Germany – the largest economy in Europe, and the fourth largest globally – is moving towards mandatory e-invoicing. As a key exporter of industrial goods, automobiles, machinery and chemicals, many European countries depend on German supply chains. This demonstrates the importance of understanding your compliance requirements, and choosing the right solution provider is critical.
Tax authority audits can happen at any time. Join us for this webinar where our compliance experts will explain how to minimize the risk of audit, the evolving landscape of reporting and common triggers for an IPT audit.
Bulgaria SAF-T: Everything You Need To Know
Bulgaria is on its way to introducing mandatory SAF-T reporting requirements for businesses, with implementation starting in January 2026.
But what is SAF-T, and how will these requirements affect Bulgarian taxpayers? This page has all the answers you need.
Short for Standard Audit File for Tax, SAF-T is an XML-based file type used to exchange tax information electronically to tax authorities. The goal of the initiative is to enhance tax compliance and streamline data exchange between taxpayers and tax authorities.
SAF-T is an international standard used across Europe, including countries such as Poland, France, Germany, Romania, Lithuania, Norway and soon Bulgaria.
Different types of information typically have varying reporting requirements. For example, once implemented in Bulgaria, SAF-T rules will require the monthly filing of general ledger entries, purchase and sales invoices and payment records – while asset information must be submitted annually.
When to submit a SAF-T declaration in Bulgaria
SAF-T’s implementation in Bulgaria begins in January 2026. There will be three mandated SAF-T reports, all with different reporting cadences.
Monthly – submitted by 14th day of following month: General ledger, Accounts Payable and Receivable, Sales and purchase invoices
Annually – submitted by 30 June of following year: Fixed assets
On-demand: Inventory
Bulgaria SAF-T implementation timeline
Here are the key dates in Bulgaria’s SAF-T plans.
January 2026: SAF-T applies to large enterprises that either have:
Net sales revenue for 2023 exceeding BGN 300 million (approx. 150 million EUR)
Tax and social security contributions collected exceeding BGN 3.5 million
January 2027: SAF-T applies to large, medium and small enterprises that either have:
Net sales revenue for 2024 exceeding BGN 300 million (approx. 150 million EUR)
Tax and social security contributions collected exceeding BGN 3.5 million
January 2028: Large, medium and small enterprises that either have:
Net sales revenue for 2025 exceeding BGN 15 million (approx. 7.5 million EUR)
Tax and social security contributions collected exceeding BGN 1.5 million
January 2029 – SAF-T applies to all large, medium and small enterprises – regardless of additional conditions.
January 2030 – SAF-T also applies to micro-enterprises.
Note: There will be a six-month grace period for SAF-T reporting, and taxpayers can submit corrections to submitted files within six months without being penalised by the tax authorities.
Implementing SAF-T as a business
Complying with your tax obligations is vital. In the coming years, SAF-T will serve as another requirement for Bulgarian taxpayers, providing deadlines for the accurate reporting of important data. This will only add to your compliance workload.
Sovos SAF-T solutions can help your organisation to spend less time on compliance and more on growing your business. Automate your preparation process to drive efficiency and ensure accuracy, providing peace of mind that you will avoid potential fines and penalties.
SAF-T is not mandatory in Bulgaria, though its legal implementation begins in 2026 for qualifying large businesses. It will be obligatory for businesses of all sizes in Bulgaria from January 2030.
From January 2026, large enterprises will need to file SAF-T reports if their net sales revenue for 2023 exceeds BGN 300 million or tax and social security contributions collected exceed BGN 3.5 million.
From January 2027, large, medium and small enterprises will have to file SAF-T reports if their net sales revenue for 2023 exceeds BGN 300 million or tax and social security contributions collected exceed BGN 3.5 million.
From January 2028, large, medium and small enterprises must comply with SAF-T requirements if their net sales revenue for 2025 exceeds BGN 15 million or tax and social security contributions collected exceed BGN 1.5 million.
