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Monaco is one of many countries with Insurance Premium Tax (IPT) requirements, specifically the Special Annual Tax and Fire Brigade Tax. This blog provides an overview of IPT in Monaco to help insurance companies remain compliant.

 

What kind of taxes are applicable in Monaco on insurance premium amounts?

In Monaco, there are two types of taxes that apply to premium amounts received by insurance companies. These taxes apply to domestic as well as foreign insurance companies who write business in Monaco, whether or not they have a branch office there.

It is necessary to highlight that Monaco is not a member of the EU/EEA. As a result, the Location of Risk provisions outlined in Directive 2009/138/EC, often referenced as the Solvency II Directive, do not apply. Therefore, determining whether a premium amount triggers Monegasque insurance premium tax or not requires understanding the local territorial rules.

The Monegasque insurance premium taxes are:

 

What are the tax rates in Monaco?

SAT rates vary based on the risks covered. The lowest rate is 0.20% for policies covering export credit risks, while the highest rate is 25% for policies covering property risks with a fire element. Most taxable insurance is subject to a 7% rate.

There are various exemptions from SAT, such as life insurance and related contracts, reinsurance, and risks located outside of Monaco.

There is a fixed rate of 9% for Fire Brigade Tax.

 

What is the basis of SAT and FBT calculation in Monaco?

The taxable premium is the taxable basis for both SAT and FBT. It is defined as the sum stipulated for the benefit of the insurer, including any extra fees or charges paid directly or indirectly by the insurer. The taxable basis for FBT can be different from SAT.

 

What are the SAT and FBT filing and payment frequencies in Monaco?

SAT and FBT are filed quarterly on one return. The payment must be made alongside the filing. The settlement deadline is the tenth day of the third month after the reporting period ends.

In addition to the quarterly return obligation, insurance businesses must file an annual return by 31 May of the year after the reporting year.

 

What are the penalties and interest for SAT and FBT in Monaco?

Penalties are imposed for payment delays, as well as inaccuracy, omission, inadequacy, or any other violations that may cause damage to the Monegasque treasury.

The late payment interest rate is 6%, and is charged on the entire month, regardless of when in the month the late payment becomes due. For every other error, the default penalty is EUR 150 or EUR 1,500. The latter applies if the violated legal provision is punishable.

 

What are the challenges for Insurance Premium Tax in Monaco?

The fiscal representation regulations are the most difficult aspect of Monegasque insurance premium taxation. A foreign insurance business must have a representative authorised by the Minister of State to declare taxes in Monaco.

This representative should be a private individual and is fully liable for the payment of any Monegasque duties and fines. In addition, a certain amount of guarantee is payable if the representative is not based in Monaco.

 

Want to learn more about Insurance Premium Tax?

 

Want help with IPT in Monaco?

Speak to our IPT experts

Poland SAF-T framework

Poland is one of many countries to use the Standard Audit File for Tax (SAF-T) to streamline tax compliance and reporting for businesses. The country was one of the first in Europe to replace the traditional VAT return with SAF-T.

Poland introduced its version of SAF-T, known as Jednolity Plik Kontrolny (JPK), in 2016, making monthly submissions of JPK_VAT compulsory for all taxpayers in 2018.

In 2020, JPK_VAT combined with the VAT return and is submitted with a declaration per the frequency of the VAT Return (monthly or quarterly).

Submission of the remaining seven JPK structures is upon request of the tax authority in the event of an audit.

Please note: JPK_VAT with the declaration is in the process of changing as a result of the introduction of mandatory e-invoicing via KSeF in Poland.

The legal framework of SAF-T in Poland

The Poland SAF-T framework consists of eight JPK structures:

JPK_V7M/K

declaration for records of VAT purchases and sales combined

JPK_FA

for VAT and VAT invoices

JPK_WB

for bank statements

JPK_PKPIR

for revenue and expense ledger

JPK_EWP

for revenue account

JPK_KR

for accounting books

JPK_MAG

for warehouses

JPK_FA_RR

for flat rate VAT invoices

Other than the monthly or quarterly periodic submission of JPK_V7M/K, submission of all other JPK structures is on demand.

However, from 1 January 2025, reporting of JPK EWP, JPW PKPIR, and JPK_KR will become a periodic reporting obligation.

Timeline SAF-T in Poland

  • 1 July 2016: SAF-T introduced in Poland in the form of JPK files
  • 1 January 2018: Poland mandated JPK_VAT for all taxable persons
  • 1 July 2018: Taxpayers must be able to produce accounting documents in JPK structures
  • 1 October 2020:  JPK_VAT with declaration consolidates the VAT Return and JPK_V7M/K
  • 1 July 2021: Amendments to the mandatory JPK_V7M/K adopted
  • 1 January 2022: Amendments to the JPK_V7M/K structure including changes to better align it with the EU VAT e-Commerce package
  • 1 January 2025: Reporting of JPK EWP, JPW PKPIR, and JPK_KR becomes a periodic obligation

Understanding JPK VAT and SAF-T in Poland

One of the eight JPK structures in Poland is JPK_VAT, a declaration combining VAT purchase and sales records. As of 2020, JPK_VAT must be sent alongside VAT returns to the tax authority.

JPK_VAT with the declaration has two variants, depending on the submission frequency of the VAT return:

  • JPK_V7M for taxpayers settling VAT monthly.
  • JPK_V7K for taxpayers who settle VAT quarterly.

Submission of JPK_V7M and JPK_V7K is on the 25th of the month following the reporting period.

The other SAF-T JPK structures for VAT are JPK_FA for VAT invoices and JPK_FA_RR for flat-rate VAT invoices. JPK_FA and JPK_FA_RR are both submitted on demand.

Implementing SAF-T as a business

SAF-T requires additional data to analyse and authenticate the accuracy of documentation. All data submitted in the SAF-T consolidated submission must be accurate and complete to ensure compliance.

Data for SAF-T requirements is often extracted from multiple sources for a single report and combining this data can be difficult.

The data required for SAF-T differs significantly from other reporting obligations that businesses might be familiar with. The XML format required for reports makes it difficult to review, compare or test reports ahead of submissions.

Other requirements for VAT compliance in Poland

As well as Poland’s SAF-T requirements, taxpayers need to also be aware of the KSeF e-invoicing mandate. Poland’s continuous transaction control (CTC) e-invoicing system is mandatory as of 1 July 2024, expanding to VAT-exempt taxpayers in 2025. Read this overview for a general introduction to Poland VAT compliance.

FAQ

JPK_VAT with a declaration is an electronic document that includes both VAT records, combining information on purchases and sales and VAT returns (VAT-7M and VAT-7K).

JPK_VAT is submitted on a monthly or quarterly basis.

Yes, SAF-T is mandatory in Poland. JPK VAT with a declaration must be sent to the tax authority on a periodic basis, while other types of JPKs are sent on demand.

Failure to comply with the SAF-T requirements in Poland can lead to penal and fiscal sanctions, based on a misdemeanor or a felony. If the value of the reduction of the tax liability exceeds PLN 10,000, it is a crime.

