Arvonlisäveronumero

Arvonlisäveronumero, often abbreviated as ALV-numero or VAT number in English, is a unique identifier assigned to businesses that are registered for value-added tax (VAT) in Finland. This number is essential for businesses engaged in economic activities that are subject to VAT. It serves as a way for tax authorities to track and manage VAT liabilities and reimbursements.

Businesses in Finland must obtain an arvonlisäveronumero if their turnover exceeds a certain threshold within a 12-month period, or if they engage in certain types of trade with other EU countries. The number is issued by the Finnish Tax Administration (Verohallinto).

The arvonlisäveronumero consists of the country code "FI" followed by nine digits. It is crucial for businesses to display their arvonlisäveronumero on invoices, receipts, and other official documents. This allows customers and other businesses to verify the VAT status of the entity they are transacting with. Furthermore, it is required when a business needs to reclaim input VAT paid on its purchases or when reporting VAT obligations to the authorities. International transactions within the European Union also heavily rely on the arvonlisäveronumero for correct VAT treatment.