and commas too.
It is an attempt to crack down on VAT fraudsters and is a move that should be applauded.
They are obviously checking all accounts.
Seller_8gIfOP26JZl9E
can anyone confirm this is definetely legit email, can anyone let me know what they write back with. thanks
Seller_8gIfOP26JZl9E
Hiya, i did the same, but didnt receive any email back, did you get a confirmation email that they had received it, how quickly did they respond back? I sent it on wednesday night, but nothing back
Seller_SHpe5c4eREBFN
It’s a no brainer really. It’s important that you always use your correct legal name in all documents. Your VAT registration should match with your HMRC registration and your Ltd company name (If you have one) or with your sole trader or partnership status if not. You can use alternative T/A (‘Trading as’) names as long as you always identify yourself additionally with your correct legal entity. Otherwise no-one knows who they are dealing with and that is exactly how scammers operate, although I’m not suggesting for one minute that term applies to you!.
And on Amazon, you definitely don’t want to give them any excuse to suspend you.