Submission of JPK_VAT with the declaration (JPK_V7M and JPK_V7K) is on the 25th day of the month following the reporting period. Other JPKs are submitted to tax authorities within three days after receiving a request from the tax authority.

Our Solution capabilities for Poland SAF-T

Data Extraction

Painlessly aggregate and consolidate data from a wide range of source systems complying with Poland’s SAF-T requirements including JPK files.

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Data Analytics

Check the accuracy, integrity and quality of complex data structures required by Poland SAF-T to give you peace of mind before you submit your JPK files to the tax authority.

More about data analytics

File Generation

Ensure that all required data sets from accounting entries, sales and purchase transactions, asset depreciation, stock movements and more, are mapped seamlessly into Poland’s JPK schema, ready to be analyzed and submitted to the tax authority.

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Romania e-invoicing

E-invoicing in Romania is developing fast. With a current B2G and High Fiscal Risk B2B mandate already in place and a new obligation facing all companies with operations in Romania from 1 Jan. 2024, it can be hard to stay on top of your business’ requirements. Failing to comply with Romania’s e-invoicing and e-reporting mandates will result in penalties, but more importantly, it will lead to invalid tax invoices – which don’t allow for VAT deduction – and, ultimately, may also trigger protracted tax audits, so it is crucial that you are aware of your requirements.

Read on to learn about the current state of Romania e-invoicing – from continuous transaction controls (CTC) and e-Factura to B2B e-invoicing developments – and what’s to come.

At a glance: Romania e-invoicing

Romania B2G e-invoicing

CTC Type
E-invoice clearance coupled with e-reporting requirements for transactions carried out between January and July 2024 with public institutions

Network
Centralised network where the e-invoice exchange is primarily processed through the RO e-Factura platform

Format
UBL 2.1 XML format file following CIUS RO national validation rules

eSignature Requirement
Digital Seal applied by the Ministry of Finance

Romania B2B e-invoicing

CTC Type
E-invoice clearance coupled with e-reporting requirements for transactions carried out by VAT-registered entities

Network
Centralised network where e-invoice exchange is primarily processed through the RO e-Factura platform

Format
UBL 2.1 XML format file following CIUS RO national validation rules

eSignature Requirement
Digital Seal applied by the Ministry Of Finance

Archiving Requirement
10 years

E-invoicing and e-reporting regulations in Romania

Romania introduced e-invoicing on a voluntary basis in November 2021 for B2G and April 2022 for B2B transactions. Romania’s Government Emergency Order no. 120/2021 implemented the RO E-Factura platform, the country’s e-invoicing system.

From July 2022, e-invoicing became mandatory for B2G and B2B transactions of so-called ‘high fiscal risk products’ following article II of Law no. 139/2022.

Romania applied for a derogation from the EU VAT Directive, aiming to implement a broader B2G and B2B e-invoicing and e-reporting mandate. The EU Council granted derogation in July 2023, allowing Romania to implement mandatory e-invoicing from 2024. The enacting of Law no. 296/2023 provides a new B2G and B2B e-invoicing mandate coupled with e-reporting requirements.

What is RO e-Factura?

RO e-Factura was officially launched in November 2021 as a voluntary clearance program for e-invoices, devised in an effort to streamline Romania’s tax collection. Users of e-Factura issue and submit their electronic invoices in a structured XML format through the system. Invoices are then cleared (following certain schema checks) and a digital seal is applied.

The RO E-Factura platform enables the automatic exchange of electronically issued invoices between entities registered in the system.

Romania B2B e-invoicing and e-reporting

B2B e-invoicing is already in play for transactions that include products deemed a high tax risk, including:

  • Fruit and vegetables
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Mineral products
  • Construction materials
  • Clothing and footwear

Following the recently published mandate, B2B e-invoicing requirements will extend to all products. From January 2024, established and VAT-registered entities are required to report B2B domestic transaction invoices to the RO E-Factura platform within five days of issuance. From July 2024, invoices issued in transactions between established entities must be issued electronically through the RO E-Factura platform.

If, however, taxpayers fail to issue the invoice electronically through the RO E-factura platform, they are obligated to submit it to the RO e-Factura platform within five calendar days.

Romania B2G e-invoicing

From 1 July 2022, Romanian taxpayers were obliged to issue e-invoices, submitting them through the RO e-Factura system, when conducting business with the public sector. This obligation was namely within the context of certain public procurement contracts.

Romania’s e-invoicing mandate has expanded the scope of B2G invoicing in Romania which will apply to all transactions with public institutions from 2024.

Romania e-Transport system

Romania’s e-Transport system, often referred to as RO e-Transport, is used to monitor products when they are being transported. Coupled with the implementation of the CTC mandate, this is another reform that the nation has devised as part of its plan to combat tax fraud and evasion.

The application procedure of the RO e-Transport system has been approved by the joint Order of the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) and the Romanian Customs Authority (AVR) no. 1190/4625/2022, with penalties applicable from October 2022.

The RO e-Transport system requires taxpayers to declare the movement of goods from one location to another, in advance of said movement. Once declared, it issues a number on the transport documents which is to be verified by authorities en route.

Read more about the e-transport system.

Timeline: e-invoicing & e-reporting adoption in Romania

The implementation of e-invoicing in Romania has been done in stages. This is a brief timeline of its adoption:

  • March 2020: E-invoicing system e-Factura is launched as a pilot program
  • October 2020: Government Emergency Ordinance (GEO) no. 120/2021 introduced the legal framework for the implementation of e-Factura
  • November 2021: Start of the voluntary phase for issuance of e-invoices for B2G transactions
  • April 2022: Invoices for B2B transactions of high fiscal risk transactions can be voluntarily submitted in e-Factura
  • July 2022: It is now mandatory to issue invoices for B2B transactions of high fiscal risk products through the RO e-Factura platform
  • January 2024: For B2B transactions, established taxable persons and VAT registered entities must report invoices in the e-Factura system within five days of issuance
  • April 2024: End of three-month grace period for e-invoicing mandate. Penalties will apply to non-compliant taxpayers
  • July 2024: The system will shift to an invoice clearance system for B2B transactions between established taxpayers
  • 1 July, 2030: Romanian VAT-registered businesses must comply with VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) requirements, which include mandatory e-invoicing and digital reporting for Intra-Community B2B transactions.

Benefits of e-invoicing

From a business perspective, e-invoicing offers several benefits when compared to traditional invoicing. Benefits may include:

  • Saving costs by reducing paper, postage and manual labour
  • Saving time by using structured, automated electronic systems and processes
  • Increased compatibility and interoperability across businesses with initiatives like PEPPOL
  • Enhanced security can be achieved with the validation and authentication of systems like e-Factura

How to choose the right e-invoicing software in Romania

Considering the ever-evolving nature of regulations and mandates surrounding newer technologies and platforms like RO e-Factura, it is important that your business identifies and utilises the right software. The cost of using e-invoicing software that does not update with changes to regulations is not desirable for any organisation.

Setting up e-invoicing and e-reporting in Romania with Sovos

Get in touch with a Sovos expert to explore setting up e-invoicing and e-reporting in Romania.