From January 2029, Bulgaria’s SAF-T obligation will expand to include all large, medium and small enterprises. This will grow to include micro-enterprises in January 2030.
From 2026, applicable taxpayers in Bulgaria will have to submit SAF-T reports as per the following:
General ledgers, Accounts Payable Receivable, and sales and purchase invoices must be submitted monthly – specifically by the 14th day of the following month.
Fixed assets must be reported annually – specifically by the 30 June of the following year.
Inventory reports must be submitted whenever requested – this is an on-demand reporting process.
Switzerland is on its e-invoicing journey, having mandated its use for transactions between suppliers and federal government entities since 2016.
That said, electronic invoicing is voluntary for B2B and B2C transactions, though there are different countrywide digitisation initiatives by businesses. Bookmark this page to stay on top of what’s to come from Switzerland’s tax authority.
Switzerland currently requires suppliers to issue electronic invoices when contracting with federal administrations, if the contract’s value exceeds CHF 5,000 (approx. EUR 5,200).
There are two main e-invoicing channels made available to businesses for submitting e-invoices to federal administrations:
Solution via ERP or Service provider
Submission of readable PDF via email
How does B2B e-invoicing work in Switzerland?
Private businesses can choose to issue electronic invoices voluntarily. A few initiatives, such as the QR Bill, encourage businesses to adopt electronic invoicing.
Since June 2020, QR bills replaced the payment slips. The QR bill embeds a Swiss QR code, that contains all relevant information for automated payment in structured form.
The QR code is compatible with e-invoices by complementing the data set with QR reference and QR IBAN in the Payment reference number and IBAN Number fields, respectively.
Considerations for handling B2B e-invoices in Switzerland
Integrity and authenticity: All data relevant to VAT must be ensured in terms of integrity, authenticity, and inalterability. The Federal Act on Electronic Signatures, ZertES, regulates electronic signatures.
Retention and archiving: Invoices must be stored in such way to guarantee their integrity, authenticity and availability during the storage period. Electronic signatures are explicitly mentioned as an example. The retention period is 10 years after end of accounting year.
Buyer consent: This is needed for the legal exchange of electronic invoices.
Format of electronic invoices and documents in Switzerland
While Switzerland does not mandate a specific invoice format, swissDIGIN is the recommended e-invoicing format. Other accepted formats include:
Cross-Industry XML Transaction Standards (UBL 2.0, CII XML 2.0)
Hybrid format (ZUGFeRD, Factur-X)
Timeline of e-invoicing adoption in Switzerland
Here are the key dates in the country’s electronic invoicing journey so far.
1 January 2016: B2G transactions now require the issuance of an e-invoice.
1 October 2022: The QR Bill replaces the previously used payment slips. All payment orders based on payment slips were discontinued.
Only transactions from suppliers to the Swiss government are mandated to be invoiced electronically. B2B e-invoicing is currently voluntary in Switzerland.
With the EU’s ViDA initiative close to being enforced, electronic invoices are planned to become mandatory for B2B transactions across Europe—including Switzerland—from January 2026.
Taxpayers must ensure the integrity of the content and authenticity of the origin of e-invoices. The most common method to meet these requirements is to apply an e-signature.
The primary benefit of adopting e-invoicing is complying with Switzerland’s mandate for B2G transactions.
It provides other business benefits, including reducing paper usage and waste, saving costs and manual labour associated with processing, reducing errors by eliminating manual input and enabling integration possibilities for operational efficiency.
Setting up e-invoicing in Switzerland with Sovos
E-invoicing isn’t just growing in popularity in Switzerland, it’s on a global rise. As electronic invoicing continues to become mandated, compliance becomes more difficult and as important as ever.
E-nvoicing may be a global trend, but it’s fragmented in nature. Countries have their own rules and regulations. That’s why it’s imperative that you choose a single vendor for compliance. Sovos is the solution.
Instead of spending your time ensuring compliance everywhere you do business, let Sovos do the heavy lifting so you can focus on what matters.
As a pioneer in tax digitization, Sweden is one of the early adopters of electronic information exchange, with its journey starting in 2003.
