Docs & FAQ
Getting started and common questions.
VAT Sentinel works the moment it is active. No setup wizard is required.
Getting started
- Install and activate the plugin. On activation it adds a VAT number field to your checkout for EU and EEA business buyers, and prepares its records.
- Optional, recommended: open WooCommerce → VAT Sentinel and enter your own business VAT number. This lets VIES return an official consultation reference for your records.
- That is it. Buyers can now enter a VAT number at checkout. Valid cross-border B2B numbers are zero-rated; invalid ones keep VAT; if VIES is down, the order is accepted and flagged for re-checking.
Migrating from another VAT plugin
VAT Sentinel does not need to import data to start working: it validates at checkout going forward. If you are coming from a plugin that is no longer maintained, deactivate it, activate VAT Sentinel, and confirm the VAT field appears on your checkout. Your historic orders are untouched. For re-validating existing customers in bulk, see the Pro bulk re-validation feature.
Frequently asked questions
What does VAT Sentinel actually do?
It adds a VAT number field to your WooCommerce checkout, validates the number against the EU’s official VIES service, applies reverse charge (zero-rates VAT) for valid cross-border EU B2B orders, and records every check with a timestamp. It works on both the block and classic checkout.
Does this make me VAT compliant?
No. It validates numbers and keeps proof that you checked. It is not tax advice and does not guarantee compliance. Please consult your own tax advisor.
What happens when VIES is down?
Your sale still goes through. The order is accepted, flagged “VAT pending verification”, and you re-check it (manually in Free, automatically in Pro) once VIES recovers. Until then the VAT treatment is provisional.
Will my customer ever be overcharged?
A valid cross-border B2B number zero-rates VAT on the placed order, and on the block checkout the live summary updates before the order is placed, so the buyer sees the correct total.
Does it work on the new block checkout?
Yes, block and classic, through one field, using WooCommerce’s Additional Checkout Fields and Store API. It requires WooCommerce 8.9 or newer.
What is the “consultation reference”?
When you configure your own business VAT number, VIES returns a reference proving a validation was performed at a given date and time. Pro stores and exports it. It is evidence that you checked, not proof of correct tax treatment.
Do you see my customers’ VAT numbers?
No. Data is stored in your own WordPress database. The free version sends no usage statistics or telemetry. See the privacy page.
What about UK / Northern Ireland?
The core targets EU and EEA VIES validation. UK and Northern Ireland handling is a Pro feature, separate from the EU VIES service.
Is HPOS supported?
Yes. Compatibility with WooCommerce High-Performance Order Storage is declared and tested.
How long are records kept?
VAT evidence is commonly retained for several years depending on your country. The log is kept as tax evidence and is not deleted automatically when you uninstall. Set your own retention policy and document it in your store’s privacy notice.
VAT Sentinel is a validation and record-keeping tool. It is not tax advice and does not guarantee tax compliance. Always confirm the correct VAT treatment with your own advisor.