Ltd company but not VAT registered - it won't let me complete upgrade

[FestivalKidz]

I am the owner of a private limited company but I am not VAT registered as my turnover is too small.  However PayPal is insisting on a VAT registration number in order for me to complete my verification process and upgrade to a business account - even though it says this information is optional!!

I noticed someone else on here has the exact same problem but no replies so far.

Please help - thanks!

[PayPal_david]

Hi there FestivalKidz,

Due to regulatory requirements, if a customer selects on their PayPal account that they are a private limited company, we are required to request that you provide your VAT number to us.

If you don't have a VAT number yet, my best advice for you would be to select Individual as your business type until you can provide a VAT number for your company through your account.

I hope this helps,

David.

[volksdevil]

Hi,

I'm having a similar problem.

I am setting up as a sole trader/proprieter, but when I choose this in my account, the site is asking for a VAT number even though it says optional. I do not have a VAT number as I'm not VAT registered.

What should I do? Select Individual?

I'm not sure that's really right as I'm not strictly an individual, I am a sole trader/prop.

[FestivalKidz]

Hi Volksdevil,

I rang up PayPal in the end and they told me to enter a specific number, unfortunately it was over a year ago and I can't remember what it is!  It had lots of zero's... they are aware of the glitch.

So I now have a business account without being VAT registered and it's all kosher.

Hope this helps?

[volksdevil]

Aye, thanks for that

I did find another post that states a member was told to simply enter all zero's, is this what you did? Could you possibly check your paypal account settings at all? It would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

[FestivalKidz]

Yes, that sounds familiar.  I did have a look at my settings but I couldn't find it for some reason?!  Had a look at my business details in my profile and everything.  Maybe it disappears if it is not a proper VAT number?

Anyway, it was all very quick on the phone if you want to call them to double check?

I seem to remember that the first few numbers had to be zeros and then they said you could enter 'anything you like' in the last few (even zeros) - so perhaps if you put all zeros it won't look like a proper one and gives you a bit of proof that you weren't trying to dodge the system?...

[volksdevil]

Just called them and explained that here on the help forum there are some who advise choosing individual and a some being told to use all zero's etc. She advised to choose individual and explained that it's basically the same as 'sole trader'

I'm not quite sure myself, unless the difference between them both is simply being or not being vat registered.

All updated anyway.

Thanks again for the help.