VATREG16850 | Special considerations for certain registrations: direct sellers: registration
From HM Revenue & Customs · VAT Registration
The person to be registered is as follows:
if the taxable turnover of the company is over the registration limit, the company is, in all cases, liable to be registered.
if the salespersons are acting as principals, they are liable to be registered if their taxable turnover exceeds the registration threshold.
if the salespersons are acting as agents, they are liable to be registered if their commission exceeds the registration threshold.
if the salespersons are employees of the company, they are not liable to be registered.