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Future of e-invoicing in Romania

The future of e-invoicing in Romania has already arrived. Following the EU Council’s derogatory decision to allow Romania to implement mandatory e-invoicing, Romania published a more comprehensive B2B mandate with a 2024 roll-out date. The new law requires businesses to issue structured electronic invoices for transactions to both business and public sector entities, and it applies to established and VAT-registered entities.

The looming implementation of VAT in the Digital Age in the EU may deliver more changes in Romania, however. Aiming to digitise the European VAT system, this proposal is generating a lot of uncertainty for businesses that conduct operations in the EU as it includes requirements for digital reporting and e-invoicing – as well as changes to VAT registration

While the future of tax in the European Union may be uncertain, you can rely on Sovos to help you navigate the digital landscape. Bookmark this page to stay up to date with the latest developments.

Additional obligations for VAT compliance in Romania

While it’s important to ensure your business complies with Romania’s e-invoicing requirements should it qualify, there are other obligations that require attention – including general VAT Compliance and the Romanian SAF-T mandate.

The cost of non-compliance may be severe, but our materials and experts can be the helping hand you need to ensure you are meeting your obligations.

FAQ

E-invoicing will be mandatory for all B2B transactions in Romania from 1 July 2024, adding to the existing electronic invoicing requirements for B2G and high fiscal risk B2B transactions.

Between January and June 2024, established entities are required to report their B2B invoices to the RO e-Factura platform within five days of issuance. This reporting obligation applies to VAT-registered entities from January 2024 onwards.

There are numerous requirements for invoices in Romania, including:

  • Date of issuance
  • VAT number of both supplier and customer
  • Full name and address of both supplier and customer
  • Full description of applicable goods or services, including quantities
  • The net supply value
  • The gross invoice value
  • The applicable VAT rate

The Romanian e-Factura is a clearance system which sees e-invoices sent, cleared and received through the central platform.

Should a taxpayer in scope of the e-invoicing and e-reporting mandate not comply with its e-invoicing obligations, they may receive a fine. From April 2024 (at which time the 3-month grace period ends) 2024, large non-compliant taxpayers may be fined between 5,000-10,000 RON, and others may expect a financial penalty between 500-2,500 RON, when failing to meet the e-reporting requirements set forth. From July 2024, non-compliance with the with the issuance and receipt of e-invoices will result in a fine equal to 15% of the total invoice amount.

E-invoice and e-report in Romania with Sovos

Sovos’ continuous transaction controls (CTC) software was purpose-built to help customers stay on top of their obligations, wherever they do business, even as the rules change.

As CTCs and e-invoicing continue to grow in global adoption, it is vital to partner with a provider that closely monitors the decisions of tax administrations and understands the regulations you face. Sovos can help.

One of the largest spirits companies in the world, Brown-Forman turned to Sovos for help with several challenges it was facing surrounding changing e-invoicing regulations. The company needed a solution that would monitor and implement the fiscal requirements of the countries it operated in.

With Sovos e-invoicing compliance in place, Brown-Forman was able to redeploy its resources to core business functions knowing that its e-invoicing requirements were being met – both in the present and the future.

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The convergence of traditional Value Added Tax (VAT) and transactional compliance regimes is creating new obligations and responsibilities for companies doing business around the world. When it comes to VAT, compliance is so much more than just reporting.

Here are six pitfalls you should avoid in the pursuit of VAT compliance:

 

1. Making the wrong VAT decision at the outset

Companies with multijurisdictional supply chains must ensure their VAT determination decisions are accurate every time. Managing the validation process with VAT Determination software that checks validity before invoices are cut can save time and improve data accuracy from the outset.

It’s also best practice to complete your buyer VAT ID checks at this point in the process to avoid nasty surprises later. Checking manually can be incredibly resource-intensive so using a solution that can automate this for you can save both time and hassle.

 

2. Not having a legally valid invoice

To be considered legal for VAT purposes, invoices need to meet a specific set of requirements which vary by jurisdiction. Without legally valid invoices, you may be presented with a host of problems when the time comes to reclaim input VAT. If you have accepted an invoice that doesn’t tick the boxes that make it legal for VAT purposes, you invite the scrutiny of the tax authorities.

Aside from possible fines, the delay while anomalies are reviewed can impact your cash flow and cause reputational damage. Even in a paper world, VAT deduction is not permitted for improperly formatted invoices.

 

3. Missing reporting deadlines

With VAT obligations always growing and adapting, the pressure on internal tax teams is greater than ever. Each government has its own approach to penalties for late submissions or overdue payments. Manual processes can no longer be relied upon to meet the demands of the authorities on time, and with accuracy.

It’s possible to streamline the reporting process using software, outsourced services or a hybrid approach; what’s best for your business depends on how your tax team is organised.

 

4. Manual error

With new requirements coming thick and fast, teams are working harder and faster. As a result, opportunities for manual error are at an all-time high.

Manually processing VAT invoices can be incredibly time-consuming and leaves room for oversight and human error. Even individual errors can lead to bigger problems down the line, attracting the attention of the authorities and impacting your ability to do business.

 

5. Challenges with data extraction and mapping

Extracting the right data from the appropriate system modules, and then processing and mapping it so that it can be summarised, is a complicated and detailed task. To complicate matters further, each jurisdiction has its own unique reporting requirements you must meet. Automating these processes can improve accuracy and your ability to comply.

 

6. Not reviewing data prior to submission

Preparing VAT Returns, EC (European Commission) Sales Lists, Intrastat Declarations and other country-specific reports for regular submission can be demanding. Add in the need to prepare a SAF-T (Standard Audit File for Tax) report and the complexity intensifies. SAF-T requirements differ by country, including transactional data (about sales and purchases) and accounting data at a minimum, but often need information about assets and inventory as well.

Combining detailed data from different source systems with an exacting submission format means the report cannot be easily eyeballed to check for possible errors. Tax Authorities use software to analyse the SAF-T filings   they receive and decide where to follow up with further auditing. To safeguard the quality of the submission and avoid a call from the tax authority, it’s essential that data is thoroughly analysed before it’s submitted – ideally using tools of the same calibre that each Tax Authority is using.

 

It’s never been more important to seek the right advice for VAT. Admitting you need help can be a daunting but crucial step, but the fear of non-compliance should be a bigger concern.

Simply put, there comes a time for every multinational organisation when managing complex tax obligations in-house just isn’t viable anymore. Consolidating your compliance with Sovos gives you access to industry-leading software, consulting services and regulatory experts, all of which are focused on ensuring you’re compliant now and will remain so in the future.

To find out more, get in touch today.

Romania SAF-T declaration

Since 2022, medium and large taxpayers in Romania have had to report their VAT electronically to the tax authority under the international standard known as SAF-T (Standard Audit File for Tax).

Romania implemented SAF-T to improve the data it receives in VAT returns, requiring more granular detail that is reported in real time. As well as benefiting the Romanian tax authority, the electronic submission of the D406 streamlines tax compliance and reporting for businesses.

