Value Added Tax (VAT) is a significant source of revenue for the Indonesian government. It applies to most goods and services at different rates. Generally, in Indonesia, the imposition of VAT takes two forms: the input-output mechanism and the VAT collector mechanism.
Under the input-output mechanism, the supplier charges VAT to the buyer and then pays it to the tax authorities. In the VAT collector mechanism, the seller does not collect VAT. Instead, specific entities appointed by law collect VAT and remit it directly to the tax authorities.
This page provides an overview of VAT compliance requirements in Indonesia. Be sure to bookmark the page and revisit it whenever you have a question.
Due monthly, by the end of the month immediately following the taxable period 10th day of the month following the end of the tax period
VAT rates
11% (standard) 12% (luxury goods and services)
VAT rules in Indonesia
E-invoicing in Indonesia
In addition to general VAT compliance, Indonesia also has an e-invoicing mandate for almost all taxpayers.
Mandatory for VAT-registered taxpayers since 2016, Indonesia’s electronic invoicing requirements includes using a national system known as e-Faktur and largely involves issuing e-invoices for:
Businesses must register for VAT if their annual turnover exceeds a specified threshold:
Threshold: Business entities with an annual turnover of IDR 4.8 billion [approx. EUR 263 472.00] or more must register for VAT. This turnover includes all supplies of taxable goods or taxable services.
Process: Registration must be completed through the Directorate General of Taxes (DGT).
Small businesses whose annual turnover is below the specified threshold are not required to be registered for VAT. However, VAT registration is voluntary.
Penalties for non-compliance with VAT in Indonesia
Failing to comply with VAT regulations can result in administrative penalties being imposed. Criminal penalties may be imposed when businesses are late issuing tax invoices and filing VAT returns. Furthermore, penalties are also levied for failure to register for VAT on time.
Late filing of VAT returns can incur a penalty of 2% of the VAT owed per month
Late payments are subject to a 2% interest per month on the outstanding VAT amount
Late registration for VAT can result in a fine of IDR 1,000,000 (approx. EUR 55.04) being imposed
Criminal offences, including imprisonment, may be imposed for violating VAT regulations
The standard VAT rate in Indonesia is 11%, applying to most goods and services. However, since 1 January 2025 there has been a 12% VAT rate on luxury goods and services like private jets, cruise ships and luxurious houses.
Generally, the VAT rate on goods and services in Indonesia is 11%. There is, however, exceptions to this – exports of taxable goods, services and intangible goods are zero-rated.
Non-residents can recover VAT in Indonesia – depending on their status. Tourists can claim VAT refunds on eligible goods purchased from participating retailers under the “Tax Refund for Tourists” scheme. To qualify, they must hold a foreign passport and stay in Indonesia for no more than 60 days from their entry date.
Non-resident companies conducting business in Indonesia may be eligible to recover VAT, provided they are registered for VAT in Indonesia and comply with local tax filing requirements.
Non-resident companies must appoint a fiscal representative in Indonesia to comply with local tax obligations, particularly for VAT purposes. This requirement applies to foreign businesses without a physical presence in Indonesia that engage in taxable activities within the country.
To claim a VAT refund in Indonesia, you must purchase goods from shops displaying the “Tax Refund for Tourists” logo by presenting your passport. You need a valid tax invoice (with a payment receipt) for each transaction. The minimum VAT per transaction is IDR 50,000, and the total VAT from all receipts must be at least IDR 500,000.
Purchases must be made within one month before departure, and goods must be carried out of Indonesia as accompanied baggage within 30 days of purchase.
Non-resident companies conducting taxable activities in Indonesia may be eligible to reclaim VAT subject to fulfilling the VAT registration and filing requirements.
Solutions for VAT compliance in Indonesia
Complying with Indonesia’s VAT requirements becomes significantly burdensome on resources when you also operate in other countries. Each nation has its own VAT nuances, and requirements change over time.
That’s why it’s vital that you have a single compliance partner for wherever you do business. Sovos makes compliance simple, handling your tax needs so you can focus on your organisation.
Complete the form below to speak with one of our experts
Russia regulates electronic invoicing nationwide, but its usage remains mainly optional. Only transactions involving certain traceable goods require buyers to issue e-invoices.
Russia has a specific approach to e-invoicing, and this page provides an overview. Bookmark it to keep track of any updates.
While electronic invoicing for business-to-business transactions remains predominantly voluntary in Russia, resolution No. 807 dated 25 June 2019 states that specific categories of goods mandatorily require electronic invoices under the national traceability system.
The following product categories fall under Russia’s mandatory e-invoicing requirements:
Refrigeration and freezing equipment
Industrial trucks (including forklift trucks, bulldozers, graders, planners, power shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, tampers, and road rollers)
Washing and drying machines (for household and commercial applications)
Monitors and projectors (excluding television reception equipment)
Electronic integrated circuits and components
Baby strollers and child safety seats
This regulatory requirement, in effect since 1 July 2021, applies to all legal entities and individual businesses engaged in transactions involving these goods. Recipients of these products must maintain capabilities for accepting and processing electronic invoices.
B2G e-invoicing in Russia
No comprehensive mandate exists for electronic invoicing in Russia for business-to-government transactions. However, electronic invoices are widely utilised voluntarily throughout the public procurement ecosystem.
As with B2B transactions, mandatory e-invoicing applies exclusively to transactions involving traceable goods under Russia’s national goods traceability system. This regulatory framework was implemented in 2021 to enhance monitoring of trade activities within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
Timeline of e-invoicing adoption in Russia
Here are the key dates in Russia’s e-invoicing journey.
2012: Introduction of voluntary e-invoice exchange between businesses
2017: Introduction of mandatory e-invoice government clearing
1 July 2021: Implementation of mandatory e-invoicing for traceable goods
January 2024: Retention of invoices and accounting documents increased from four to five years under Order No. 236 of 2019
Russian E-Invoice Clearance
Incorporating a system of electronic invoicing, Russia introduced mandatory e-invoice government clearing in 2017 for the mandated issuance of traceable goods as well as for any voluntarily issued e-invoices. This required the production of invoices in XML as a UTD (Universal Transfer Document) format established by the Federal Tax Service.
Key components of the Russian e-invoicing system include:
42 certified Russian software providers that support electronic invoice submission with digital signatures
Electronic Document Exchange (EDE) networks that ensure secure invoice transmission
Regulatory oversight that enables Russian tax authorities to detect errors or fraud swiftly
Mandatory e-invoice retention period of five years
Specific format requirements for standardised information exchange
Characteristics of e-invoices in Russia
Russian e-invoicing compliance requires adherence to specific technical standards:
E-invoices must be generated from XML files with tags in the Russian language
Documents must be formatted according to the UTD (Universal Transfer Document) standard set by the Federal Tax Service
All invoices must be authenticated with qualified electronic signatures
Signature certificates must be issued by authorised Russian certification authorities (CAs)
Digital signatures can be prepared and stamped by certified e-invoice agents
All e-invoices must be securely archived for a minimum retention period of five years
Transmission must occur through approved Electronic Document Exchange networks
Russia only mandates the issuance of electronic invoices for select goods that fall under the country’s traceability requirements. The applicable goods include:
Refrigeration and freezing equipment
Industrial trucks (forklift trucks, bulldozers, graders, planners, power shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, tampers, in addition to road rollers)
Washing and drying machines (household and laundry facilities)
Monitors and projectors (excluding receiving television equipment)
The mandatory retention period for e-invoices in Russia is five years, which aligns with the statute of limitations for tax audits under Russian law.
Organisations must implement compliant archiving solutions that maintain document integrity while ensuring accessibility for potential tax authority inspections throughout the five-year period.
Electronic Document Exchange (EDE) networks in Russia are secure, certified infrastructure systems that facilitate the transmission of electronic documents, including e-invoices, between businesses and regulatory authorities.
Only authorised EDE operators meeting strict technical and security requirements can provide these services in Russia. The 41 certified Russian software providers typically offer access to these networks as part of their e-invoicing solutions, creating a controlled ecosystem for electronic document exchange that maintains security while enabling efficient business operations.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plans to introduce electronic invoicing requirements in 2026. The country’s project, known as the E-Billing System, includes plans to regulate both B2B and B2G transactions.
While the system has yet to be implemented, taxpayers should prepare for it so they can be compliant from day one. This page has the information you need to get started.
Compliance requirements for e-invoicing in the UAE
While no e-invoicing mandate currently exists in the United Arab Emirates, it does already permit the electronic exchange of business documents—so long as the medium and format are agreed upon by both the buyer and seller. To ensure the document’s authenticity and integrity, it must be stored in the same format in which the buyer issued it and signed with an e-signature.
Once a mandate is in place, taxpayers in the UAE will have to issue and receive electronic invoices through an Accredited Service Provider (ASP). According to the announced plan, only ASPs will be allowed to connect with the Tax Authority Platform to submit e-invoice data. Therefore, taxpayers will need to enter a commercial agreement with an ASP and integrate systems to allow for document transmission.
Electronic invoices will need to be sent in XML format, and the ASP will also share the invoice data with the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).