The country has been digitally transforming its processes since then, bringing its e-invoicing rules and standards in line with the European standard (EN 16931).
This page is your ideal overview, covering major developments, pertinent regulations and requirements, and other important information.
As in many European countries, Sweden does not require the use of e-invoices for B2B transactions. Nevertheless, businesses in the country are encouraged to use the Peppol interoperability network and the EN19631-compliant Peppol BIS 3.0 format.
Companies opting for e-invoicing with their business partners should have the following compliance aspects in mind:
Buyer consent is needed to exchange electronic invoices.
Ensuring integrity and authenticity—any of the controls prescribed by the law are accepted. Electronic signatures and seals are the most widely accepted legal means of ensuring the integrity and authenticity of business transactions.
Invoices must be stored in such a way that guarantees their integrity, authenticity and availability during the storage period. The retention period is seven years from the end of the calendar year during which the accounting period ended.
B2G e-invoicing in Sweden
E-invoicing in public procurement has been mandatory in Sweden since 2019, obligating suppliers and their public contractors to exchange electronic invoices. Unlike many other countries that have implemented e-invoicing, Sweden does not have a central platform for transmitting invoices electronically.
Sweden considers Peppol its preferred solution for public sector e-invoicing. Peppol BIS Billing 3 is the nation’s standard e-invoicing format, meaning it wholly complies with the European standard. It requires public sector entities to be registered in Peppol so they can receive e-invoices from suppliers.
There are other formats in use – like ESAP 6 and Svefaktura – but Sweden’s Peppol Authority, the Agency for Digital Government (Digg), actively encourages the use of Peppol BIS Billing 3.0 and is phasing out the legacy formats.
The use of Peppol in Sweden
Sweden is one of the many European countries that complies with Peppol’s framework and standards. The country’s Peppol authority, the Agency for Digital Government (Digg), is focused on utilising the framework to assist with the adoption of e-invoicing, e-procurement and standardised infrastructure for cross-border trade.
Some of the Peppol specifications used in Sweden in are:
Here are the key dates in Sweden’s electronic invoicing journey.
11 November 2003 – First act on electronic exchange of information by government agencies
1 April 2019: The act for B2G transactions enters into force, mandating suppliers of public entities to send electronic invoices.
1 December 2019: All public sector entities must be registered in PeppolFebruary 2023: Swedish government agencies submit a formal request to the government to investigate the adoption of mandatory e-invoicing for B2B transactions
1 July, 2030: Swedish 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.
Setting up e-invoicing in Sweden with Sovos
While e-invoicing has been common in Sweden since 2008, it’s still growing in popularity and adoption around the world. As more mandates enter into force, compliance becomes more complicated for international organisations.
The global rise of electronic invoicing is paired with its fragmented nature; countries have their own rules and preferences. Choosing a single vendor for compliance everywhere you do business is key.
Reclaim time and free your mind by allowing Sovos to care about compliance for you.
The Netherlands’ e-invoicing journey started in 2019 when all public authorities were obligated to receive electronic invoices from their suppliers. It is estimated that roughly 1.6 million invoices are exchanged annually with the government.
Even though e-invoicing in business relations is still not mandatory, there are considerations to keep in mind when implementing e-invoicing between businesses voluntarily.
This page provides an overview of e-invoicing in The Netherlands, from its start to the current day. Be sure to bookmark the page to keep updated with future updates.
Key considerations for B2B e-invoicing in the Netherlands
Many businesses in The Netherlands voluntarily opt-in for e-invoicing in their business relations, unlocking the benefits of digitisation.
Key considerations companies need to be aware of when implementing e-invoicing in the country include:
Obtaining the consent of the buyer to send an electronic invoice.
Ensuring integrity and authenticity – any means are accepted, from internal process controls up to digitally signing the e-invoices.
The retention period for electronic invoices is seven years. The e-invoices must be archived in such a way as to guarantee their integrity, authenticity and availability during the retention period.
