Invoice Compliance Checker
Does your invoice meet the legal requirements for your country? Select your jurisdiction below, check off each required field, and get an instant compliance score.
Required fields for United Kingdom
Check each field that your invoice includes.
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Tick each field your invoice includes to see your compliance score.
Why invoice compliance matters
An invoice is not just a payment request — it is a legal document. Tax authorities in most countries define exactly what must appear on a valid invoice. If your invoice does not meet those rules, your buyer may not be able to reclaim VAT or GST, your own tax filings could be questioned, and in some jurisdictions you face direct penalties.
Tip: The fastest way to create a compliant invoice is to use a tool that already includes the right fields. Our free invoice generator supports 150+ currencies, multiple tax formats, and all the fields required by major jurisdictions — no signup needed.
Country-by-country requirements at a glance
| Country | Tax ID | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| UK | VAT number | Sequential numbering, VAT rate per line |
| EU | Seller + Buyer VAT ID | Reverse charge for cross-border B2B |
| Australia | ABN | Must say “Tax Invoice” if GST applies |
| India | GSTIN (both) | HSN/SAC codes, CGST/SGST/IGST split |
| UAE | TRN (both) | Amount must be in AED, 5% VAT |
| US | None federal | No mandated format; best practice only |
| Canada | BN / GST/HST number | GST/HST/PST shown separately |
| New Zealand | IRD GST number | Must say “Tax Invoice”; 15% GST |
| South Africa | VAT number | Buyer VAT needed over ZAR 5,000 |
| Singapore | GST reg number | 9% GST shown separately |
| Ireland | Irish VAT number | Multiple VAT rates (23/13.5/9/0%) |
Common compliance mistakes
- Missing tax registration number — the single most common reason invoices are rejected for VAT/GST input credit.
- No sequential invoice number — many jurisdictions require unique, gap-free numbering for audit trails.
- Tax not shown separately — bundling tax into the total without breaking it out makes the invoice invalid in the UK, EU, Australia, India, and UAE.
- Wrong currency (UAE) — UAE tax invoices must show the amount in AED, even if you trade in another currency.
- Missing reverse charge statement (EU) — omitting this on B2B cross-border invoices can result in double taxation.
Next steps
Once you know what your invoice needs, create a compliant invoice for free. Our generator includes all the fields above, supports 150+ currencies, and produces professional PDF invoices in seconds — no signup, no watermark, no limits. For more guidance, read how to write a professional invoice and how to invoice international clients.
Frequently asked questions
Requirements vary by country. Generally, a valid invoice must include the seller's name and address, buyer details, a unique invoice number, the date, an itemized list of goods or services, amounts, and any applicable tax information such as a VAT or GST number.
In the UK and EU, you must include your VAT registration number if you are VAT-registered. In Australia, you need an ABN. In India, both seller and buyer GSTINs are required. In the UAE, both parties' TRNs must appear. In the US and Canada, there is no federal tax registration number requirement on invoices.
Non-compliant invoices can result in rejected tax deductions for your buyer, failed audits, penalties from tax authorities, delayed payments, and in some jurisdictions (like India and the UAE) specific fines for missing mandatory fields.
The US has no federal mandate for invoice format. However, best practice includes your business name, address, invoice number, date, itemized descriptions, and clear payment terms. State sales tax rules may apply depending on your location and what you sell.
When an EU business sells services to a business in another EU country, the buyer (not the seller) accounts for the VAT. The invoice must state 'Reverse charge: VAT to be accounted for by the recipient' and include both parties' VAT IDs.
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