Timeline of e-invoicing adoption in the UAE
Here are the key dates in the United Arab Emirates’ e-invoicing journey so far:
11 July 2023: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) reveals five major digital transformation projects, including plans for an e-invoicing initiative known as the E-Billing System
14 February 2024: The Ministry of Finance (MoF) reveals plans for its E-Billing System
2 October 2024: MoF launches e-invoicing portal to provide information on upcoming requirements for businesses
30 October 2024: The UAE Official Gazette includes amendments to the national VAT law, driven by the upcoming e-invoice mandate in the country, which introduces e-invoicing considerations to the VAT law.
6 February 2025: MoF launches a public consultation on e-invoicing to gather feedback on proposed e-invoicing data requirements
The timeline announced for the roll-out of the UAE e-invoicing mandate is:
Q4 2024: Requirements and procedures for service providers to be developed
Q2 2025: E-invoicing legislation to be published
Q2 2026: The first phase of B2B and B2G requirements begins
Peppol e-invoicing in the UAE
The UAE’s Ministry of Finance has highlighted Peppol as a pillar of its e-invoicing framework.
Peppol is an international, EU-born protocol and framework that aids in simplifying cross-border and governmental trade. While its adoption is widespread across Europe, it is also standardising trading in countries such as Australia and Singapore.
The United Arab Emirates plans to implement a Five Corner Model for its Peppol implementation, and the nation’s Federal Tax Authority (FTA) will serve as a Peppol Access Point to enable taxpayers to exchange electronic invoices.
There are currently no strict requirements for electronic invoicing in the United Arab Emirates. Businesses can voluntarily send and receive e-invoices should both the buyer and seller agree on the medium and format.
The Electronic Transactions and Trust Services law in the United Arab Emirates was devised to regulate the validity of electronic documents. The law boosts the legal weight of digital signatures and has provisions for how electronic documents are sent, saved and stored.
The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Finance plans to publish the regulatory framework for the new e-invoicing system in Q2 2025. The first phase of mandating electronic invoicing for B2B and B2G transactions will start in Q2 2026.
While electronic invoicing is not mandated yet on any level in Singapore, the country’s tax authority is working on implementing a continuous transaction control (CTC) reporting model.
Singapore’s push towards digitalization was evidenced by the launch of its e-invoicing standard framework in 2018. Singapore was the first country outside Europe to adopt PEPPOL. The PEPPOL Business Interoperability Specifications (BIS) for e-invoicing and the PEPPOL eDelivery Network have been live since 2019.
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has announced the implementation of a phased adoption of InvoiceNow, the national e-invoicing framework based on the PEPPOL network, for invoicing data transmission. It will start voluntarily for GST-registered businesses in May 2025. The mandate will only cover B2B transactions; the government is expected to make B2G mandatory in the coming years.
Bookmark this page and revisit it often to stay on top of upcoming obligations.
Format Currently both Singapore BIS Billing 3.0 (PEPPOL) and Singapore (SG) PEPPOL PINT are allowed; PEPPOL PINT will be used exclusively from 2025.
eSignature Requirement Ensuring integrity and authenticity is required, an e-signature is one method of assurance.
Archiving Requirement Five years
Singapore B2G e-invoicing
Network InvoiceNow.
Format Currently both Singapore BIS Billing 3.0 (PEPPOL) and Singapore (SG) PEPPOL PINT are allowed; PEPPOL PINT will be used exclusively from 2025.
eSignature Requirement Ensuring integrity and authenticity is required, an e-signature is one method of assurance.
Archiving Requirement Five years.
E-invoicing in Singapore: Requirements and regulations
Currently, there is no mandate for using e-invoices in Singapore. However, taxpayers can connect to the PEPPOL network to send and receive e-invoices. Singapore’s IMDA is a PEPPOL authority and, as such, those who choose to send invoices electronically through the InvoiceNow network must meet the format requirements:
Singapore BIS Billing 3.0 (PEPPOL) or Singapore (SG) PEPPOL PINT, though the latter will become the only applicable format from 2025.
E-reporting in Singapore: Requirements and regulations
Singapore is implementing a CTC reporting mandate, utilizing the nation’s InvoiceNow PEPPOL framework. The implementation of this mandate sees a move away from a PEPPOL 4 corner model, instead adopting a PEPPOL 5 corner model with taxpayers transmitting invoice data to the IRAS, the nation’s tax authority.
Invoice data from both sales and purchases needs to be reported to the tax authority. Reporting requirements for “PEPPOL e-invoices” is real-time. For invoices issued outside InvoiceNow (“solution extracted invoices”), reporting is within a specific deadline with weekly submission recommended, no later than the return due date.
Accredited Access Points (AP) are the only parties allowed to submit invoice data to IRAS using C5 API – Sovos is an accredited AP in Singapore.
The implementation of this e-reporting obligation is included in the implementation timeline below.
Singapore’s E-invoicing and E-reporting Implementation timeline
Digitalization is on a storied journey towards implementation in Singapore. Here are the important dates:
May 2018: Singapore’s IMDA became the first PEPPOL Authority outside of Europe
January 2019: The nation’s e-invoicing network, later named InvoiceNow, launched
March 2020: Singapore launches Registration Grant to incentivise businesses to join the network
1 May 2025: B2B e-reporting is implemented for voluntary early adoption by GST-registered businesses
1 November 2025: B2B e-reporting is implemented for newly incorporated companies that register for GST voluntarily
PEPPOL in Singapore
Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) became the first PEPPOL Authority outside of Europe in May 2018. Later, it launched its e-invoicing network with an initial 11 Access Point providers.
The network is established on the PEPPOL framework, helping businesses exchange documents electronically. As a PEPPOL Authority, IMDA can:
Approve and certify PEPPOL Access Point providers in Singapore
Accredit PEPPOL-ready solution providers in Singapore
Govern the compliance of businesses to the PEPPOL framework
Specify country-specific rules and technical standards under the PEPPOL framework – namely SG PEPPOL BIS and SG PEPPOL PINT format
While Singapore encourages businesses to issue and receive invoices electronically through its InvoiceNow system, it has not yet mandated e-invoicing between businesses. The mandatory e-reporting using InvoiceNow will start from 1 November 2025 for newly incorporated companies that register for GST voluntarily.
InvoiceNow is a nationwide e-invoicing initiative by The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) that helps SMEs and large enterprises streamline invoicing. The aim is to provide a faster and more sustainable way to transact, nationwide and worldwide.
PEPPOL is a standard for sending electronic invoices to public sector clients (in other words, for B2G transactions) throughout the EU – and beyond. Singapore was the first PEPPOL-approved authority outside of Europe.
Turkey was an early adopter of electronic invoicing when considering the global landscape of tax digitization. As part of its larger e-Transformation initiative, the country mandated e-invoicing in 2014.
Understanding the complexities of Turkey e-invoicing and its other electronic systems can be challenging, however, and that’s why this page exists. Be sure to avoid penalties for non-compliance by exploring this mandate overview – and bookmark the page to ensure you are always on top of any regulatory changes.
Want to speak to a tax expert? Get in touch with our compliance team.
Fiscal stamp or qualified electronic signature required
Archiving Requirement
10 years
Turkey B2G e-invoicing
CTC Type
E-invoice clearance with two-way application
Network
GIB portal
Format
UBL-TR 1.2
eSignature Requirement
Fiscal stamp or qualified electronic signature required
Archiving Requirement
10 years
Who needs e-invoicing in Turkey?
The scope that mandates e-invoicing usage in Turkey has evolved over time. Considering the cost of non-compliance, it is important to know if you fall under the requirements of the regulation.
Companies with turnovers exceeding TRY 3 million are required to use electronic invoices, though there are also sector-based parameters for the mandate that ignore the turnover threshold. This turnover exception includes:
Companies licensed by the Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority
Middlemen or merchants that trade fruits or vegetables
Online service providers that facilitate online trade
Importers and dealers
How to issue an e-invoice?
Before getting started with issuing and receiving electronic invoices in Turkey, taxpayers are required to register on the tax authority’s GIB portal. They need their Vergi Kimlik Numarasi – a 10-digit tax identification number – for a successful registration.
Once registered, taxpayers have a few options for issuing electronic invoices. They can either use the GIB portal, integrate the portal with their own internal applications or use a vendor like Sovos (which has its own Turkey e-invoice solution).
What are the benefits of e-invoicing in Turkey?
Besides the fact that e-invoicing is mandatory for many businesses and all public administrations in Turkey, there are several benefits of invoicing electronically.
Cost-saving: Reducing paper, postage and manual labour saves money
Time-saving: Using structured, automated electronic systems and processes saves time
Compatibility: The universal format of e-invoices and systems increases interoperability
Security: The automation, validation and authentication of e-invoices maintain integrity
Legal requirements for an e-invoice in Turkey
The e-invoice mandate in Turkey requires taxpayers to include specific information on electronic invoices. These requirements include:
Invoice date
Invoice reference number
Description and specification of goods and services delivered
Total net amount and gross amount for the order
Supplier details (name, address, tax ID, etc)
E-invoices are required to be secured with an eSignature. Individuals must use a Qualified Electronic Signature (QES), a more secure version of an electronic signature.
From September 2023, it will also be mandatory to include a QR code on electronic invoices (as well as other electronic document types).
E-invoicing software
E-invoicing software allows you to create and send electronic invoices online. Solutions need to meet the specifications set forth by the Turkish Revenue Authority, either integrating into your existing system or serving as a cloud platform.
Sovos’ e-invoice compliance solution allows customers to meet their compliance requirements, both in Turkey and globally. If you are part of an international organisation, our platform allows you to stay compliant wherever you do business.
