[HELP] Amazon refuses UK VAT establishment despite HMRC rules & all proof provided
Hello everyone,
I urgently need support with a VAT issue unresolved for over a year.
Amazon keeps rejecting our claim that the business is established in the UK for VAT purposes, despite fully meeting the criteria cited by HMRC and Amazon themselves (central management and operations in the UK, real physical office, matching Companies House address). Documents repeatedly submitted, per Amazon’s own checklist:
- Director’s bank statement with UK address (within last 180 days)
- Director’s UK passport (UK resident)
- Certificate of Incorporation and Companies House documents
- Lease agreement for office in London matching registered addressInvoice and proof of rent payment
- Invoice for accounting software subscription used in the UK office
- Letter explaining UK-based management, operations, and staff
According to the guidance cited by Amazon (and HMRC), we meet the requirements to be considered a UK business establishment. The director lives in the UK and all essential management and operations are carried out from the office not virtual.
Amazon also accepts we are VAT exempt under the £90,000 threshold but still does NOT refund the VAT paid on imports nor the VAT charged on sales invoices.
This causes issues with HMRC since we cannot register or reclaim VAT while it’s being withheld by Amazon. I’ve called and emailed seller support many times but only receive generic, repeated denials.
Has anyone successfully resolved a similar case?
How can I escalate this to get a proper review by Amazon?
Any advice or contacts would be much appreciated. @Julia_Amazon @Ezra_Amazon @Sakura_Amazon_ @Sarah_Amzn @Simon_Amazon @Spencer_Amazon @Winston_Amazon @Maja_Amazon @Ash_Amazon @Abella_Amazon @Angie_Amazon @JiAlex_Amazon
Thank you!
[HELP] Amazon refuses UK VAT establishment despite HMRC rules & all proof provided
Hello everyone,
I urgently need support with a VAT issue unresolved for over a year.
Amazon keeps rejecting our claim that the business is established in the UK for VAT purposes, despite fully meeting the criteria cited by HMRC and Amazon themselves (central management and operations in the UK, real physical office, matching Companies House address). Documents repeatedly submitted, per Amazon’s own checklist:
- Director’s bank statement with UK address (within last 180 days)
- Director’s UK passport (UK resident)
- Certificate of Incorporation and Companies House documents
- Lease agreement for office in London matching registered addressInvoice and proof of rent payment
- Invoice for accounting software subscription used in the UK office
- Letter explaining UK-based management, operations, and staff
According to the guidance cited by Amazon (and HMRC), we meet the requirements to be considered a UK business establishment. The director lives in the UK and all essential management and operations are carried out from the office not virtual.
Amazon also accepts we are VAT exempt under the £90,000 threshold but still does NOT refund the VAT paid on imports nor the VAT charged on sales invoices.
This causes issues with HMRC since we cannot register or reclaim VAT while it’s being withheld by Amazon. I’ve called and emailed seller support many times but only receive generic, repeated denials.
Has anyone successfully resolved a similar case?
How can I escalate this to get a proper review by Amazon?
Any advice or contacts would be much appreciated. @Julia_Amazon @Ezra_Amazon @Sakura_Amazon_ @Sarah_Amzn @Simon_Amazon @Spencer_Amazon @Winston_Amazon @Maja_Amazon @Ash_Amazon @Abella_Amazon @Angie_Amazon @JiAlex_Amazon
Thank you!
2 replies
Seller_76AUwmqvSyRIM
As you are using shared office space for you business address, it is likely that Amazon see this as a way of avoiding tax by pretending local establishment. Also you mention "director" while there are 2 registered for your company.
I can't advise but you need to somehow convince them all is kosher, if that is the case.
Seller_QuM1AZgzfU9x4
Unfortunately there is a recent trend where the owner of a UK LTD company who lives abroad effectively adds a "fake" director who is based in the UK. This is largely done to avoid VAT responsibilities.
They are relatively easy to spot as the new director typically is registered to many companies and the person with significant control of those companies lives abroad. As is the case here.
The first 5 items on your list do not prove UK establishment. The address given is a virtual one available for £4 per month - as are the other addresses being used for the director's other companies.