Characteristics of B2G electronic invoicing in the Netherlands
Since 2020, suppliers of central Dutch authorities have been obliged to submit e-invoices to their public contractors. The Netherlands has implemented the Peppol interoperability network to facilitate the exchange of e-invoices with governmental bodies.
The mandatory identifier that is used to route e-invoices to the central government organisations is the OIN number (Organisatie-identificatienummer).
There are three methods of submitting e-invoices:
Via Accounting Software, connected to Peppol.
Through e-invoicing service providers access points of Peppol.
Using the designated government Supplier Portal.
Common data formats used in the Netherlands
E-invoices in the Netherlands can be sent and received in several formats, including:
SI-UBL 2.0 – The UBL implementation of NLCIUS, addressing local Dutch requirements in e-invoicing to government and businesses. It is based on the European Standard EN 16931, and it is the preferred Dutch format.
Peppol BIS 3.0 – The interoperability format in the Peppol network. Based on the European Standard EN 16931.
Other industry formats used within the country – UBL-OHLN, 4.5. SETU (HR – XML), etc.
Timeline of e-invoicing adoption in the Netherlands
Here are the key dates in the Netherlands’ e-invoicing journey.
1 July 2016: The Dutch government transposes Directive 2014/55/EU into national law
18 April 2019: The deadline for government suppliers to implement B2G e-invoicing
1 October 2020: The Dutch Peppol Authority (NPa or Nederlandse Peppolautoriteit) becomes a governmental body and oversees the Peppol network within the country.
1 July, 2030: Dutch 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.
Penalties: What happens if I don’t comply with e-invoicing in the Netherlands?
Taxpayers should expect to receive fines for failing to meet invoicing requirements in The Netherlands.
While sending electronic invoices for B2B transactions is not mandated, it is required for private businesses that supply the Dutch central government. Failure to comply with the rules could result in a financial penalty.
Setting up e-invoicing in the Netherlands with Sovos
E-invoicing is on the rise globally, especially in Europe, where the EU’s ViDA initiative is imminently arriving.
While electronic invoicing is a worldwide trend, it is fragmented and requires a nuanced approach wherever you do business. It’s important to choose a single vendor for compliance, simplifying your obligations.
Sovos is your ideal tax compliance partner. Let us handle your e-invoicing so you can focus on what matters: growing your business.
Complete the form below to speak with one of our e-invoicing experts
The Netherlands mandates that invoices to the Dutch central government must be transmitted electronically. It is currently not enforced for transactions between private businesses.
The Peppol network is used as a framework in the B2G e-invoicing process. In late 2023, the country joined a pilot program organised by the European Commission on the exchange of e-invoices between businesses in The Netherlands and Singapore.
You’ll explore how businesses can navigate the evolving compliance landscape without getting trapped between disparate e-invoicing, reporting, and determination vendors.
Join Sovos at the 18th Group Indirect Tax Exchange and gain insights from our expert on the Industry Adoption of E-Invoices and E-Reporting Challenges. Stay ahead of the latest e-Invoicing conversations and make the most of this premier conference and networking event. Reserve your ticket today!
Tax Compliance 2025: Top Trends in Tax, Regulatory and Technology
Download the Report
Traditional approaches to tax compliance are becoming obsolete as governments harness the power of advanced technologies such as real-time data collection, AI-driven analytics, and digital platforms. The result? A global push for transparency, faster enforcement, and an unprecedented level of regulatory complexity.
The stakes have never been higher. Falling behind in compliance means risking hefty fines, operational bottlenecks, and even reputational damage. But staying ahead is where businesses find their competitive edge.
The 2025 Tax Compliance Trends report is for the innovators and the forward-thinkers. It’s for those who see compliance as a strategic advantage, not just a legal obligation. Featuring expert insights from our tax and regulatory leaders, this guide compiles decades of experience into one blueprint for navigating the future of tax compliance.
Explore the most significant tax trends for compliance in 2025 and beyond, including:
What governments are doing to close tax gaps with real-time reporting and enhanced enforcement.