The future of e-invoicing
Turkey is well ahead of most when it comes to the digitization of its tax system. This includes utilising electronic invoices, with the country mandating the use of e-invoices for specific companies on 1 April 2014. Find out more about Turkey’s e-Transformation.
That said, tax digitization is still developing globally. In the EU, the VAT in the Digital Age initiative aims to digitize tax across the region. If passed, this proposal could produce major changes to how businesses operate across the European Union – including using e-invoices and digital reporting.
The rapid yet fragmented digitization of tax worldwide only increases the importance of working with a global compliance partner like Sovos. It’s vital to take a long-term view when dealing with compliance.
Additional obligations for VAT compliance in Turkey
Turkey has a vast digital tax system comprised of many electronic systems and documents. It stepped up its tax system in 2012 with its e-Transformation initiative and produced a host of potential compliance requirements for taxpayers.
As well as e-invoicing, there are other related requirements organisations must be aware of. These include:
Turkey e-invoicing is a mandate that requires certain taxpayers to issue and receive invoices electronically. According to the TRA’s regulations, taxpayers with annual revenue of over 3 million TL must register in the e-invoicing system.
Within the scope of the communiqué published by the Revenue Administration; as of July 1, 2022
Taxpayers with a turnover of 5 million TL for the 2018, 2019 and 2020 accounting periods, 4 million TL for the 2021 accounting period and 3 million TL or more for the 2022 and subsequent accounting periods,
Service providers who have a gross sales revenue of 1 Million TL for 2020 or 2021 account periods, 500 thousand TL or more for 2022 and subsequent account periods;
Service providers who provide electronic commerce environment for the execution of commercial activities on the internet to mediate the purchase, sale, rental or distribution of goods or services,
Owners or operators of websites that publish advertisements related to the sale or rental of real estate, motor vehicle vehicles belonging to real and legal persons on the internet, and internet advertising service agents who are engaged in mediating the publication of advertisements on the internet,
Those who have a gross sales revenue of 1 Million TL for the 2020 or 2021 account periods, 500 thousand TL or more for the 2022 and subsequent accounting periods;
Those who sell goods or services on their own or their intermediary service providers’ websites or any other electronic environment,
Taxpayers who have a gross sales revenue of 1 Million TL for the 2020 or 2021 accounting periods, 500 thousand TL or more for the 2022 and subsequent accounting periods
Those who make real estate and/or motor vehicle, construction, manufacturing, purchase, sale or rental transactions and taxpayers who are in mediatory activities for these transactions,
Hotel businesses that provide accommodation services by obtaining investment and/or operating certificates from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and municipalities, which have a gross sales revenue of 1 million TL for 2020 or 2021 accounting periods, 500,000 TL or more for 2022 and subsequent accounting periods, must switch to e-invoice.
Also:
EMRA licensed taxpayers in the list numbered ÖTV I (Special Consumption Tax),
Taxpayers who manufacture, build, and import the goods in the list numbered ÖTV III,
Taxpayers who trade fruits and vegetables as brokers or traders,
Health service providers who have signed a contract with the Social Security Institution and all taxpayers who supply medical materials and drugs/active substances (hospitals, medical centers, branch centers, dialysis centers, other specialized treatment centers licensed from the Ministry of Health, diagnosis, examination and imaging centers, laboratories, pharmacies, medical device and material suppliers, optician institutions, hearing center, spas, private law legal entities that offer and/or produce human medical products/products and their branches that do not have legal personality, pharmaceutical warehouses, etc.) also have to use e-Invoice.
The cancellation and return process of an e-invoice is the same as the paper invoices when viewed technically. However, in practice, some processes vary.
Find out more about cancelling and refunding electronic invoices in Turkey.
After switching to the e-invoice application, you cannot issue a paper invoice for e-invoice users. After switching to the e-invoice system, the option period granted to you is limited to seven days. During this time, you can continue to issue paper invoices.
Failure to comply with Turkey’s e-invoicing mandate may result in a financial penalty which equates to 10% of the value of the missed electronic invoice(s) in question. The maximum amount a taxpayer can be penalised in a year changes annually. Currently, the maximum is TRY 1,700,000.
Direct Integration: Businesses can prepare their own computing infrastructures within the framework of the infrastructure and quality certifications specified by the Revenue Administration Department with technical guidelines. They can carry out their processes with their own infrastructures that work integrated with the GIB.
GİB Portal: The application can be used by entering invoices through the Revenue Administration Portal served by the Revenue Administration.
Special Integratorship: Companies such as Sovos, which have received a special integrator permission from the Revenue Administration, can be easily started by quickly switching to the e-Invoice application.
It is very easy to use e-invoices with Sovos. If taxpayers who will electronically invoice with the special integrator method prefer the Sovos solution, they are given all kinds of support for an easy transition to e-invoice.
Unlike the GİB Portal method, there is no additional process required for e-invoice backup and storage with Sovos. If taxpayers who use e-invoice with the private integrator method prefer the Sovos solution, all incoming and outgoing invoices are stored securely in our developed infrastructure without paying an additional fee. (This retention is provided retrospectively for 10 years during the period of being a Sovos customer.)
Being obliged to use the e-invoice application within the framework of the conditions determined by the Revenue Administration is a term used for taxpayers. The regulations made regarding these conditions and limitations are announced by the notifications published by the GIB at regular intervals. In this context, many companies become e-invoice taxpayers within the scope of these requirements.
After switching to the e-Invoice application, you cannot issue a paper invoice for e-invoice users. After switching to the system, you are granted an option period of seven days. During this time, you can continue to issue paper invoices.
Since e-invoices are subject to the same provisions as paper invoices, the provision valid for paper invoices in Article 231 of Tax Procedure Law (VUK) No. 213 also applies to e-invoices. Accordingly, the issuance period for e-invoices is determined as seven days. According to the article, e-invoices must be created on the system and forwarded to the recipient within seven days.
Companies using SAP can benefit from Sovos’ SAP Packages for an end-to-end e-Transformation solution and start using the product without additional integration. Companies that use other ERP/Accounting Software can use their products without additional integration with the Sovos ERP Adapter solution. In integration situations where the Sovos Adapter is not covered, companies can use the Sovos API Documents to integrate with the Sovos APIs. They can access and start integration via https://api.fitbulut.com/servis/#/eInvoice.
The management of e-invoices that come with the Sovos solution is in your hands. Thanks to our user-friendly interface, you can easily access the invoice you want and archive the invoices you make transactions with in a few clicks. In addition, by providing increased control over certain invoices with the colour, display and business rules you will determine on the invoices; you can facilitate the invoice management processes of your users.
E-invoices are issued and received only between taxpayers who fall under e-invoicing obligations. The recipient and the sender must be registered in the GİB e-invoice application.
You can check whether your customer is registered on the electronic invoice from the e-Invoice-registered users list of the Revenue Administration. As another method, a query is made with VKN/TCKN from the e-invoice-registered user inquiry screens from the portal.
According to the Tax Procedure Law, the invoice must be issued within seven days from the date of service or delivery of the goods. It is possible to retroactively issue e-invoices if the seven-day period rule is followed. Technically, the portal has no restrictions.
No changes can be made to the e-invoice sent. In this case, a new electronic invoice is created upon the rejection of the invoice from the other side. Cancellation and refund transactions vary in basic e-invoicing and commercial e-invoicing scenarios.
How to be compliant with Sovos
Sovos has software that was built specifically to help customers meet their e-invoicing obligations in Turkey. Whether you integrate it into your system or use our cloud platform, it speeds up processes and provides immediate clarity for the status of your invoices.
As well as your organisation’s need to meet requirements in Turkey, the global tax digitization continues. If you operate internationally or plan to do so in the future, it’s becoming increasingly important to choose a compliance partner that monitors regulatory changes around the world. This is where Sovos steps in.
Organisations of all shapes and sizes trust Sovos with tax – including e-invoicing compliance – allowing them to focus more time and energy on their core business.
Get in touch with us
Related resources
Stay on top of the tax transformation with these resources.
Changes to Malaysia’s CTC E-invoice Reporting Mandate Announced
On 9 February 2024, the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) published long-awaited updates on the upcoming continuous transaction controls (CTC) reform. More specifically, the IRBM has released its Software Development Kit (SDK), along with new versions of the e-invoicing and e-invoicing specific guidelines containing significant changes to the CTC mandate beginning in August 2024.
Updates to CTC e-invoice reporting mandate
The new versions of the e-invoicing documentation define the scope of sectors and transactions subject to mandatory e-invoicing and clearance through the IRBM platform, MyInvois.
Sectors in scope are:
Automotive
Aviation
Luxury goods and jewellery
Construction
Licensed betting and gaming
Payments to agents, dealers and distributors
Transactions with individual buyers (B2C) fall outside of the e-invoicing mandate scope. Any e-invoices for transactions not in scope are subject to the buyer’s request.
Consolidated e-invoice requirement
In cases where the buyer does not request an e-invoice, suppliers can continue to issue an invoice or receipt as they do today. Initially, this exception was only foreseen for B2C transactions, but has now been extended to all transactions besides the ones included in the mandatory e-invoice scope.
However, suppliers will be subject to an invoice data reporting obligation and will be required to issue a monthly consolidated e-invoice (within 7 days of the month end) aggregating all invoices and receipts issued during the period.