The legal framework of SAF-T in Romania

The SAF-T mandate in Romania has been introduced through the amendment of the Fiscal Procedure Code, which foresees the obligation for taxpayers to submit a declaration containing information from the accounting and tax records.

The Fiscal Procedure Code also determines that the submission of the SAF-T file must be done electronically, leaving the remaining conditions to be determined by order of the ANAF.

Accordingly, ANAF has issued Order No. 1783, of 4 November 2021, which introduced the SAF-T reporting requirement from 1 January 2022. The Order provided the SAF-T Form D406, as well as the legal deadlines for submitting the various SAF-T files and the procedure and conditions for submission.

In these terms, the D406 file must be submitted electronically by generating an XML format file, which is submitted to a validation procedure, and preparing the corresponding D406 Form in PDF format.

The various SAF-T files can be submitted monthly, quarterly, annually and on-demand, depending on the VAT regime applicable to the taxpayer as well as on the type of file being submitted.

How to declare tax information with the SAF-T in Romania

Transaction and accounting data must be reported through Declaratiei Informative D406. Taxpayers are required to submit the information electronically in PDF format with an XML attachment and electronic signature.

What information must be declared to the ANAF?

The Romanian SAF-T file, the D406, is comprised of five sections:

  1. General Ledger
  2. Accounts Receivable
  3. Accounts Payable
  4. Fixed Assets
  5. Inventory

The SAF-T D406 file to be submitted on a quarterly/monthly basis does not include information on Fixed Assets or Inventory. That data will be part of separate SAF-T files with different filling frequencies, namely the D406 Assets and the D406 Stocks.

Non-resident and small taxpayers will be required to submit a simplified SAF-T file from 2025 that will only account for the purchases and sales carried out through their Romanian VAT ID.

When to submit a SAF-T declaration in Romania

Submission deadlines for SAF-T in Romania can be monthly/quarterly, annual or on demand by the tax authorities.

Monthly or quarterly: The D406 file, except for the ‘Assets’ and ‘Stocks’ sections, shall be submitted monthly or quarterly by resident taxpayers, depending on the applicable VAT regime. The deadline for submission is the last calendar day of the month following the end of the reporting period.

Annual: The ‘Assets’ section can be submitted autonomously and must be filled annually by resident taxpayers within the deadline for submitting the annual financial statements.

On request: The ‘Stocks’ section shall be submitted only if requested by the tax authorities within the deadline established by that request, which cannot be shorter than 30 days.

Timeline of SAF-T in Romania

Romania’s implementation of SAF-T began on 1 January 2022 but only for a specific category of taxpayers. The following dates are when the SAF-T obligation applies to different types of taxpayers:

  • September 2021: Voluntary test period began
  • 1 January 2022: Large taxpayers included in the tax authority’s list from 2021 must file SAF-T
  • 1 July 2022: Large taxpayers who were not in this category on 1 January 2022 must file SAF-T
  • 1 January 2023: Medium-sized taxpayers, financial institutions and insurance firms categorised as large taxpayers must file SAF-T
  • 1 January 2025: Small taxpayers and non-resident taxpayers registered for VAT in Romania must file SAF-T

Understanding SAF-T D406 in Romania

The SAF-T D406 statement is required to be submitted each month or quarter to the Romanian tax authority (ANAF). The submission frequency is dependent on the company’s VAT regime, and it can either be monthly or quarterly.

There is also an annual SAF-T report under D406 – based on the taxpayer’s financial year – which includes asset information from the previous year, as well as a D406 Stock information report which is to be created based on the ANAF’s request.

The SAF-T file must be submitted electronically, through the tax authorities’ public service “Servicii online – Depunere declarații”​.

Implementing SAF-T as a business

Compliance is important for businesses if they are to avoid fines and other penalties from Romania’s tax authorities. To comply with SAF-T, taxpayers must meet reporting deadlines with relevant and complete information – the use of purpose-built solutions can help with this.

Sovos SAF-T solutions can help your organization save time and effort when ensuring compliance with the mandate. Automating the process of preparing files helps not only with efficiency but also accuracy and compliance, providing peace of mind and freeing up valuable time.

For taxpayers established outside of the EU, complying with Romania’s VAT rules requires the appointment of a fiscal representative should they sell in the country. Sovos can help here too – contact us for more information.

Other requirements for VAT compliance in Romania

Tax compliance in Romania goes beyond the SAF-T obligation, especially with Romania’s big push into e-invoicing.

The country introduced an e-invoicing requirement for B2B transactions of high-fiscal risk products in December 2021 and followed that up with an obligation for B2G transactions in May 2022. Both were implemented in July 2022.

Romania is aiming to make e-invoicing mandatory for B2B transactions of all types. Following the EU Council’s derogatory decision, allowing Romania to implement mandatory e-invoicing, Romania published a new B2B mandate with a 2024 oll-out date. The new law also introduces a new reporting system that will operate within the first six months of the introduction of the RO e-Factura e-invoicing system in July 2024. Read more in this overview about e-invoicing in Romania or take a look at this overview about VAT compliance in Romania.

Get in touch with our experts if you need help.

FAQ

SAF-T became mandatory for large resident taxpayers in Romania in January 2022, and for medium-sized resident taxpayers in January 2023. Small and non-resident taxpayers will be obligated under the SAF-T mandate in January 2025.

While SAF-T has a similar reporting format across countries, each country as its own mandatory fields. In Romania, three different declarations are submitted by taxpayers: the general D406 file, the D406 Assets and the D406 Stocks.

SAF-T in Romania currently applies to medium-sized and large resident taxpayers. Small and non-resident taxpayers will need to comply with SAF-T from 2025.

Taxpayers who fail to comply with SAF-T in Romania by not submitting the D406 report may be fined by the tax authority. There is a three-month grace period for non-submission in which no fines will be issued, but after the period a fine of 1,000-5,000 RON may be imposed. For an incorrect or incomplete submission, taxpayers may receive a fine of 500-1,500 RON.

The submission deadline for SAF-T in Romania ends on the last day of the month following the reporting period, which is either a month or a quarter for information outside of stocks and assets.The D406 Assets declaration is to be submitted within the deadline for the yearly submission of the taxpayer’s financial statements.

The D406 Stocks declaration is to be submitted on demand, within the deadline prescribed by the Tax Authorities (a minimum 30-day deadline).

Our Solution capabilities for Romania SAF-T

Data Extraction

Painlessly aggregate and consolidate data from a wide range of source systems across General Ledgers, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable (for monthly or quarterly submissions), Fixed Assets (for annual submissions) and Inventory (submitted on demand) complying with Romania’s standard tax control file, D406.

More about data extraction

Data Analytics

Check the accuracy, integrity and quality of complex data structures required by Romania SAF-T to give you peace of mind before you submit your D406 file to be audited by the ANAF.

More about data analytics

File Generation

Ensure that all required data sets from accounting entries, sales and purchase transactions, asset depreciation, stock movements and more, are mapped seamlessly into Romania’s D406 schema, ready to be analyzed and submitted punctually to the ANAF.