How new rules for digital assets and indirect taxes will affect businesses.
Why the Internal Revenue Service’s accelerated deadlines are forcing companies to scale faster than ever.
Strategies and technologies to transform compliance into a growth enabler.
Get the eBook
“It doesn’t matter if you are a Fortune 500 conglomerate or a small business. You have a set of obligations to meet, and compliance has become far too big and important to get wrong.”
– Eric Lefebvre, CTO
The Top Tax Compliance Trends for 2025
The Tax Compliance 2025: Top Trends eBook features insights from industry leaders and tax professionals with decades of experience in compliance, technology, and regulatory analysis. Each chapter is curated by a subject matter expert, offering valuable perspectives into the challenges and opportunities ahead.
I. The convergence of regulatory and technology
Steve Sprague – Chief Product and Strategy Officer
II. AI and its impact on tax and compliance
Eric Lefebvre – Chief Technology Officer
III. Trends in indirect tax digitization
Christiaan Van Der Valk – GM, Indirect Tax
IV. Removing barriers for international expansion
Alex Pavel – Managing Director, APAC
V. How are governments replacing tax revenue
Charles Maniace – VP, Regulatory Analysis and Design
VI. Trends to watch in tax information reporting and withholding
Wendy Walker – VP, Regulatory Affairs
VII. Unclaimed property enters the spotlight: Three key trends
Freda Pepper – General Counsel, Unclaimed Property
VIII. The modernization of the beverage alcohol shipping marke
Alex Koral – Regulatory General Counsel, Sovos ShipCompliant
Plus, discover the global regulatory mandates and tax laws shaping the business landscape.
Discover Romania’s recent SAF-T implementation and its complexities with E-Reporting, E-Invoicing, and E-Transport. Learn from established systems in Portugal, Denmark and Norway, and prepare for upcoming SAF-T rollouts in Bulgaria and Hungary, as well as new E-Invoicing mandates across the EU.
Join us for an in-depth webinar designed to help event organisers navigate the complexities of VAT compliance for international events. Discover essential steps for handling cross-border VAT, understand Place of Supply rules for physical and virtual events (including the new 2025 updates) and learn how to avoid common VAT risks.
Belgium e-invoicing
Belgium is gearing up to mandate e-invoicing for B2B transactions, having already introduced it for governmental transactions in 2024. It’s important to stay in the know with the country’s invoicing changes.
This page serves as your overview of Belgium electronic invoicing, providing the must-know information for tax compliance. Be sure to bookmark the page to be ahead of regulatory updates.
Belgium will implement an e-invoicing mandate for business-to-business transactions from 1 January 2026.
The model initially only involves buyers and sellers, not including any CTC (Continuous Transaction Controls) elements. This means that the country’s tax administration will not serve as a central platform or have access to invoice data in real or near real-time.
However, there are plans to transition to a 5-corner e-invoicing model by 2028, which will introduce a complementary invoice data reporting requirement and move towards CTC elements with near real-time reporting obligations.
Belgium has selected Peppol as the mandatory default transmission network for the B2B e-invoicing system. Although there is some flexibility and invoices may be issued in other EN 16931-compliant formats (subsidiary standard) if the recipient explicitly agrees, all businesses within the scope of the e-invoicing mandate will need to be able to connect to the Peppol network even if they intend to rely on the opt-out possibility.
This choice positions Belgium’s e-invoicing infrastructure as ‘future-proof,’ seamlessly aligning with upcoming national and European digital reporting obligations, including the EU’s ViDA Directive by 2030.
B2G e-invoicing in Belgium
Belgium requires the use of electronic invoices in government, mandating suppliers to public authorities to send invoices electronically. It introduced the mandate in 2024.
It began its B2G e-invoicing journey in 2017 when enforcing it regionally in Flanders; followed by mandates in Brussels in 2020 and Wallonia in 2022.
E-invoices in public procurement must meet the European Standard EN 16931, with the Mercurius platform serving as the nation’s hub for electronic invoicing—enabling both automated and manual invoice submission.