Foreign parties are not mandated to implement Malaysia’s CTC system but Malaysian buyers must issue a self-billed e-invoice to document the expense. This should be in the same structured XML or JSON format and submitted to the MyInvois platform, similar to a reporting obligation for cross-border transactions.
Rejections and cancellations
The Malaysian CTC system will allow buyers to reject incoming invoices in their e-invoicing flows, as well as allowing suppliers to issue cancellations. These requests are subject to a 72 hour time limit, after that the invoice is considered issued and any correction or amendment will need to be through credit, debit or refund notes.
According to the IRBM, these functionalities were added solely for the convenience of the parties. Corrections can still be done through credit, debit or refund invoices if the supplier prefers.
Additionally, the new documentation has also clarified and explained how self-billing should be handled under the CTC e-invoice reporting mandate scope, as well as specific transactions such as reimbursements, employment benefits, profit distributions, foreign income and e-commerce transactions.
Timeline Changes Proposed for E-Invoicing in Malaysia
The Malaysian 2024 Budget law, which is currently pending parliamentary approval, introduces changes to the implementation timeline of mandatory e-invoicing in the country.
According to the new budget law, implementation of electronic invoicing will be delayed and start for taxpayers with an annual turnover of revenue of more than RM100 million (appx. 20 million euros) on 1 August 2024 – instead of the original planned date of June 2024.
August 2024: Taxpayers with an annual turnover or revenue of more than RM100 million
January 2025: Taxpayers with an annual turnover or revenue between RM25 million and RM100 million
July 2025: All taxpayers
This proposal offers more time for taxpayers to prepare for the new e-invoicing mandate, although these postponements are not significant. Taxpayers in the first implementation group should start preparing imminently for the new e-invoicing system in order to comply by August 2024.
Currently, the IRBM is set to release a software development kit including the relevant technical documentation by the end of 2023.
In October 2022, the Malaysian Ministry of Finance announced in its state budget plans to launch a pilot e-invoicing program in 2023 – starting with selected taxpayers.
The budget statement views e-invoices as the main strategy to improve the country’s tax revenue and digital services infrastructure. The Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (IRBM) and the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) have been working on the e-invoicing project to meet this goal. They have organised engagement sessions with stakeholders to share details regarding the project.
Following the engagement sessions, the IRBM has published a guideline regarding the implementation details of the upcoming e-invoicing system. The Malaysian e-invoicing system will be a CTC clearance model scheduled to begin in June 2024, with approximately 4,000 companies exceeding the determined threshold.
The new e-invoicing system, called MyInvois, will require all taxpayers engaged in commercial activities to issue invoices electronically in Malaysia. This applies to all individuals and organisations including, but not limited to, associations, corporations and limited liability partnerships.
The transactional scope of the requirements covers all B2B, B2G and B2C transactions – both domestic and cross-border.
The following will be subject to e-invoicing:
Invoices
Credit notes
Debit notes
Refund invoices
A separate guideline will provide further details on the treatment of cross-border transactions.
B2B and B2G e-invoicing will follow a similar workflow, as described below.
For B2C transactions where end consumers do not request e-invoices, suppliers will be allowed to issue receipts or invoices as per the current practices. However, taxpayers must aggregate the receipts or invoices issued to consumers and report them through the e-invoicing system within a set timeframe.
How will businesses issue e-invoices?
To generate e-invoices, taxpayers must use the MyInvois platform through the free solution provided by IRBM or via APIs. The authentication with the platform is based on digital certificates issued by IRBM.
Taxpayers must create and submit their e-invoices in either XML or JSON format to the MyInvois platform. After successful submission, the platform performs schema checks and assigns a unique ID to each e-invoice.
It’s important to understand that the exchange of e-invoices will not be handled by the MyInvois platform. Instead, suppliers will be responsible for including the validation link provided by IRBM, in the form of a QR Code, on the e-invoice and sending it to buyers. Buyers will utilise this QR Code to validate the existence and status of the e-invoice via the MyInvois platform.
Key requirements for Malaysia’s e-invoicing system
The guideline defines an e-invoice as a file created in the format specified by IRBM (XML and JSON) that the relevant accounting systems can automatically process. This means PDFs, JPGs or other electronic formats will no longer be considered an e-invoice.
A key component of the new e-invoicing system is the validation of the customers’ Tax Identification Number (TIN), which the issuer should validate before issuing the invoice.
Taxpayers will be able to request and retrieve essential invoice data from the MyInvois platform in certain formats through API integration.
IRBM will store all e-invoices. However, this doesn’t exempt taxpayers from maintaining their records during the storage period.
Certain non-business transactions between individual taxpayers will also be subject to e-invoicing requirements.
Currently, no registration or certification is required for service providers but this may change in the future.
Cancellation and rejection of e-invoices will be performed through the MyInvois system within 72 hours following the clearance process.
While the guideline does not explicitly mention PEPPOL, efforts are being made to establish a PEPPOL Authority in the country.
Implementation Timeline
The roll-out of the mandate will follow this schedule:
From June 2024: Mandatory implementation for taxpayers with an annual turnover or revenue of more than RM100 million (appx. 20 million Euros)
From January 2025: Mandatory implementation for taxpayers with an annual turnover or revenue of more than RM50 million
From January 2026: Mandatory implementation for taxpayers with an annual turnover or revenue of more than RM25 million
From January 2027: Mandatory implementation for all businesses
The annual turnover or revenue will be based on audited financial statements or tax returns from 2022. Once a taxpayer’s implementation timeline has been set using the 2022 financial statements, any subsequent changes to their annual turnover or revenue will not impact their go-live date.
What’s next?
With more detailed information now available about the implementation of e-invoicing in Malaysia, taxpayers must begin preparing their systems for the upcoming changes.
In Q4 2023, the IRBM is set to release a Software Development Kit including the relevant technical documentation and APIs. Furthermore, additional guidance on certain aspects of the implementation and anticipated legislative changes are expected in due course.
In July 2023, the French authorities postponed the implementation timeline. A new timeline will be announced with the adoption of the finance law for 2024.
When your organisation trades cross-border, regular changes to the regulatory landscape are a given. Whether those changes are brand-new requirements in a country where you do business or the evolution of existing legislation, you must be ahead of the developments to remain compliant.
With global tax authorities continually making progress with their digitization strategies, the e-invoicing revolution continues at speed.
In this quarter’s instalment of our VAT Snapshot webinar, Kelly Muniz and Enis Gencer from Sovos’ Regulatory Analysis and Design team, will look in detail at anticipated changes in countries with emerging digital strategies and discuss updates to some of the more established regimes.
They will cover:
The introduction of continuous transaction controls (CTCs) in Israel and Malaysia in 2024
Expected developments in Spain, including the Bizkaia Batuz mandate effective from January 2024
Latest developments in e-invoicing in France and the role of Partner Dematerialization Platforms (PDP)
Join our 30-minute update on 13 July for the latest news, and for an opportunity to put your questions to our speakers.
According to the latest global market report, Billentis, the Asia Pacific region is expected to achieve the highest annual e-invoice volume growth rates compared to Latin America and Europe until 2025.
This is mainly because the Asian market, outside of South Korea, is new to the tax digitization journey and is accelerating the adoption of e-invoicing as an effective measure for VAT control.
Though the types of e-invoicing strategies implemented in the APAC region vary greatly, we can also identify some common characteristics.
There are jurisdictions with a strong common law legacy, such as Singapore and Japan, which typically focus regulatory measures on record retention. In recent years, many of these countries have started gearing up toward regulating e-invoicing issuance (notably by adhesion to the Peppol system), e.g., Singapore. Associated national standards have been adopted for a wide range of e-invoicing flows for B2B and B2G scenarios.
Conversely, Latin American clearance models and continuous transaction controls (CTCs) influence some countries. Examples of jurisdictions with CTCs are China and Taiwan.
More countries aim to introduce a staged approach to mandatory e-invoicing or CTCs in the coming years. Notable examples are Saudi Arabia, which in January 2023 introduced a clearance regime in multiple phases for different taxpayer groups, and Vietnam, which will be doing the same in the coming years.
Here’s a highlight of the recent e-invoicing developments in Asia Pacific.
E-Invoicing in Malaysia:
In October 2022, the Malaysian Ministry of Finance announced their plans to implement a CTC model.
Malaysia has implemented a CTC clearance model for certain transactions, such as the one implemented in Italy, where e-invoices must be sent to the tax authority in real time to obtain validation before being delivered to buyers. The scope of the system will cover all domestic (B2G, B2B and B2C) and cross-border transactions.
The scope of transactions that are subject, per default, to mandatory e-invoicing are B2B and B2G in the following sectors: automotive, aviation, luxury goods and jewellery, construction, licensed betting and gaming, and payments to agents, dealers and distributors.
Malaysia will also follow a CTC reporting model for all other transactions where e-invoicing is not mandatory and not requested by the buyer. In these cases, taxpayers will be allowed to issue invoices and receipts as per the current practices and then report them monthly through the issuance of a consolidated e-invoice.
The mandate has been rolled out in a phased manner, starting in August 2024, for taxpayers with an annual turnover or revenue of more than MR100 million, and it will apply to taxpayers with an annual turnover or revenue of up to RM500,000 from January 2026.
In Thailand, the government has been working to develop a robust e-invoicing system with a framework that boosts e-invoicing using certified third-party service providers for e-tax issuance.
