arvonlisäveronumeron

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 crucial for businesses operating within the European Union, as it facilitates trade and ensures proper tax collection.

The Finnish Tax Administration (Verohallinto) issues the arvonlisäveronumero. Businesses are required to register for VAT and obtain this number if their taxable turnover exceeds a certain threshold within a fiscal year. The number is typically composed of the country code "FI" followed by the business's Finnish Business ID (Y-tunnus).

The arvonlisäveronumero must be displayed on invoices, receipts, and other official business documents. It is used to identify businesses for VAT purposes, both domestically and internationally. When a Finnish business trades with another EU country, the arvonlisäveronumero is used to verify the VAT status of the trading partners and to ensure that VAT is correctly applied according to the rules of the respective countries.

Businesses can verify the validity of an arvonlisäveronumero through the VIES (VAT Information Exchange System) database, which is maintained by the European Commission. This system helps to prevent tax fraud and ensures that transactions are conducted compliantly. The arvonlisäveronumero is a fundamental element of the VAT system in Finland and across the EU.