The use of Peppol in Belgium
Belgium has chosen Peppol as its default e-invoicing framework, standard and format.
Peppol was launched in 2008 in an effort to standardise public procurement in governments across the EU. It was formed as a framework that enables cross-border electronic procurement and invoices to be sent to customers.
It standardises how information is structured and exchanged to unify business throughout the European Union—and, today, beyond the EU. Malaysia and Singapore, for example, are two non-European countries that have embraced Peppol.
October 2021: Federal government reveals consideration towards gradually implementing B2B e-invoicing
9 March 2022: Royal Decree establishes requirements for e-invoicing in the public sector
March 2024: Companies that supply goods and/or services to government and public entities must issue electronic invoices
January 2024: The Finance and Budget committee approves the draft law on B2B e-invoicing, leaving only the Chamber of Representatives to approve its implementation
February 2024: Belgian parliament approves the implementation of a national B2B e-invoicing mandate
1 January 2026: Belgium’s B2B e-invoicing comes into effect, meaning every Belgian taxpayer must issue and receive e-invoices
2028: It is expected that Belgium will introduce a complementary reporting requirement alongside the existing B2B e-invoicing mandate, transitioning from a 4-corner to a 5-corner e-invoicing model. Integration of cash register, payment and e-invoicing systems is also expected
1 July 2030: Belgian 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
No, the Belgian tax authorities have clarified that sendingstructured electronic invoices for taxpayers not established in Belgium (i.e., without a permanent establishment) is not compulsory.
Peppol-BIS is the standard e-invoicing format in Belgium, but other formats can be used – as long as there is a mutual agreement between the parties and the format meets European Standard EN 16931.
However, all businesses within the scope of the e-invoicing mandate will need to be able to connect to the Peppol network even if they intend to rely on the opt-out possibility.
Setting up e-invoicing with Sovos
With Belgium mandating e-invoicing for B2G transactions and working towards the same for B2B, you must fulfil your obligations. This can be tough considering the evolving nature of these regulations and, for multinational organisations, the fact that every country is on its own unique e-invoicing journey.
Sovos can help, acting as your sole compliance partner for all tax matters everywhere you conduct business, including in Belgium. Let your compliance be our business so you can focus on growth.
Greece has been in the process of implementing mandatory B2G e-invoicing over the past few years, with a B2B e-invoicing mandate expected to follow.
Following reports that Greece had requested a derogation to introduce mandatory B2B e-invoicing in 2024, the European Commission has published a proposal for a Council Implementing Decision to grant this authorisation.
This proposal confirms the Commission’s unanimous support for Greece’s intention to introduce a country-wide B2B e-invoicing mandate. It will be submitted to the European Council as a formal step before becoming an official decision.
Taxpayers and transactions in scope
In July 2024, Greece requested authorisation from the European Commission to introduce mandatory B2B e-invoicing.
According to the Commission’s proposed decision, the obligation will cover transactions between taxable persons established in Greece (B2B transactions). As a result, taxpayers who are VAT-registered in Greece but not established in the country will be excluded from the mandatory scope.
E-invoicing and existing tax obligations in Greece
According to the Greek government’s request, mandatory e-invoicing will strengthen the existing myDATA e-accounting system which has been in place since 2018. The system requires taxpayers to transmit transactional and accounting data to the tax administration in real-time or periodically, updating a set of online ledgers maintained on the government portal.
myDATA will continue to exist, but the Greek government foresees its improvement once e-invoicing becomes mandatory. E-invoice data will directly feed into myDATA, providing real-time information and ensuring higher data quality.
Additionally, such data will be used to pre-fill VAT returns – a measure already in place in Greece – but which should be facilitated and improved with the advent of mandatory e-invoicing.
E-invoice format
Greece should allow the issuance of e-invoices compliant with the European standard (EN 16931) in order to foster interoperability. The Commission does not mention any other specific formats.
While taxpayers will be able to exchange e-invoices in line with the EU standard, they will only report to myDATA the information necessary for tax purposes – rather than the full invoice.