Using service providers is a viable alternative for businesses as some don’t want to invest or develop their own e-tax systems, whilst others cannot afford to create a compliant invoicing system. This is due to the complex technical and legal steps to maintain their own compliant system. The Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) started a certification process for electronic service providers to assess whether the applicant’s solution is secure and compliant.
More recently, the Thai Revenue Department (TRD) and the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) published new regulations to improve the e-tax invoicing system. The regulations include aspects like the e-tax invoice content and standards for forms, delivery methods, storage and information security for operations relating to electronic invoicing.
Thailand has also recently announced an extension of tax incentives for taxpayers using the current e-tax invoicing system to promote e-invoices in the country. These measures could also signal a future mandatory e-invoicing mandate; however, there is no mandate or defined timeline yet.
E-invoicing has been mandatory in South Korea since 2011 with the implementation of their Electronic Tax Invoice System.
The scope of the e-invoicing obligation covers all corporations as well as individual taxable persons that exceed a certain turnover threshold. Since entering into effect in January 2012, the scope for sole proprietors has been reduced from 1 billion KRW to 0.1 billion KRW in July 2023.
South Korea´s Electronic Tax Invoice System is considered to be a CTC (Continuous Transaction Control) model – not due to the e-invoicing requirements, since the Tax Authority does not interfere in the process of their issuance, as opposed to CTC clearance models. Instead, it has a CTC reporting model in place as all e-tax invoices must be reported to National Tax Service (NTS) within one day of issuance.
The scope of the mandate in the country covers only domestic transactions (B2G, B2B and B2C). Cross-border transactions are out of scope.
E-invoicing has been gradually introduced in China, starting with B2C. In September 2020, the State Taxation Administration (STA) announced a pilot program enabling selected taxpayers operating in China to issue VAT special electronic invoices on a voluntary basis, which are generally used in B2B transactions.
In 2021, the Tax Bureaus of Shanghai, Guangdong Province and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region announced a new pilot program covering selected taxpayers, introducing a new fully digitized e-invoice.
Following the recent developments in China regarding the Pilot Program for e-Invoicing, which was expanded to new provinces and cities in November 2023, the last province of Tibet has now implemented issuing fully digitalized electronic invoices (e-fapiao) for selected taxpayers.
The State Taxation Administration (STA) in China decided to officially promote the optional adoption of digital electronic invoices throughout the country. The announcement, effective from 1 December 2024, confirms that digital invoices will have the same legal effect as paper invoices.
The announcement also mentions some information, such as the basic contents of the digital invoice, and makes some remarks regarding the number of the digital invoice, which will be 20 digits.
The issuance of digital invoices is still not mandatory and remains optional for taxpayers. However, this announcement marks the end of the previous pilot project for e-invoicing. It is a big step towards the full adoption of electronic invoices, which will optimise the taxpayer’s operations, improve administrative efficiency and promote the digital transformation of the economy and society.
In 2018, the Singapore Government Agency, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), joined the non-profit international association OpenPeppol, which is responsible for developing and maintaining the Peppol specifications. Singapore became the first National Authority outside Europe to join as a Peppol Authority.
In 2019, the IMDA officially launched a nationwide e-invoicing network (InvoiceNow) with intentions to extend the International Peppol E-Delivery Network by allowing businesses to transact internationally with other companies through this network. The IMDA has been encouraging businesses to use InvoiceNow in B2B and B2G transactions as an efficient, modern solution for invoicing and document delivery.
Additionally, it was recently announced the adoption of a Peppol 5-corner model for invoice data reporting based on InvoiceNow for B2B transactions. The implementation of this mandate sees a move away from a Peppol 4 corner model, with taxpayers instead now transmitting invoice data to the IRAS, the nation’s tax authority. Accredited Access Points (AP) are the only parties allowed to submit invoice data to IRAS using C5 API – Sovos is an accredited AP in Singapore.
It will start voluntarily for GST-registered businesses in May 2025 and will be mandatory for newly incorporated companies and those who register for GST on a voluntary basis from November 2025. This mandate is expected to be rolled out to other categories of taxpayers in the future.
Japan has adopted a voluntary e-invoicing system. The Standard Specification for Digital Invoices (JP PINT) based on the global standard Peppol specification is published for Japanese taxpayers wishing to issue and exchange electronic invoices over the Peppol network. The E-Invoice Promotion Association (EIPA) is encouraging taxpayers to use the Peppol standard.
In line with the country’s efforts to improve tax controls, Japan introduced the so-called Qualified Invoice System (QIS) in October 2023. In this system, the total amount of the consumption tax corresponding to each rate must be included in the invoice along with the registration number of the qualified issuer. Taxpayers must register to issue qualified invoices. The QIS does not mandate taxpayers to issue invoices electronically.
In February 2025, the Philippines Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) published new rules on e-invoicing and CTC e-reporting. Key changes include expanding the taxpayer base subject to these obligations and providing tax benefits for compliant taxpayers. Additionally, e-invoices are now redefined to refer only to documents issued in a structured format from which data can be easily extracted and reported to the BIR.
As a result, starting in March 2026, structured e-invoicing becomes mandatory for companies engaged in e-commerce and all large taxpayers. Separate regulations mandating compliance with both structured e-invoicing and CTC e-reporting are still to be issued and will impact all taxpayers subject to the system.
India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework introduced an e-invoicing system which falls under the Continuous Transaction Controls (CTCs) category, to improve tax compliance and reduce evasion.
This system mandates reporting invoice data to an Invoice Registration Portal (IRP) for clearance before the exchange with the trading party. For an invoice to be legally valid, it must include an Invoice Registration Number (IRN) obtained from an IRP. This requirement applies to B2B, B2G and export transactions.
In 2024, the GST recommended an extension of the CTC mandate to B2C and a pilot rollout for B2C e-invoicing. Invoice data must be submitted in JSON format to IRPs, although invoices can be exchanged in JSON, PDF, or paper form, with a mandatory archiving period of eight years.
The e-invoicing rollout began voluntarily in January 2020 for businesses with turnovers exceeding Rs. 500 Crore, gradually extending to smaller businesses. By August 2023, the mandate applied to taxpayers with annual turnovers of Rs. 5 Crore or more. Non-compliance, such as failing to register an invoice on the IRP, incurs penalties of at least Rs. 10,000 per instance, along with additional GST penalties and interest.
In late 2024, a new functionality called the Invoice Management System (IMS) was launched on the GST portal. The IMS allows taxpayers to accept, reject or mark an invoice received as pending. The functionality is available for regular taxpayers and taxpayers using the Quarterly Return Monthly Payment (QRMP) scheme.
Indonesia embraced digital transformation in its tax system by introducing the e-Faktur system in 2014, becoming effective in 2016. This move towards electronic invoicing is a strategic effort to combat tax evasion and narrow the tax gap through continuous transaction controls (CTCs).
Mandatory for all corporate VAT taxpayers since July 2016, e-Faktur requires invoices to be generated through approved systems and validated by the Directorate General of Taxes (DGT) before being issued. Invoices must include tax invoice series number (“NSFP”) allocated by the DGT, and a QR Code. This CTC system enforces the use of electronic signatures and mandates processing through the eFaktur platform.
Vietnam advanced its tax compliance efforts by implementing a nationwide e-invoicing mandate on 1 July 2022, aimed at combating VAT fraud and reducing the VAT gap. The rollout began in March 2022 in select provinces and cities and moved to a full national implementation by July. The initial implementation phase involved technical solutions in six local tax administrations and expanded to all provinces by April 2022, setting a comprehensive framework for e-invoicing compliance across Vietnam.
This mandate requires all businesses, including enterprises, organisations, business households, and individuals, to register for and issue e-invoices in XML format for transactions.
Vietnam’s e-invoicing system distinguishes between authenticated e-invoices, which require a tax authority code before being sent to the buyer, and unauthenticated e-invoices, which do not require said unique code. Most taxpayers in Vietnam must issue authenticated e-invoices to comply with this mandate. E-invoices must be digitally signed by the supplier and archived electronically with secure and reliable methods to ensure integrity and authenticity.
The winds of change in the region are blowing strongly in favour of digitizing invoicing systems. We see influences from different parts of the world, from Latin America with its decentralised clearance models to Europe with the Italian-style centralised clearance system, as well as with Peppol-inspired e-invoicing frameworks.
These are only a few examples of countries in the region adopting a CTC system. Businesses must prepare to adopt the new e-invoice compliance requirements trending around the world, and in particular, across Asia.
Get in touch with our tax experts for a global e-invoicing solution.
Japan’s new e-invoice retention requirements are part of the country’s latest Electronic Record Retention Law (ERRL) reform.
Along with measures such as the Qualified Invoice System (QIS) and the possibility to issue and send invoices electronically via PEPPOL, Japan is implementing different indirect tax control measures, seeking to reduce tax evasion and promote digital transformation.
In line with these objectives, the amended ERRL will require taxable persons in Japan to follow several compliance rules when archiving documents originating from electronic transactions, such as e-invoices.
Scope of the mandatory electronic retention rules in Japan
The reform has abolished the hard-copy retention option for electronic transactions. Starting 1 January 2024, records of electronic transaction information must be archived electronically.
As per the definition of the ERRL, “electronic transactions” includes transaction information carried out via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), transactions via the Internet, and transactions in which transaction information is exchanged by email, among others.
The scope of such transaction information may include order forms, contracts, invoices, receipts, and other similar documents related to the transaction sent and received electronically.
