A Value-Added Tax (VAT) number is a unique identifier assigned to businesses that are required to collect and pay VAT on their sales. VAT is a consumption tax levied on the value added to goods and services at each stage of production and distribution. The VAT number is used to identify the business and ensure that they are meeting their VAT obligations.
There are several ways to check the validity of a VAT number. One way is to use the European Commission’s VAT Information Exchange System (VIES). VIES is a database of VAT numbers that allows businesses to verify the validity of VAT numbers across the European Union. Another way to check the validity of a VAT number is to contact the tax authorities in the country where the business is located.