Taxpayers are expected to be able to issue e-invoices via an Electronic Invoicing Service Provider, upgraded management programs (commercial/accounting, ERP) or the “timologio” free government application. However, more details will be revealed after the derogation is granted and the Greek government publishes its mandatory e-invoicing framework.
ViDA implications
The European Commission’s explanations also conclude that the e-invoicing system Greece aims to implement is aligned with the VAT in the Digital Age (ViDA) proposal, which was recently approved by ECOFIN (Economic and Financial Affairs Council configuration of the Council of the European Union) and is expected to be officially adopted during 2025.
Seeking EU approval has become a common approach in the EU, as the current VAT Directive allows taxpayers to exchange invoices in any format, paper or electronic. It also mandates that the use of an electronic invoice is subject to the buyer’s acceptance.
Countries such as Italy, Poland and Romania, and others have already obtained authorisation to implement mandatory e-invoicing systems. However, this will change once ViDA is enforced, as EU Member States will no longer need to request such authorisation if they wish to introduce mandatory e-invoicing systems for domestic transactions.
What’s next for Greece B2B e-invoicing?
The Commission proposes to grant Greece the authorisation from 1 July 2025 until 30 June 2026, as derogations are temporary and must be renewed over time. The Decision will apply until its final date or until ViDA requires Member States to apply any national provisions transposing the Directive once ViDA is officially approved.
This is a proposed decision by the European Commission to allow Greece to introduce mandatory e-invoicing measures. It must follow to by the Council before it becomes official and can produce legal effects. This is a procedural step and, based on the experience of other countries, is not expected to pose an obstacle to Greece’s receipt of the derogation.
For many U.S.-based companies, the first step in global expansion is selling into Canada, especially for eCommerce sellers and marketplaces.
However, to ensure a smooth and compliant expansion, it’s crucial to understand Canada’s unique “sales tax” system. This is a must-attend webinar for anyone doing business in Canada, or planning to expand operations to the Canadian territories.
This webinar will provide five key trends in Indirect Tax Digitization and provide valuable insights into how businesses can craft a long-term strategy to tackle these challenges. In the session, he will also detail how to maintain compliance in an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
In the first blog in our series, we introduced SAP Clean Core concept and how much is being made about its impact on business, specifically the ability to customize an ERP to meet operational needs.
In part two, we addressed how businesses can use the SAP Clean Core principles to create a system that better supports their business objectives and positively impacts their tax and compliance management.
For our third installment in this series, I’d like to spend time talking about your business’ path to Clean Core and what that means for your tax and compliance programs and initiatives.
As outlined in our first two posts, aligning with Clean Core holds a number of significant advantages for companies including making them more nimble, efficient and cost efficient. It is a move I would encourage any business using SAP to consider sooner than later.
Readying for the Project
With any large-scale update, migration or platform change, getting your business ready for Clean Core is a process that takes advanced planning, a sound strategy and buy in from the highest levels of the organization to execute effectively.
In assessing your business’ readiness to adapt to Clean Core, it is important to understand both the short and long-term goals of the project and outline the specific actions that you will need to take to get there. My recommendation is to determine what your ultimate goal is, and then work backwards from there. This will help to ensure that no important steps are missed in the planning process.
With a project of this size and scope, it’s also critical to detail which parts of the project will be assigned to which departments and determine a method of oversight to ensure that all areas of the business are making progress and on track to meet associated deadlines.
When you are dealing with large, multi-faceted organizations, it is not uncommon for departments to move at different paces. This is where having executive buy-in becomes critical as it ensures that the project remains an organizational priority.
Outlining your Change Management Strategy
No two organizations are exactly the same in terms of their makeup and infrastructure. Therefore, you will need to conduct a self-assessment of where you are before you can determine which transformation trajectory makes the most sense for your business.
It is important to realize that an ERP transformation journey is a commitment that will require change. Assessing your organization’s appetite for change and the pace at which these changes can be implemented are critical success factors.