More about file generation

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Infographic

The Tax Authorities are in Your Data

A reactive or ad hoc approach to tax compliance across the markets you do business in can mean the authorities have a better overall view of your data than your own internal teams. How confident are you that you have the same view of your data as the tax authorities?

Staying informed about VAT Reporting and SAF-T can be challenging when it requires keeping up with ever-changing and demanding regulations.

Ensuring you are well-informed about the latest updates from tax authorities is a crucial step in preparing for potential consequences.

In Sovos’ most recent quarterly update webinar on VAT Reporting and SAF-T, Regulatory Counsel Inês Carvalho explores the most recent legislative amendments and their potential impacts on your business.

During this webinar, our expert will cover:

Spain e-invoicing: What you need to know

Spain e-invoicing

Spain is one of many European countries to adopt e-invoicing for taxpayers. With several standards to comply with and additional regional VAT compliance, understanding Spain’s e-invoicing requirements can be complex.

Our regulatory experts break down what you need to know, from specific B2B and B2G standards to required formats. Bookmark this page to stay up to date with the latest e-invoicing requirements in Spain.

Speak to an expert on Spain e-invoicing

Contents

Who must use e-invoicing in Spain?

Electronic invoicing in Spain has been mandatory for all transactions between public administrations and their suppliers since 2015.

Businesses are under varying e-invoicing obligations depending on the nature of their transactions. Electronic invoices will soon be mandated for business-to-business (B2B) transactions, whereas business-to-government (B2G) transactions may already qualify for e-invoicing. More information on the specifics of a company’s compliance obligations can be found below.

How does e-invoicing in Spain work?

From an e-invoicing perspective, Spain is a post-audit country. There is not an e-invoice clearance requirement, but Spain has been an early adopter of the CTC method in the EU with the introduction of mandatory near real-time invoice data reporting.

Currently, Spain’s tax authority is transitioning to adopt a mandatory B2B e-invoicing requirement that will significantly affect the country’s e-invoicing process.

Spain B2B E-invoicing

Spain originally planned to launch its B2B e-invoicing mandate in July 2024 but postponed it. As the Spanish government commits to giving a year’s notice before implementing a passed law, businesses can currently expect a 2025 launch for the mandate.

The country is expected to implement B2B e-invoicing in a phased approach, with it initially affecting large taxpayers and all other taxpayers joining them a year later.

Read more on Spain B2B e-invoicing.

Spain B2G e-invoicing

Since 2015, e-invoicing has been mandatory in Spain in the public sector. Law 25/2013 mandates that all invoices sent to public sector entities must be sent electronically and signed with an eSignature. All public entities receive invoices through one common point of entry, namely FACe.

An exception to the rule allows paper invoices to be sent to public administrations if the transaction amount is under 5,000 euros.

Timeline for e-invoicing requirements in Spain

The mandatory B2B electronic invoicing requirement will be effective according to the annual turnover of the taxpayer:

  • Entrepreneurs and professionals whose annual turnover exceeds €8 million will have one year after the regulatory framework is approved
  • For the rest of the entrepreneurs and professionals, the electronic invoicing obligation will take effect two years after the regulatory framework is approved
  • 1 July, 2030: Spanish VAT-registered businesses must comply with VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) requirements, which include mandatory e-invoicing and digital reporting for Intra-Community B2B transactions.

This timeline will be updated when official implementation dates are announced.

What is the required format for an e-invoice in Spain?

Spain’s approved e-invoicing format for B2G transactions is FacturaE and it follows the XAdES standard and uses XML signatures. The central platform to send e-invoices to public administrations is FACe, though business transactions are to be processed through web service FACeB2B.

E-invoices in Spain must comply with EN 16931 and are required to include set information, including:

  • QR code
  • VAT number
  • Date and time
  • Invoice number
  • Total invoice amount including taxes
  • Unique identification number (Número de Identificación Fiscal or NIF)

The e-invoice issuer must archive the electronic document for a minimum of six years.

Standards and communications for e-invoicing in Spain

There are several e-invoicing standards in play in Spain, governing how the process is carried out by taxpayers.

The format of e-invoices for B2G transactions must meet set standards, for example. Namely, electronic invoices must follow the FacturaE format – an XML-based national standard that is used in tandem with a secure eSignature which follows the XAdES standard.

Once e-invoicing for B2B transactions comes into effect, the format of e-invoices must comply with the EN 16931 standard. The following will be accepted:

  • EDIFACT invoice messages compliant with ISO 0735
  • UBL Invoice and Credit note messages in accordance with ISO/IEC 19845:2015

In terms of communication for e-invoicing in Spain, FACe is the singular hub for submitting electronic invoices in B2G supplies.

How Sovos can help

By now, you will be fully aware that tax compliance in Spain isn’t simple for many businesses. You don’t have to do things alone, though – Sovos can help, combining local tax expertise with complete compliance solutions.

Speak with a member of our team today to free yourself up and focus on what truly matters: your business.

Would you like to learn more about e-invoicing compliance in general? Our dedicated guide for e-invoicing can help you.

EU-based companies must grapple with VAT charges on a myriad of goods transactions within the EU. As a manufacturing company, this intricate web of varying VAT rates can pose significant challenges. Choosing the right EU entry point is a pivotal decision, complicated by each country’s unique VAT regulations. Compounding the complexity, you may not always know the precise location of your goods in transit.

Manufacturers face supply chain disruptions, potentially jeopardising their already sophisticated operations. The question is, where should you commence your VAT journey?

Our VAT expert Russell Hughes guides you in this immersive webinar, where you will gain insights into:

Join us on this transformative journey through the VAT labyrinth and gain a competitive edge in the EU market. Don’t miss this opportunity to optimise your expansion strategy.

 

Register now.

Join our insightful Insurance Premium Tax webinar where Sovos’ IPT experts James Brown and Khaled Cherif delve into the lesser-known, insurer-borne taxes in Belgium, France and Ireland. These taxes, whilst not directly charged to policyholders, can significantly impact insurers’ bottom lines.

Explore the intricate landscape of the following areas, considering the impact that they can have on insurers’ financials:

Discover the background to these taxes and how you can ensure compliance with their requirements to mitigate business risk and maximise profitability. Don’t miss this opportunity to shed light on the hidden financial burdens that can significantly affect your insurance business.

Register now.

When it was announced recently that the introduction of a new French e-invoicing mandate had been delayed until September 2026 there was a collective sigh of relief amongst many in the tax and finance world. More time to adequately prepare, put systems and methodologies in place and have your business ready to be compliant from the get-go.

Sounds optimal, but let’s focus on reality. First, the reported delay is a bit deceiving. While it may not officially take effect until 2026, you only have a matter of months to get prepared to participate in the extended trial. Human nature may be to push it to the side and focus on more short-term deadlines. However, to not take advantage of the extra time provided would be shortsighted at best.

