“I can find the Chamber of Commerce number on the purchase invoice, but Dexxter does not accept it as a VAT number. Why?”
This question comes up regularly in the Dexxter community. The short answer: a Chamber of Commerce number is not the same as a VAT number.
In this article, we clearly explain the difference between a company number and a VAT number. We look at the situation in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, so you know immediately which number you need when entering a document in Dexxter.
Belgium: one number, two functions 🪪
In Belgium, the distinction is simple. Your VAT number and your company number are the same, except that the VAT number is preceded by “BE”.
Company number
When you register with the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises, you will receive a unique company number. This is the official identification number of your company.
VAT number
If you are subject to VAT, that same company number is activated as a VAT number. The number is preceded by the country code BE, for example BE0123.456.789.
You use this VAT number for:
- invoicing
- VAT declarations
- intra-Community transactions
- VAT refunds
Summary for Belgium
You receive one number. If you are subject to VAT, that same number also becomes your VAT number, with BE in front of it.
The Netherlands: Chamber of Commerce number and VAT number 🧐
In the Netherlands, the Chamber of Commerce number and the VAT number are two separate numbers. So, unlike in Belgium, you cannot add “NL” to the Chamber of Commerce number to obtain the VAT number.
Chamber of Commerce number (KvK number)
When you register with the Chamber of Commerce Trade Register, you will receive a Chamber of Commerce number. This number identifies your company for administrative purposes. It is often stated on invoices and official documents.
VAT number
You will receive your VAT number from the tax authorities when you become subject to VAT. This number is used exclusively for VAT purposes:
- charging VAT
- submitting VAT declarations
- doing business with other businesses subject to VAT
The Chamber of Commerce number and the VAT number are therefore not interchangeable.
Summary for the Netherlands
The Chamber of Commerce number (KvK number) is used for your registration. For everything related to VAT, you need a separate VAT number.
For Dexxter users, it is crucial to know that our software specifically requires the VAT number to function correctly.
France: SIREN, SIRET, and VAT number 🫨
France has a somewhat more complex system with the SIREN number, SIRET number, and a separate VAT number. France therefore uses three numbers.
SIREN number
This is the main identification number for your company.
The SIREN number identifies your company as a whole, regardless of the number of branches. It is comparable to the Belgian company number and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce number.
SIRET number
This number identifies a specific branch. It consists of the SIREN number supplemented with five additional digits. The SIRET number is used for local administration and communication with local authorities.
VAT number
For VAT purposes, you will receive a separate number from the tax authorities. It is mandatory for all companies subject to VAT and is used for collecting and paying VAT, submitting VAT declarations and intra-Community transactions. It starts with FR, followed by two digits and then the SIREN number.
Summary for France
SIREN identifies your company, SIRET identifies your establishment, and the VAT number is used for tax obligations.
Which number do I need in Dexxter? 🤔
Dexxter always requires the official VAT number to process your purchase and sales documents correctly.
Other numbers, such as the Belgian company number without BE, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce number, or the French SIREN or SIRET number, are not sufficient for VAT processing.
So if you only see a Chamber of Commerce number on a Dutch invoice, that is not the VAT number. You will need to look up or request the supplier’s correct VAT number.
Not sure if the number is correct? Always check if it starts with the right country code, like BE, NL, or FR. That’s usually the quickest way to see if you’re dealing with a VAT number.
➡️ In short: always enter the VAT number when sending invoices in Dexxter.