For organizations with the ability and desire to move faster, they will accelerate their time to modernization and be in a position to reap the benefits more quickly. However, I will caution that moving faster than your organization can realistically support can have serious consequences as well, which makes your initial assessment such an important part of your transformation journey.
The Impact on Tax and Compliance
Embracing the tenets of Clean Core can ensure that critical Tax and Compliance functions and decisions are no longer driven by complex and often difficult to maintain customizations within core ERP functions. Moving to an infrastructure with reduced complexity will enable your organization to more easily integrate specific tax solutions that are automated and maintained by third parties. This is an issue of great importance as governments and tax authorities around the world embark on their own technology journey and implement systems that are far more complex than previous generations.
Many countries have moved towards the complete digitization of tax compliance which requires real-time transactional data and complete transparency into your end-to-end transaction processes. Meeting these requirements can be the determining factor in your ability to conduct business within certain regions. Aligning with Clean Core is an important step in enabling your technology to react to changing regulatory conditions faster and more efficiently.
Concluding Thoughts
This type of transformation project should always be supported by and aligned with a solid business strategy. Having a set criterion of what you are trying to achieve and how you will measure effectiveness should be established up front. And global tax compliance should be a foundational element of any transformation event.
Tax and compliance are a great place to start your journey to begin unlocking the full power of aligning Clean Core principles with best-in-class tax solutions.
New Zealand began its e-invoicing journey in 2018 through a joint venture with Australia. While it’s far behind many other countries in adopting electronic invoicing, there are rules and requirements taxpayers must be aware of.
Be sure to bookmark this page to stay on top of future developments.
Currently, only central government agencies in New Zealand are required to be able to receive electronic invoices. This has been enforced since 1 March 2022.
There are no published plans to make e-invoicing obligatory for either B2B or B2G transactions, though—alongside Australia—New Zealand is actively promoting the adoption of e-invoicing. This may eventually lead to a mandate.
By July 2026 the government aims to receive e-invoices for 90% of B2G transactions.
Electronic invoices must be securely archived for at least seven years and formatted according to the PINT A-NZ specification.
Format of electronic invoices in New Zealand
Up until 15 November 2024, New Zealand utilised the A-NZ Peppol BIS 3.0 specification for e-invoices – a specification that was in place since 2018. Now though, it uses PINT A-NZ – a specification mandated by both Australia and New Zealand.
The main changes included:
New identifier values
Refined business rules
Clear publication of the specification
Ensure your e-invoices meet the latest standards – read the full A-NZ PINT guidelines.
Timeline of e-invoicing adoption in New Zealand
While New Zealand started working with Australia on its e-invoicing approach in 2018, it established its own Peppol Authority.
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is the Peppol Authority in New Zealand. The MBIE is the nation’s economic development agency.
New Zealand utilises Peppol’s framework to enable electronic invoicing throughout the country. This includes adopting a four-corner model, abiding by transport infrastructure agreements (TIA) and using Peppol’s document specifications.
Discover how to implement Peppol e-invoicing in your business.
E-invoicing, short for electronic invoicing, is the exchange of transaction data between electronic accounting systems. New Zealand has been developing its e-invoicing rules and regulations since 2018.
As e-invoicing is not mandated in New Zealand, there are no penalties. That said, central government agencies must be able to receive electronic invoices.
Peppol e-invoicing in New Zealand
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is the Peppol Authority in New Zealand. The MBIE is the nation’s economic development agency.
New Zealand utilises Peppol’s framework to enable electronic invoicing throughout the country. This includes adopting a four-corner model, abiding by transport infrastructure agreements (TIA) and using Peppol’s document specifications.
Discover how to implement Peppol e-invoicing in your business.
As organizations navigate through SAP transformation projects, e-invoicing compliance integration presents critical challenges, as well as opportunities. As global regulations evolve as well as the complexity of managing e-invoicing workflows across diverse systems increases, businesses need a strategic approach to ensure compliance, efficiency, and value realization.