Here are five ways you can make this extra time work for you: 

  1. Take time to fully understand the mandate and how it impacts your organization. Be prepared to answer questions such as, where will e-invoicing and e-reporting data come from? Do we need to involve IT. Use this time to eliminate surprises.
  2. Study and consider what other aspects of the business may be impacted by this mandate. Understand what other business data is required for a smooth integration and approvals. Consider confidentiality and data privacy.
  3. Begin to align internal processes, workflows and systems in preparation for impending changes. This is your opportunity to test different approaches and workstreams to ensure a high-level of efficiency. How will you manage the process and who in your organization will have operational responsibility when extended trials go live?
  4. The first list of officially registered service providers will go live in spring, 2024. Use this time to do your research on which service providers make sense for your organization, both during the trial period and as a potential long-term partner.
  5. Evaluate your current compliance management strategy. As you begin working with a registered service provider through the trial period, consider how this differs from your approach to other government mandates. What can you learn from this experience and what other areas might you be able to improve upon?

 

More on the France B2B E-Invoicing Mandate

Note: portions of this section originally appeared in the Sovos blog, France: B2B E-Invoicing Mandate Postponed, updated 19 September 23.

Businesses will soon be able to register proactively for the pilot program, which has been designed to allow businesses to test the PDP platform. This program is intended to build knowledge and confidence and ensure businesses are on the path to readiness.

Therefore, it would be prudent to regard the delay as a mere six-month postponement, with the beginning of the pilot program acting as the de facto starting date. To understand the full impact on their business processes and data flows, companies will need to thoroughly test up to 36 use-cases.

The good news is that the many software vendors helping companies to streamline their purchase-to-pay and order-to-cash processes will be eager to test the compliance of their solutions as early as possible in what has become a completely new ecosystem.

We are proud to say that Sovos is one of the first 20 candidates for service provider (PDP) accreditation in France and as such, will be fully prepared to assist your organization through the trial process and beyond.

Take action:

Looking for more information about how to comply with the French Mandate?

Download our French Mandate eBook or Contact our expert team.

Greece’s VAT reform started back in 2020 and it has manifested itself in three continuous transaction control (CTC) initiatives.

Namely, the initiatives are:

Recently, the introduction of an e-transport mandate was included in the country’s VAT reform strategy, although not much detail has been published yet.

More progress has been made in implementing the myDATA scheme and the new cash registers than for CTC e-invoicing. However, in the last few months, the authorities have taken steps towards setting up the right framework to make CTC e-invoicing – which is currently voluntary for B2B transactions – mandatory for all.

myDATA e-audit reform

myDATA went live as a voluntary system in 2020 and followed a gradual implementation timeline which is ongoing. It is an e-audit system that requires taxpayers to report transactional and accounting data to the tax administration, in real-time or periodically, which populates a set of online ledgers maintained on the government portal. The goal of myDATA is for the online ledgers to be the only source of truth of the taxpayer’s tax and financial results, and for their respective information to pre-fill the taxpayer’s VAT returns and financial statements.

Greece’s myDATA is a reporting obligation of ledger-type data and it is not to be confused with e-invoicing as it doesn’t require invoices to be issued and exchanged in electronic form. Greece allows for invoices (in B2B transactions) to be issued and exchanged on paper or electronically following the standard e-invoicing rules of the EU VAT Directive.

B2B e-invoicing reform in Greece

In parallel with the roll-out of myDATA, the authorities established an accreditation framework for e-invoicing service providers and introduced a voluntary e-invoicing scheme involving accredited entities. These entities are accredited by the government to perform certain functions, namely:

To encourage the uptake of CTC e-invoicing, the government provided several incentives to businesses to use e-invoicing facilitated through accredited service providers. It also obliged businesses who opt for CTC e-invoicing to use no other methods to fulfil the myDATA requirements e.g., ERP reporting, except through accredited service providers. This implies that a business selecting CTC e-invoicing for its B2B transactions must use the same method for issuing and reporting all other invoices, including B2G transactions, and vice versa.

B2G e-invoicing reform in Greece

CTC e-invoicing became mandatory for B2G transactions on 12 September 2023 for VAT-registered suppliers to certain government agencies. The mandate will continue to roll out in phases with the next main milestone coming up in January 2024. This obligation covers the vast majority of public contracts, from defence and security to general supplies and services, with some exceptions (e.g. contracts in defence and security which are classified as secret).

With the introduction of the B2G e-invoicing mandate, the use of CTC e-invoicing has indirectly become mandatory for B2B transactions too, encompassing both issuance and reporting to myDATA. It means that businesses in the scope of the B2G e-invoicing mandate have the obligation to use CTC e-invoicing through accredited e-invoicing service providers to issue and report both their B2B and B2G e-invoice flows to myDATA.

While a B2B e-invoicing mandate cannot be introduced without prior approval by the European Commission, the Greek Ministry of Finance announced that it has started a dialogue with the Commission to discuss the conditions required to implement a nationwide mandate.

Although an ambitious timeline, the Ministry envisions a full implementation of a B2B e-invoicing mandate within 2024.

Looking ahead

Clearly, Greece’s CTC initiatives are in line with the EU paradigm shift towards increased governmental control over transactional and accounting data – it recognises the benefits of tighter tax compliance and taking steps to close its tax gap.

Significant progress has been made, with myDATA operational since 2021. With the addition of CTC e-invoicing and the e-transport mandate in the VAT reform strategy, the Greek government and businesses face a demanding period in the coming years.

Need help with the current VAT reform in Greece? Our expert team can help.

E-documents or electronic documents are rapidly growing in usage across businesses of all shapes and sizes, in countries around the world.

While the automated exchange of e-documents is a relatively new phenomenon which is being adopted on a country-by-country basis, there is basic universal information that your business would benefit from understanding – and potentially utilizing.

This blog will serve as your one-stop shop for required e-document knowledge.

What is an e-document?

An e-document is an electronic transactional document or message and is typically used in an automated business process.

As the digitisation of business accelerates, so too does the use of electronic documents – whether that be an electronic invoice sent in real-time to a national tax authority or an electronic goods receipt note exchanged between companies.

The difference between electronic documents and other digital documents such as PDFs is that e-documents are machine-readable and are generally exchanged by online platforms or software.

That said, there are numerous types of e-documents and there is little standardisation as each country has its own stance and potential mandate on their adoption. The European Union has long been working on its approach to e-documents for increased interoperability with definitions and rules as part of its efforts under the eGovernment Action plan and eIDAS regulation to facilitate digital transactions and services in the EU.

In addition, the UK recently adopted the UK’s Electronic Document Trade Act which is a huge step towards the digitization of trade documents and potentially paperless global trade.

Types of e-documents

There is a wide variety of electronic documents to suit a number of applications across business, helping to streamline workflows and operations, facilitate cross-border trade and save on costs.

E-document mandates in Turkey, for example, include:

Other electronic documents that are used in some countries include:

There has been a notable implementation of e-documents in transport in recent years, with the likes of Romania adopting a system that requires taxpayers to use an electronic waybill system to obtain clearance of the transport document before the transport of goods begins. Read our dedicated blog to find out more about the global rise of e-transport documents.

