Value Added Tax Act 1994

Production of VAT invoices by computer

3 (1) For the purposes of any provision contained in or having effect under this Act which relates to VAT invoices a person shall be treated as issuing, or as providing another person with, a VAT invoice if the requisite particulars are recorded in a computer and transmitted by electronic means and without the delivery of any document.

(2) No provision relating to VAT invoices shall be treated as complied with by the production by means of a computer of any material other than a document in writing, by delivering any such material so produced or by making any such transmission as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above unless the person producing or delivering the material or making the transmission and, in the case of delivered material or a transmission, the person receiving it—

(a) has given the Commissioners at least one month’s notice in writing that he proposes to produce or deliver such material or make such transmissions or, as the case may be, receive such material or transmissions; and

(b) complies with such requirements as may be specified in regulations or as the Commissioners may from time to time impose in his case.

(3) Without prejudice to the generality of the powers conferred by virtue of sub-paragraph (9) of paragraph 2 above, regulations made by virtue of that sub-paragraph may provide for the preceding provisions of this paragraph to apply, subject to such exceptions and adaptations as may be prescribed, in relation to any invoice which is described in regulations made for the purposes of section 6(8)(b) or 12(1)(b), as they apply in relation to VAT invoices.