Tax number validation - The ability to verify VAT/GST/ABN numbers of contacts directly with the country Tax Authority
When setting up suppliers in "Contacts" within Xero, it would be great if Xero could perform a VAT check from a link to the HMRC website. There could be a button next to the VAT number box called "Check VAT" and then the supplier's VAT details (as per HMRC) would show.
Furthermore, it would be great if there could be a VAT report that you could run each quarter to check whether all VAT numbers are correct. It might involve a bit more work for the bookkeeper to ensure they set up the supplier correctly in Xero, but it would be a great risk-reduction tool.
John Sadler
shared this idea
Thanks for the suggestion to add a “Check VAT” action in Xero Contacts to verify VAT numbers directly with HMRC John. We can see how this would be a helpful addition for ongoing supplier checks ✨.We’re moving this idea to Gaining Support so others can vote and add real-world examples. The more detail you can share about when and how you’d use this (for example, one-off checks during setup vs. quarterly reviews), the better we can assess impact and prioritisation. We’ll continue to monitor interest and will update this thread if there’s progress to share.
-
Paula Wyeth
commented
I’d like to suggest a feature in Xero where AI automatically checks the validity of ABNs on bills and expenses.
When importing bills into Xero: AI could scan the document, detect the ABN, and validate it automatically. If the ABN is invalid or not current, the system would flag it. I believe XBert offers this option.
When coding bank feed transactions, creating spend money, or entering bills: A dedicated ABN field or pop-up box could appear, with a one-click button to check the ABN directly within the screen (instead of leaving Xero to check manually).
Automation benefit: By removing the need to manually verify ABNs each time, this feature would save time, reduce errors, and improve compliance.