One particular e-document that has had an exponential rise in utility over the past few years is the e-invoice. Electronic invoices have grown in popularity as countries develop their continuous transaction controls (CTC) and e-invoicing regulatory obligations. The likes of France, Spain and Poland all plan to introduce e-invoice mandates, requiring taxpayers to send invoices electronically.

Read our comprehensive e-invoicing guide for more information.

Why use electronic documents?

There is a host of reasons that electronic documents can be beneficial, which explains why tax administrations globally are implementing e-document mandates.

A primary reason for the use of e-documents is that they generally allow for the automation of workflows, increasing safety, accuracy, transparency and cost-saving for the involved parties. Automating the process of generating and exchanging documentation reduces the risk of error, allows for seamless transmission of information (including to tax authorities who seek greater transparency) and reduces the reliance on paper (providing an environmental benefit).

Another reason businesses use electronic documents is simply because they are mandated to do so as part of tax digitization controls. An increasing amount of tax authorities are making it an obligation to send documents electronically, and facing a penalty due to non-compliance is not desirable. As CTC regime adoption grows, so too does the need for businesses to meet their new e-document obligations.

Compliance conditions of e-documents

The compliance conditions of e-documents vary depending on the national rules, but there are some typical conditions across regimes.

In the context of tax digitization controls, the conditions that apply to some of the most regulated e-document types, such as the e-invoice, include:

What’s the difference between a digital document and an electronic document?

The difference between electronic documents and digital documents is a hot topic. It’s easy to get confused between the two considering that “digital” and “electronic” are used interchangeably by many, but it’s important to understand the difference.

Digital documents are often a digital analogue of a physical document – think a scanned document, photograph, or PDF – and oftentimes are simple for people to read and digest. An example of a digital document would be an invoice sent as a PDF via email.

Electronic documents are files of data that are generated by and for computers, making them hard for people to read due to their formatting. Such data – like that seen in a structured e-invoice (e.g. XML) – is meant to be sent from one system to another without interference from humans.

How Sovos can help

Sovos’ software allows businesses to manage CTC obligations, including e-invoicing compliance and archiving.

As the world continues its digitisation, it’s important to stay on top of evolving regulations and to keep up with best practices for your business. Working with Sovos, your business can:

Find out more about Sovos’ CTC solutions.

How can manufacturers navigate the ever-evolving and increasingly complex world of value added tax (VAT)? There are several, key ways to evaluate your current and future approach to VAT, maintaining compliance the entire way.

1. Ensure alignment between IT and tax teams

Far too often we have seen IT-centric processes miss (or at least misunderstand) key compliance needs and requirements, and tax-centric processes fail to consider the practicalities of automation. Both tax and IT must realise that they will need each other for ongoing maintenance and solution expansion initiatives.

2. Continually establish and evolve processes to share up-to-date compliance documentation

Organisations would be well served to establish and share solid documentation around their compliance protocols and conduct periodic reviews to ensure they are continuing to do what is necessary to minimise audit risk and keep their company safe.

3. Recognise the consequences of non-compliance

There are both tactical and strategic questions at play here, and manufacturers must make thoughtful business decisions around how to handle the level of VAT compliance requirements that their operations demand. Increased audit volume is coming, so the industry has to commit to effectively and efficiently meeting the ever-growing compliance obligations of e-invoicing and periodic reporting.

4. Regularly review your indirect tax strategy

Although you may have an indirect tax strategy in place, make sure to evaluate how effective your current strategy is, especially as requirements are undergoing significant changes in so many jurisdictions. Is your strategy sufficiently up-to-date to ensure it efficiently and accurately addresses current and upcoming compliance obligations and is scalable to seamlessly meet the rapidly evolving needs business will face tomorrow.

5. Use automation and cloud-based solutions

Digital identity verification and transaction management frees your organisation from regulatory friction and our intelligent solutions integrate with your processes to ensure valid and future-proof transactions.

Sovos helps you remain focused on your central business by reducing the friction of complex tax digitisation mandates. We take a future-facing approach to indirect tax compliance with intelligent tools that provide insights for a competitive advantage.

Learn about compliance solutions built for manufacturers!

 

When considering motor insurance, it’s worth remembering that everything is high – from tax rates to the amount of administration required.

This blog includes general information about the taxation of motor insurance policies in Europe, covering the types of applicable taxes, how they are calculated, vehicle exemptions and more. We also have blogs for some of the more complex taxation requirements in the region, written by our regulatory experts.

 

Update: 2 November 2023 by Edit Buliczka

Guarantee Fund Contributions Are Not Payable by Foreign Insurers

The Amendment to the Sixth Motor Insurance Directive, also known as the “MID,” was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 2 December 2021. MID relates to insurance against civil liability in relation to the use of motor vehicles and the enforcement of the obligation to insure against such liability.

The measures of the Directive 2021/2118 (the “Amendment”), which was signed on 24 November 2021, must be transposed into national law by 23 December 2023, at the latest.

 

Effects of the amendment

Among other important measures, this Amendment is relevant to insurance premium taxation. Two new articles were added to the MID regarding the contributions that may be payable by the insurance companies to the national guarantee funds.

According to Article 10a and Article 25a, every EU Member State is required to ensure that there are sufficient resources available to compensate injured parties in a motor vehicle accident where the relevant insurer is subject to bankruptcy or winding-up proceedings. The insurers may be required to contribute financially to these funds, but only insurance companies authorised by the Member State that imposed the payments may be subject to these levies.

In practice, the measures mean that contributions to the national guarantee funds related to compulsory third-party motor liability insurance policies cannot be collected from foreign insurers that write businesses on a freedom of services (FoS) basis. Since there is a requirement for the implementation of these measurements coming into national law by 23 December 2023, legally no guarantee fund contributions are payable by foreign insurers as of 24 December 2023.

Some governments, including Denmark and Ireland, have already started to draft the necessary regulations and incorporate them into their national laws. Others will likely follow shortly as there are under two months available for the implementation of these rules, at the time of the publication of this update. Perhaps several annual budgets will include the necessary legislative changes to comply with the measurements of the Amendment.

If you would like to receive further information about the guarantee fund contributions, please contact our IPT experts.

 

Insurance coverage in Europe on motor-related risks

According to Annex 1 of the Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of the EU, often known as the Solvency II Directive, motor vehicle insurance policies are classified as Class 3 Land vehicles (other than railway rolling stocks).

This business category covers any damage or loss to:

  1. Land motor vehicles
  2.  Land vehicles other than motor vehicles

Class 10 Motor Vehicle Liability is another business class that covers motor-related risks. This business class covers all risks associated with liabilities deriving from the operation of motor vehicles on land.

A third-party motor vehicle insurance coverage guarantees that if an accident happens and/or damage occurs to another person’s vehicle, the expenses of the accident or damage are covered by the insurer of the person who caused the accident or damage.

We must not forget Directive 2009/103/EC on civil liability insurance for motor vehicles which governs mandatory motor insurance policies throughout Europe. One of the directive’s main principles is that all motor vehicles in the EU must have third-party liability insurance.