How to retain e-invoices in Japan
Taxpayers must retain any records of electronic transaction information, including e-invoices, in an electronic archive, as prescribed in the Ordinance for Enforcement of the ERRL.
When retaining e-invoices, the following are alternative ways to ensure compliance with the ERRL:
The issuer can timestamp the e-invoice
The recipient can timestamp the e-invoice within a certain time period after receiving it
Trading parties can use a system for exchange and archiving which either prevents corrections and deletions or keeps track of such corrections and deletions
Trading parties can maintain a guideline explaining how the data is kept, which only allows data correction and deletion in limited situations and enables tracking of data correction and deletion records, if any
Updated retention rules for scanned invoices
Updated rules are also in place for taxable persons who convert their paper invoices into a digitized document and keep the invoice exclusively in electronic format.
One of the following is required to ensure the authenticity and integrity of the scanned invoice:
Applying a timestamp of a vendor certified by the authorities or
Choosing a method that provides the same function as a timestamp and using an electronic archive that ensures no correction or deletion is carried out after the scanning.
Under new rules as of 1 January 2022, there has been an extension to the timestamping deadline to about two months.
What’s next for e-invoicing in Japan?
In addition to enforcement of the QIS and all changes described above, Japan introduced transitional measures for taxable persons to provide a grace period for necessary preparations. The tax authority will abolish transitional measures under the ERRL on 31 December 2023. Invoice issuers should check their compliance with the Japanese tax framework in the meantime.
South Korea has recently approved a tax reform which introduces several measures for 2023, among which is the possibility of issuance of self-billing tax invoices.
This tax reform amends the current VAT law to allow the purchaser to issue invoices for the supply of goods and services.
However, this will only be allowed in specific circumstances, such as when the supplier cannot issue the invoice. The purchaser can claim a deduction for the related input VAT by issuing a self-billing invoice.
Therefore, issuing self-billing invoices for VAT-exempted supplies of goods and services will not be permitted. However, the issuance of self-billing invoices by the purchaser depends on confirmation from a district tax office.
What’s next?
This amendment will enter into force and apply to all supplies of goods and services from 1 July 2023.
This South Korean tax reform will expand the transactional scope of the country’s e-invoice issuance and continuous transaction control (CTC) reporting system (e-tax invoicing), as the transactions in the scope of e-tax invoicing are generally the same as those in the scope of VAT invoicing.
Collection of real-time fiscal data is becoming one of the core public finance decision making tools. Transactional data provides a timely and reliable overview of the business sector, enabling governments to rely on analytical data in the decision-making process.
This is what has led many governments to adopt CTC regimes that require taxpayers to transmit their transactional data in real/ near-real time to government services. South Korea was one of the first countries to appreciate the benefits of a CTC regime and mandated reporting of e-invoice data to the government for certain taxpayers as early as 2011.
Mandate scope expanded
The year after the first implementation, the South Korean authorities expanded the mandate scope and the e-invoicing system became mandatory for more taxpayers. 2014 saw another expansion of the CTC mandate to reach its current scope.
The current system requires any business that is a corporate entity or an individual whose aggregate supply value for the immediately preceding tax year is KRW 300,000,000 or more to issue an e-invoice to the recipient of goods or services subject to VAT, as well as to report the invoice data to the government.
The South Korean e-invoicing system mandates the issuance of an e-invoice to the recipient and reporting of this invoice data to the government portal within a day of its issuance. Before e-invoices are transmitted, suppliers must digitally sign them with a PKI electronic signature. E-invoices are reported in an XML format to the National Tax Agency (NTS) Portal. Due to the near-real time reporting time-limit, the South Korean e-invoicing system falls under the category of CTC.
South Korea has implemented a comprehensive e-invoicing system from the beginning and as a result there haven’t been any major changes to the requirements or practices. This is a big relief for taxpayers in South Korea compared to other CTC jurisdictions where there are constant changes.
In addition to the benefits for taxpayers, a considered CTC regime is also less burdensome for the state as the implementation costs of the constant regulatory changes can be significant.
More and more governments are considering the adoption of CTC regimes and should look to South Korea as a success story for this approach which has worked well for both the government and taxpayers.
Take Action
Please get in touch to discuss how Sovos can help your business comply with CTC regime reporting in South Korea or other jurisdictions subject to e-invoicing mandates.
Singapore’s new Low Value Goods (LVG) rules came into effect at the beginning of the year. As of 1 January 2023, private consumers in the country must pay 8% GST on goods valued up to SGD 400 imported via air or post from GST-registered suppliers.
From 1 January 2024, the GST will increase to 9%.
Prior to this change , Low Value Goods procured locally from GST-registered businesses were subject to GST. Goods imported overseas via air or post were not. This change treats all goods consumed in Singapore in relation to GST.
The SGD 400 threshold does not include:
Transportation
Insurance costs
Any duties payable to Singapore Customs
For example, a private individual orders an item that costs SGD 390. Additional transportation fees are SGD 20. As the threshold excludes transportation fees, the product’s value is SGD 390. The consumer will have to pay GST on the purchase to the supplier.
Since 1 January 2023, GST is also levied on supplies of imported non-digital services purchased from GST-registered overseas suppliers. As a result, all B2C supplies of imported services – digital or otherwise – that are supplied and received remotely are taxed.
Non-established suppliers – such as electronic marketplace operators and re-deliverers – must register, charge and account for GST where:
Their global annual turnover exceeds SGD 1 million
The value of B2C supplies of import low value goods, digital services and non-digital services made to non-GST-registered customers in Singapore exceeds SGD 100,000
Companies may also voluntarily register.
Businesses should assess if these changes trigger the need to register for GST and other compliance challenges.
Thailand has permitted e-invoicing since 2012. From 2017 – following regulations issued on e-tax and e-receipts – taxpayers may prepare, deliver, and keep their invoices and receipts electronically, subject to prior approval from the Thai Revenue Department.
Currently, the Revenue Department and the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) are working together to improve the e-tax invoicing system in Thailand. As a result of this joint effort, they’re developing new regulations.
Thailand´s voluntary e-invoicing system aims to promote and support their e-payment policies and electronic transactions, reduce the cost and management of the government and private sector and increase confidence and safety according to international standards.
According to the Revenue Code documents that can be voluntarily issued electronically are tax invoices (known as e-tax invoices), credit notes, debit notes and receipts.
What is e-tax in Thailand?
E-tax invoices are electronic tax invoices, including regular invoices and debit and credit notes prepared in a specific electronic format.
Formats may include a Microsoft Word file, a Microsoft Excel file, PDF, PDF/A-3, XML or other forms established by the Revenue Department. Finally, the e-tax invoice must be signed using a digital signature or time stamp before being delivered to the buyer.
Thailand e-tax system
Thailand currently has two e-invoicing systems for taxpayers to adopt voluntarily. These are e-tax invoices and e-receipt RTIR, and e-tax invoices by email.
E-tax invoices and e-receipt
Any taxpayer can voluntarily register for this system without a turnover threshold.
Entrepreneurs can prepare electronic tax invoices and electronic receipts in an XML file or other electronic formats with a digital signature. However, to submit the data to the Revenue Department, the information should only be in an XML file format (Bor Thor. 3-2560). They must also have an electronic certificate provided by a Certification Authority.
In this system, the supplier must submit the e-invoice to the Revenue Department by the 15th day of the subsequent tax month after delivering it to the buyer.
E-tax invoice by email
This system is designed for small entities with an annual turnover of less than THB 30 million. Taxpayers can email the invoice to the buyer and include the central system of the agency that develops electronic transactions in the CC field for time stamping.
The system then sends both trading parties an e-tax invoice with a time stamp. In this system, the file format is PDF/A-3. Information is automatically sent to the Revenue Department.
It’s important to note that once approved by the Thai Revenue Department to issue electronic invoices, taxpayers must comply with all the regulations and rules for preparing and storing electronic invoices and receipts.
New regulations on e-tax invoices and e-receipts in Thailand
The Thai Revenue Department has recently published new announcements from the Director-General of the Revenue Department regarding VAT, namely: no. 48, 247, 248 and 249.
E-tax invoices and credit and debit notes should include specific statements from those announcements. As of January 2023, they must specify that electronic invoices were prepared and sent to the Revenue Department electronically.
The Thai Revenue Department also set forward new standards in the Announcement of the Director-General of the Revenue Department No.48 regarding forms, method of delivery, storage and documentary evidence or books and information security for operations relating to electronic invoicing.
These new standards entered into force on 19 August 2022.
This regulation reinforces the need for prior approval and permission from the Revenue Department to connect with the electronic systems to issue e-tax invoices. It is subject to the requirement that a data security system can ensure the fulfilment of e-tax invoices and e-receipts.
The taxpayers opting for e-invoicing must follow the rules and conditions for this process. They need to inform the Revenue Department of the e-tax invoice by submitting a receipt for the tax invoice and the certificate used for digital signature.
E-archive rules in Thailand
The Thai Revenue Department also issued new standards in Announcement No. 48 for storing and archiving e-tax invoices and e-receipts.
Taxpayers who are obligated to issue an invoice and choose to do so electronically have to keep the electronic invoice or receipt according to specific criteria:
(a) Use reliable methods to maintain message integrity from the time the message is completed and can display that message later.
(b) Keep information on tax invoices or receipts, which can be accessed and reused, and the meaning does not change.
