A VAT invoice is not a design problem, it is a list of required fields. Your customer's ability to reclaim depends on holding one, so the template matters more than it looks: an invoice missing the registration number or the rate is not a formatting issue for them, it is a lost reclaim. There are three documents worth knowing apart, and they are used in different situations.
The full VAT invoice
It carries a unique sequential invoice number, your business name and address, your VAT registration number, the date, the tax point or time of supply if different, the customer's name and address, a description of what was supplied, and for each line the quantity, the unit price excluding VAT, the rate and the amount payable excluding VAT. Then the total excluding VAT, the rate and amount of any cash discount, the total VAT charged, and the gross. Anything zero-rated or exempt is shown with no VAT and its own total.
The simplified VAT invoice
For smaller retail supplies a shorter document is allowed: the supplier's name, address and VAT registration number, the time of supply, a description of the goods or services, and for each rate the total payable including VAT and the rate that applies. There is no need for a customer name or a separate VAT total. This is why a till receipt from a shop is usually a valid VAT invoice, and why a card slip with no VAT number on it is not.
The VAT-only invoice
Sometimes the VAT alone needs invoicing: a business that registered late or was waiting for its number invoiced gross, and now needs to give the customer a document showing the VAT so they can reclaim it. A VAT-only invoice does that, showing the same details as a full invoice but with the net already billed and only the tax now falling due. Getting the reference to the original invoice on it is what keeps both sides' records straight, because the customer must not end up reclaiming twice.
Questions people ask about vat invoice template
What has to be on a VAT invoice?
A unique number, your name, address and VAT registration number, the date and tax point, the customer's details, a description, and per line the quantity, unit price excluding VAT, rate and amount, plus the totals excluding VAT, the VAT charged and the gross.
Is a till receipt a VAT invoice?
It can be. For smaller retail supplies a simplified VAT invoice is allowed, showing the supplier's details and VAT number, the time of supply, a description, and the gross with the rate. Without the VAT number it is not one.
When would I issue a VAT-only invoice?
When the net was already invoiced without VAT, typically because you were waiting for your registration number, and the customer now needs a document showing the VAT to reclaim it.