We should also mention that the European Parliament and the Council adopted the Directive (EU) 2021/2118 on 24 November 2021, aiming to modernise and amend the aforementioned directive with a deadline for the transposition of 31 December 2023.

In this blog, we outline the main characteristics of the taxation of motor-related insurance policies.

 

Which taxes are payable in relation to motor insurance policies?

Premiums derived from motor-related policies are often subject to several types of insurance premium taxes. Class 3 risks are primarily subject to insurance premium tax (IPT), whereas mandatory third-party liability (MTPL) policies are subject to a wide range of taxes.

This may include IPT and/or payments to guarantee funds, as well as additional levies, charges, or contributions such as:

There is also the traffic safety fee, Automobile Rente (CAR) payment, automobile insurance bureau levy and rescue tax. This list goes on.

The disclosure and payment rules are also diverse. These fees can be paid yearly, monthly, quarterly or in instalments – with or without prepayments or final adjustments.

 

How taxes on vehicle insurance policies are calculated

If IPT is charged on the motor hull or the MTPL policies, it is typically based on the premium amounts received, with the tax being a percentage of the premium. This is not the case in Austria, for example, where the computation of MTPL taxes is complicated.

The tax is calculated based on the engine’s horsepower and CO2 emissions. It also varies depending on the registration date of the vehicle, the frequency of payment and whether the 2017/1151 EU law applies to the vehicle. On top of that, no payment is due if the size of the engine does not reach 24kW or 65 kW. Contrary to the Austrian example, the IPT rate in Hungary is 23% – based on the premium amount.

Contributions to the Guarantee Fund are typically calculated as a percentage of the premium, as in France, Greece or Sweden. However, this fee can also be fixed as it is in Denmark, for example.

 

What vehicles are exempt from tax?

Most countries exempt premium amounts from policies covering motor hull or MTPL risks based on the following:

If the vehicle is operated by the authorities – such as police vehicles, fire trucks, or ambulances – or the armed services, it is typically exempt. Cars driven by disabled individuals and buses used for public transportation are likewise excluded in most cases. Insurance policies covering electric or hybrid vehicles may be excluded as well.

 

How Sovos can help with Insurance Premium Tax on vehicle tax

Sovos can provide advice on motor-related insurance premium taxation. Our compliance team may be able to help you in settling IPT in various countries across Europe, contact us today.

5 Questions Every Non-EU Manufacturer Must Ask when trading in the EU

With the rate of change in tax digitization not set to slow down any time soon, it’s more important than ever to keep up with what’s happening where you do business.

This quarter, our VAT Snapshot webinar looks in detail at CTC and e-invoicing implementation timelines across six different countries.

Join Dilara İnal and Carolina Silva from our Regulatory Analysis and Design team for an examination of scope, key timelines and essential milestones for compliance across these jurisdictions.

The webinar will cover:

As always, please bring your questions for our experts in the Q&A at the end.

Stay up to date with the evolving landscape of tax mandates by registering today.

Register now.

Intrastat thresholds are value thresholds which decide if companies in an EU Member State qualify to file a return to tax authorities, based on their intra-community trading. These thresholds change annually, prompting businesses to conduct an annual recalculation to know their obligations.

This blog contains all the Intrastat reporting thresholds for 2026, as well as important information for businesses trading within the EU. It will be updated to reflect any changes as soon as they are implemented.

Level up your Intrastat knowledge with our handy Intrastat guide, which covers reporting requirements, returns and declarations, commodity codes, how Sovos can help and more.

What are Intrastat thresholds?

Intrastat thresholds are annual value thresholds that decide whether businesses must declare their intra-EU trades to the relevant national tax authorities.

While Intrastat is based on a European Union regulation, Member States have implemented the rule differently. As such, companies trading across the EU must be aware of the exemption threshold for each country they trade in – whether that’s acquiring or dispatching goods.

When a business exceeds the threshold in a Member State, it must continue to file Intrastat returns with the country until the applicable January-to-December period has concluded.

How can I calculate Intrastat thresholds?

Intrastat thresholds must be calculated each year as they change annually, and there are separate values for arrivals and dispatches.

To make it easy for your business, we have listed all the Intrastat thresholds below in a table – country-by-country. Find out whether your company needs to file an Intrastat return in EU Member States where you do business.

Intrastat thresholds in 2026

The current Intrastat thresholds have been in place since the beginning of the year. They are due to change again in 2026. For the current applicable thresholds for your business, view the table below.

The table will be kept updated with the latest threshold values.

Country Arrivals Dispatches
Austria EUR 1.1 million EUR 1.1 million
Belgium EUR 1.5 million EUR 1 million
Bulgaria BGN 1.76 million (EUR 899.874) BGN  2.2 million (EUR 1.150.407)
Croatia EUR 450.000 EUR 300.000
Cyprus EUR 380.000 EUR 75.000
Czech Republic CZK 15 million CZK 15 million
Denmark DKK 42 million DKK 11.8 million
Estonia EUR 350.000
Finland EUR 800.000
France No threshold No threshold
Germany EUR 3.000.000 EUR 1.000.000
Greece EUR 200.000 EUR 90.000
Hungary HUF 400 million HUF 160 million
Ireland EUR 750.000 EUR 750.000
Italy EUR 350.000 (goods) No threshold
Latvia EUR 350.000 EUR 200.000
Lithuania EUR 600.000 EUR 400.000
Luxembourg EUR 250.000 EUR 200.000
Malta EUR 700 EUR 700
Netherlands The Netherlands have abolished the Intrastat threshold. Intrastat has become a report to submit “on demand” of the Dutch authorities. The Netherlands have abolished the Intrastat threshold. Intrastat has become a report to submit “on demand” of the Dutch authorities.
Poland PLN 6 million PLN 2.8 million
Portugal EUR 650.000 EUR 600.000
Romania RON 1 million RON 1 million
Slovakia EUR 1 million EUR 1 million
Slovenia EUR 240.000 EUR 270.000
Spain EUR 400.000 EUR 400.000
Sweden SEK 15 million SEK 12 million
United Kingdom GBP 500.000 GBP 250.000

 

Intrastat threshold exemptions and exceptions

Businesses that trade within an EU Member State but at figures lower than those listed in the above table are not required to file Intrastat returns. There are additional nuances that exist on a country-by-country basis that may change the obligations of a company.

The Netherlands removed its threshold in 2023. Its tax authorities will notify taxpayers subject to submitting Intrastat returns. They monitor intra-community transactions performed by domestic taxpayers monthly.

Italy and France differ from other countries as it has combined Intrastat returns and ECSL returns into a single declaration.

It can be difficult to stay on top of Intrastat, especially with the variety among countries, but Sovos can help. Contact our team of experts to find out how we can assist.

If you are interested in learning more about European VAT compliance, download our free eBook.

How Sovos can help with Intrastat

Sovos’ Advanced Periodic Reporting (APR) is a cloud solution. It mitigates the risks and costs of compliance, futureproofing and streamlining the handling of your periodic reporting – including Intrastat.

Our solution automates, centralises and standardises the preparation, reconciliation, amendment and validation of summary reports to make meeting your obligations simple.