(c) Keep the information of tax invoices or receipts in the format in which they were created, sent, or received – or in a form that can display messages correctly, and
(d) Retain information indicating the origin and destination of the tax invoice or receipt and the date and time they sent the message.
According to the Thai Revenue Code, electronic invoices must be stored electronically for no less than five years but no more than seven years. Taxpayers must keep tax audit e-invoices until the completion of the audit.
What´s next in Thailand?
These were significant steps towards the digitalisation of taxation in Thailand. Although there is no future timeline or mandate, they’ve taken more measures to solidify and mature the e-invoicing mandate.
While e-invoicing is still not mandatory in Thailand, the government intends to promote e-tax invoices to help businesses to increase efficiency and decrease costs. These measures could be applicable in a future compulsory e-invoicing mandate.
If you want to learn more about e-tax in Thailand or have any other question please feel free to get in touch with a tax expert today.
Since 1 January 2019 foreign electronic service providers must issue electronic invoices, a type of e-invoice, for sales of electronic services to individual buyers in Taiwan. Alongside this, Taiwan’s local tax authorities have been introducing incentives for domestic taxpayers to implement e-invoicing despite not being a mandatory requirement.
Before diving into the details of the e-invoicing system in Taiwan, we’ll discuss the Government Uniform Invoice (GUI), which the e-invoicing system is based on Government Uniform Invoices.
What is a Government Uniform Invoice (GUI)?
The government uniform invoice is a standard VAT invoice governed and pre-numbered by the tax authorities in Taiwan. All business entities must issue GUIs for all sales of goods and services subject to VAT, except for any legal exemptions.
Taxpayers can issue GUIs once following business registration approval by the local competent tax authority in Taiwan. Taxpayers can issue different types of GUIs including paper-based GUIs and Electronic Government Uniform Invoices (eGUIs) as well.
What is an eGUI?
eGUIs are a type of GUI issued, transmitted, or obtained via the internet or other electronic means.
Issuing an eGUI is mandatory for foreign electronic service providers who sell electronic services to individuals in Taiwan as of 1 January 2019. However, issuing eGUIs for B2B, B2C and B2G transactions is optional for the broader economy, including domestic taxpayers in Taiwan.
How are eGUIs issued?
Business entities in Taiwan must use a sequential track number called the electronic invoice track number (eGUI number for short) in their electronic invoices. Business entities must apply to the local tax authority to have eGUI numbers assigned.
The e-invoice issuance process requires the use of these eGUI numbers and must comply with MIG 3.2.1 based on an XML format provided by the tax authority.
Following the issuance of an electronic uniform invoice, businesses have 48 hours to upload the invoice information to the tax authority platform for B2C transactions and seven days for B2B transactions This model is known as continuous transaction controls (CTCs), whereby the tax authorities receive transactional information from taxpayers in real time or near-real time.
Business entities can appoint a certified e-invoicing service provider, also known as value-added centers, to issue and transmit uniform invoices electronically.
What’s next for Taiwan’s tax system?
Taiwanese authorities have encouraged electronic invoicing for many years. As a result, more and more businesses have started issuing eGUIs.
The requirement to issue e-invoices for foreign electronic service providers has played an important role in the widespread adoption of e-invoicing throughout the country. While it’s clear Taiwan has come a long way in terms of the digitalization of e-invoicing processes, paper-based invoices can still be issued according to Taiwanese regulations.
We’ll monitor developments in the future to see whether the mandatory implementation of e-invoicing will be extended to the broader economy in Taiwan.
Need more information about Taiwain e-invoicing?
Need to issue GUIs electronically in Taiwan? To comply with tax authority requirements in Taiwan and around the world, contact us now.
The Philippines continuous transaction controls (CTC) Electronic Invoicing/Receipting System (EIS) has been officially kicked off for the 100 large taxpayers selected by the government to inaugurate the mandate. Although taxpayers were still struggling to meet the new e-invoicing system’s technical requirements just before the go-live date, the Philippines upheld its planned deadline and went live with this pilot on 1 July 2022.
The Philippines roll-out has once again highlighted the challenges of complying with new mandates and shown that readiness is vital.
Together with one of the six initial pilot companies, which started testing early this year, Sovos has developed the first software solution to obtain approval by the EIS to operate e-invoice transmission through the government’s transmission platform. Sovos’ solution is up and running in the Philippines.
Release of new regulations
One day before the EIS go-live, the Philippines tax authority, BIR (Bureau of Internal Revenue), published Revenue Regulations n. 6-2022, 8-2022, and 9-2022, containing the new system’s policies and guidelines and documenting the rules and procedures adopted by the EIS.
While the regulations do not represent news for pilot taxpayers who have successfully implemented their CTC e-invoice reporting systems, the same might not be accurate for those preparing to comply with the new mandate. The legislation officially establishes the country’s e-invoice/receipt issuance and reporting initiative, first introduced in 2018 by the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN), and documents relevant information.
Who needs to comply?
As of 1 July 2022, 100 selected pilot taxpayers have been obliged to issue and transmit e-invoices and e-receipts through the EIS. The BIR is planning a phased roll-out for other taxpayers within the scope of the mandate, starting in 2023, but no official calendar has been announced yet.
Taxpayers covered by the mandate are:
Taxpayers engaged in the export of goods and/or services
Taxpayers engaged in electronic commerce
Taxpayers under the Large Taxpayers Service (LTS)
The mandate requires electronic issuance of invoices (B2B), receipts (B2C), debit and credit notes and transmission through the EIS platform in near real-time, that is, in up to three (3) calendar days counted from issuance date. Documents must be transmitted using the JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) file format.
Issuing and transmitting
Issuance and transmission can be done through the EIS taxpayer portal or using API (Application Programming Interface), in which taxpayers must develop a Sales Data Transmission System and secure certification before operating through the EIS. This entails the application for the EIS Certification and a Permit to Transmit (PTT) by submitting documentation with detailed information about the taxpayer’s system.
Although the regulations state that the submission of printed invoices and receipts is no longer required for taxpayers operating under the EIS, archiving requirements have not been modified. This means that during the 10-year archiving period, taxpayers must retain hard copies of transmitted documents for the first five (5) years, after which exclusive electronic storage is allowed for the remaining time.
Additionally, the legislation states that only the invoices successfully transmitted through the EIS will be accepted for VAT deduction purposes.
Taxpayers were not ready to comply
Many of the 100 pilot taxpayers struggled to comply with the country’s deadline. For this reason, the EIS has allowed alternations to the deadline for certain taxpayers, provided they submit a Sworn Statement detailing the reasons why they are not able to meet the requirement on time and a schedule with the date they intend to comply by, which are subject to the EIS’ approval.
Regarding non-compliance, the regulations state that the tax authority shall impose a penalty for delayed or non-transmission of e-invoices/receipts to the EIS and that unreported sales will be subject to further investigation.
What’s next?
After the pilot program kick-off and legally establishing the CTC framework, the government plans to gradually roll out the mandate to all taxpayers included in the scope in 2023. However, taxpayers who are not in the mandatory scope of the EIS may already opt to enrol in the system and be ready to comply beforehand.
Sovos was the first software provider to become certified, in conjunction with one of the pilot taxpayers, to transmit through the EIS, and is ready to comply with the Philippines CTC e-invoice reporting. Our powerful software combined with our extensive knowledge of the Philippines tax landscape helps companies solve tax for good.
Indonesia made e-invoicing mandatory for all VAT-registered taxpayers on 1 July 2016, expanding upon its initial e-Faktur rollout in Bali and Java from 1 July 2015.
With its own official e-invoicing system and mandate, Indonesia has plenty for taxpayers to learn and comply with. This page is the ideal starting point for understanding Indonesia e-invoicing.
After experiencing challenges in its tax control system, Indonesia adopted an e‑invoicing system locally known as e‑Faktur Pajak. Leveraging data reported in real-time via continuous transaction controls (CTCs) allows the Indonesian tax authorities to reduce occurrences of fraud whilst helping to close the tax gap.
Introduced in 2014 and effective from 2016, Indonesia’s e‑invoicing system seeks to combat the tax gap. Indonesia’s solution was the implementation of an invoice clearance system, where invoices must be approved by the local tax authority prior to being sent to a customer.
E-invoicing is mandatory for all corporate VAT taxpayers. It’s compulsory for all invoices to be processed and issued electronically through the government’s official system, eFaktur.
Also known as tax invoices, e-invoices in Indonesia are typically issued for:
Delivery of taxable goods (Barang Kena Pajak)
Rendering of taxable services (Jasa Kena Pajak)
Advance payment of taxable goods or services
eFaktur e-invoices should be created by applications approved by Indonesia’s Director of Taxation (DGT). Options include client desktop, web-based and host-to-host applications. Electronic invoices need to be secured using an electronic signature, and taxpayers need electronic certificates to verify their identity—the latter need to be renewed every two years. Validated invoices receive a QR code from the DGT as proof of authenticity.
It’s worth noting that the VAT return submission has been integrated with eFaktur, and VAT returns are typically required to be submitted monthly via the platform.
Timeline of e-invoicing adoption in Indonesia
Indonesia’s e-invoicing journey has plenty of key moments:
1 July 2014: e-Faktur is introduced
1 July 2015: e-Faktur becomes mandatory for VAT-registered taxpayers in Bali and Java
1 July 2016: e-Faktur Pajak became effective for all VAT-registered taxpayers based in the country
1 October 2020: New e-Faktur Pajak version 3.0 released
31 July 2024: The development of a Core Tax System (PSIAP) is announced to automate and digitise tax administration services
Penalties: What happens if I don’t comply with e-invoicing in Indonesia?
Indonesia penalises taxpayers who fail to meet their compliance obligations. For example, if a tax invoice is not issued (or is issued late or invalid), the taxpayer will be fined 1% of the VAT base.
All VAT-registered businesses in Indonesia must send and receive e-invoices via the e-Faktur platform. They must submit invoices for validation before sending to the buyer.
Yes, the e-Faktur system is integrated with VAT reporting. The introduction of e-faktur v3.0 in October 2020 enabled the auto-population of VAT returns for taxpayers in the scope of the local e-invoicing mandate.
Setting up e-invoicing in Indonesia with Sovos
E-invoicing is a global trend, though your requirements differ by country. Indonesia is far into its e-invoicing journey, while some countries have yet to even announce any official plans.
Doing business internationally is tough, especially when you add compliance to the mix. Working with Sovos means choosing a single vendor to handle tax compliance, wherever you operate.
Let us take care of your compliance burden so you can continue to focus on growing your business.
New regulations for Thailand's e-tax invoicing solutions and receipts expected soon
Thailand’s current e-invoicing legal framework has been in effect since 2012 and follows a post-audit approach.
The Thai Revenue Department and Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA) are working together to improve and further develop the e-tax invoicing system. As a result, new regulations on e-tax invoicing and receipts are expected in the future.
Get in touch with a Sovos Thailand electronic invoicing expert.
Thailand's E-tax invoicing solutions
From 2017, the Thai Revenue Department issued regulations on electronic tax invoices and receipts. Subject to approval, taxpayers can prepare, deliver and keep their e-tax invoices and receipts in electronic format. Read more about e-tax in Thailand here.
Thailand electronic invoicing: facts
E-invoices must be digitally signed using a certificate issued by a certification authority and approved by the Thai Revenue Department.
E-invoices must be submitted in XML format to the Revenue Department monthly.
Outsourcing of e-invoice issuance is allowed provided the third-party service provider is certified by the Thai Revenue Department.
E-tax invoicing rollout dates
2012 – E-invoicing permitted
2017 – New regulations issued on electronic e-tax and receipts.
2020 – EDTA began a certification process for service providers to assess whether applicants’ solutions are secure and compliant.
How can Sovos help with invoicing solutions?
Need help to ensure your business stays compliant with emerging e-invoicing obligations?
Our experts continually monitor, interpret and codify legal changes and requirements into our software solutions, taking care of your indirect tax compliance so you can focus on your core business.
Learn how Sovos’ solutions for continuous transaction controls and VAT compliance obligations can help companies stay compliant.
The global trend in the e-invoicing sphere for the past decade has shown that legislators and local tax authorities worldwide are rethinking the invoice creation process. By introducing technologically sophisticated continuous transaction control (CTC) platforms tax authorities get immediate and detailed control over VAT, which has proven a very efficient way to reduce the VAT gap.
However, many common law countries, that don’t have a VAT system, including the United States, Australia and New Zealand, haven’t followed the same path. They have stood out in international comparisons by providing little regulation in the field of e-invoicing. The reason why there is no need to have control over the invoices is the lack of a VAT tax regime. Recent developments, however, indicate that also common law countries try to spur e-invoicing, driven by the business process efficiencies rather than the need for tax control. Accordingly, the upcoming developments will be addressed in this blog, focusing on the Unites States e-invoicing pilot program and the Australian and New Zealand initiatives to promote e-invoicing.
United States
E-invoicing has been permitted for a very long time in the United States but is still not widespread business practice. According to some sources, e-invoicing currently only amounts to 25% of all invoices exchanged in the country. With the introduction of the Business Payments Coalition (BPC) e-invoicing pilot program in cooperation with the Federal Reserve, this may be about to change.
The BPC’s e-Invoice Exchange Market Pilot aims to promote faster B2B communication and provide an opportunity for all kinds of businesses to exchange e-invoices in the US.
The BPC e-Invoice Exchange Market Pilot
The pilot program is a standardised e-invoicing network across which structured e-invoices can be exchanged between counterparties using various interoperable invoicing systems to connect and exchange documents. It’s intended to drive efficiency and productivity while reducing data errors. A federated registry services model enables authorised administrators or registrars to register and onboard participants into the e-invoice exchange framework.
The e-invoice exchange framework operates similarly to the email ecosystem. Users can sign up with an email provider to send and receive emails. The provider serves as an access point to email exchanges for their users and delivers emails between them over the internet. It allows multiple registrars to register participants within the e-invoice exchange framework. This is reminiscent of the globally established PEPPOL model, which standardizes the structure of an invoice as well as provides a framework for interoperability.
Future vision
The US is following the European e-invoicing model based on open interoperability functionality. It enables parties using various invoicing systems to connect and exchange documents through the e-invoicing network easily. The digitization process in the e-invoicing sphere will enable large and small organisations in the US to save resources, promote sustainability and provide business efficiency.
Australia and New Zealand
Similarly, to the US, the move towards e-invoicing in Australia and New Zealand is not primarily driven by tax issues but process efficiency. Neither country has any plans concerning a traditional B2B e-invoicing mandate. However, the New Zealand and Australian governments have committed to a joint approach to e-invoicing, and the first steps are ensuring that all government entities can receive e-invoices.
Australia
In Australia, all commonwealth government agencies must be able to receive PEPPOL e-invoices from 1 July 2022. Moreover, the government also seeks to boost e-invoicing in the B2B space without the traditional mandate for businesses to invoice electronically. Instead, the proposal is to implement what is referred to as Business e-Invoicing Right (BER).
Under the government’s proposal, businesses would have the right to request that their trading parties send an e-invoice over the PEPPOL network instead of traditional paper invoices. Businesses need to set up their systems to be able to receive PEPPOL e-invoices. Once a business has this capability, it would be able to exercise its ‘right’ and request other companies to send them PEPPOL e-invoices.
This reform is expected to be introduced in July 2023, by which businesses will be able to request to receive PEPPOL e-invoices only from large businesses, followed by a staged roll-out to eventually cover all businesses by 1 July 2025.
New Zealand
Following the Australian e-invoicing reform from July 2022 for the B2G sector, the New Zealand Government is encouraging businesses and government agencies to adopt e-invoicing. One step in this direction is the possibility for all central government agencies to be able to receive e-invoices based on PEPPOL BIS Billing 3.0 since 31 March 2022.
Outside of these B2G requirements, there are currently no published plans to move the full economy to mandatory e-invoicing.
To find out more about what we believe the future holds, download Trends 13th Edition.
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Need help ensuring your business stays updated on the changes in the US, Australia and New Zealand e-invoicing systems? Get in touch with our team of experts to learn how Sovos’ solutions can help.
Vietnam’s VAT Requirements
VAT in Vietnam
Over the last 10 years, the Vietnamese government has worked on developing a solution to tackle the country’s VAT fraud and the VAT gap, introducing an e-invoicing mandate for all companies doing business in Vietnam from 1 July 2022.
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Reforms
The Vietnam e-invoicing mandate was initially slated to be in force by July 2020, but ultimately was delayed. In October 2020, a new timeline was laid out through Decree 123 announcing implementation dates for the new e-invoicing mandate rules that were originally envisaged in the Law on Tax Administration.
An initial rollout will begin from March 2022 to a select number of provinces and cities. The country’s new e-invoicing requirements will come into effect nationwide on 1 July 2022.
Quick facts
Applicable taxpayers in Vietnam will be required to issue e-invoices for their transactions from 1 July 2022.
Legal framework must be followed for all e-invoice submissions.
Enterprises, organisations (economic or otherwise), business households and individuals must register with the local tax administration to start using e-invoicing.
There are two types of e-invoicing processes in Vietnam. Authenticated invoices are granted an authentication code by the tax authority before the invoice is transmitted to the buyer, whereas unauthenticated e-invoices do not require the tax authority’s authentication code.
Electronic invoices must be issued in XML format.
VAT, sales invoices, and the invoices used for selling public assets are among the documents under the scope of the e-invoicing mandate.
Ensuring of the integrity and authenticity of the e-invoices is required and must be digitally signed by the supplier.
E-invoices must be archived electronically and taxable persons may choose archiving methods guaranteeing security and integrity and authenticity during the entirety of the archiving period.
Service providers meeting specific requirements can provide the contracting parties with e-invoicing solutions.
Mandate rollout dates
March 2022 – Vietnam General Taxation Department (GTD) will first work with six local tax administrations: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Binh Dinh, Quang Ning, Hai Phong and Phu Tho to start implementing technical solutions for new e-invoicing requirements and construction of an IT system for connection, data transmission, reception and storage of data.
April 2022 – E-invoicing system will be rolled out to the remaining provinces and cities.
1 July 2022 – All cities and provinces must deploy the e-invoicing system based on the rules established in Decree 123 and the Circular that provides guidance and clarification to certain aspects of the new e-invoicing system.
How can Sovos help?
Need help to ensure your business stays compliant with evolving e-invoicing requirements?
Our experts continually monitor, interpret and codify changes into our software, reducing the compliance burden on your tax and IT teams.
Learn how Sovos’ solutions for continuous transaction controls and VAT compliance obligations can help your company stay compliant.
