E-invoicing in Romania is developing fast. With a current B2G and High Fiscal Risk B2B mandate already in place and a new obligation facing all companies with operations in Romania from 1 Jan. 2024, it can be hard to stay on top of your business’ requirements. Failing to comply with Romania’s e-invoicing and e-reporting mandates will result in penalties, but more importantly, it will lead to invalid tax invoices – which don’t allow for VAT deduction – and, ultimately, may also trigger protracted tax audits, so it is crucial that you are aware of your requirements.
CTC Type E-invoice clearance coupled with e-reporting requirements for transactions carried out between January and July 2024 with public institutions
Network Centralised network where the e-invoice exchange is primarily processed through the RO e-Factura platform
Format UBL 2.1 XML format file following CIUS RO national validation rules
eSignature Requirement Digital Seal applied by the Ministry of Finance
Romania B2B e-invoicing
CTC Type E-invoice clearance coupled with e-reporting requirements for transactions carried out by VAT-registered entities
Network Centralised network where e-invoice exchange is primarily processed through the RO e-Factura platform
Format UBL 2.1 XML format file following CIUS RO national validation rules
eSignature Requirement Digital Seal applied by the Ministry Of Finance
Archiving Requirement 10 years
E-invoicing and e-reporting regulations in Romania
Romania introduced e-invoicing on a voluntary basis in November 2021 for B2G and April 2022 for B2B transactions. Romania’s Government Emergency Order no. 120/2021 implemented the RO E-Factura platform, the country’s e-invoicing system.
From July 2022, e-invoicing became mandatory for B2G and B2B transactions of so-called ‘high fiscal risk products’ following article II of Law no. 139/2022.
Romania applied for a derogation from the EU VAT Directive, aiming to implement a broader B2G and B2B e-invoicing and e-reporting mandate. The EU Council granted derogation in July 2023, allowing Romania to implement mandatory e-invoicing from 2024. The enacting of Law no. 296/2023 provides a new B2G and B2B e-invoicing mandate coupled with e-reporting requirements.
What is RO e-Factura?
RO e-Factura was officially launched in November 2021 as a voluntary clearance program for e-invoices, devised in an effort to streamline Romania’s tax collection. Users of e-Factura issue and submit their electronic invoices in a structured XML format through the system. Invoices are then cleared (following certain schema checks) and a digital seal is applied.
The RO E-Factura platform enables the automatic exchange of electronically issued invoices between entities registered in the system.
Romania B2B e-invoicing and e-reporting
B2B e-invoicing is already in play for transactions that include products deemed a high tax risk, including:
Fruit and vegetables
Alcoholic beverages
Mineral products
Construction materials
Clothing and footwear
Following the recently published mandate, B2B e-invoicing requirements will extend to all products. From January 2024, established and VAT-registered entities are required to report B2B domestic transaction invoices to the RO E-Factura platform within five days of issuance. From July 2024, invoices issued in transactions between established entities must be issued electronically through the RO E-Factura platform.
If, however, taxpayers fail to issue the invoice electronically through the RO E-factura platform, they are obligated to submit it to the RO e-Factura platform within five calendar days.
Romania B2G e-invoicing
From 1 July 2022, Romanian taxpayers were obliged to issue e-invoices, submitting them through the RO e-Factura system, when conducting business with the public sector. This obligation was namely within the context of certain public procurement contracts.
Romania’s e-invoicing mandate has expanded the scope of B2G invoicing in Romania which will apply to all transactions with public institutions from 2024.
Romania e-Transport system
Romania’s e-Transport system, often referred to as RO e-Transport, is used to monitor products when they are being transported. Coupled with the implementation of the CTC mandate, this is another reform that the nation has devised as part of its plan to combat tax fraud and evasion.
The application procedure of the RO e-Transport system has been approved by the joint Order of the National Agency for Fiscal Administration (ANAF) and the Romanian Customs Authority (AVR) no. 1190/4625/2022, with penalties applicable from October 2022.
The RO e-Transport system requires taxpayers to declare the movement of goods from one location to another, in advance of said movement. Once declared, it issues a number on the transport documents which is to be verified by authorities en route.
Timeline: e-invoicing & e-reporting adoption in Romania
The implementation of e-invoicing in Romania has been done in stages. This is a brief timeline of its adoption:
March 2020: E-invoicing system e-Factura is launched as a pilot program.
October 2020: Government Emergency Ordinance (GEO) no. 120/2021 introduced the legal framework for the implementation of e-Factura.
November 2021: Start of the voluntary phase for issuance of e-invoices for B2G transactions.
April 2022: Invoices for B2B transactions of high fiscal risk transactions can be voluntarily submitted in e-Factura.
July 2022: It is now mandatory to issue invoices for B2B transactions of high fiscal risk products through the RO e-Factura platform.
January 2024: For B2B transactions, established taxable persons and VAT registered entities must report invoices in the e-Factura system within five days of issuance.
April 2024: End of three-month grace period for e-invoicing mandate. Penalties will apply to non-compliant taxpayers.
July 2024: The system will shift to an invoice clearance system for B2B transactions between established taxpayers.
Benefits of e-invoicing
From a business perspective, e-invoicing offers several benefits when compared to traditional invoicing. Benefits may include:
Saving costs by reducing paper, postage and manual labour
Saving time by using structured, automated electronic systems and processes
Increased compatibility and interoperability across businesses with initiatives like PEPPOL
Enhanced security can be achieved with the validation and authentication of systems like e-Factura
How to choose the right e-invoicing software in Romania
Considering the ever-evolving nature of regulations and mandates surrounding newer technologies and platforms like RO e-Factura, it is important that your business identifies and utilises the right software. The cost of using e-invoicing software that does not update with changes to regulations is not desirable for any organisation.
Setting up e-invoicing and e-reporting in Romania with Sovos
Get in touch with a Sovos expert to explore setting up e-invoicing and e-reporting in Romania.
The future of e-invoicing in Romania has already arrived. Following the EU Council’s derogatory decision to allow Romania to implement mandatory e-invoicing, Romania published a more comprehensive B2B mandate with a 2024 roll-out date. The new law requires businesses to issue structured electronic invoices for transactions to both business and public sector entities, and it applies to established and VAT-registered entities.
The looming implementation of VAT in the Digital Age in the EU may deliver more changes in Romania, however. Aiming to digitise the European VAT system, this proposal is generating a lot of uncertainty for businesses that conduct operations in the EU as it includes requirements for digital reporting and e-invoicing – as well as changes to VAT registration
While the future of tax in the European Union may be uncertain, you can rely on Sovos to help you navigate the digital landscape. Bookmark this page to stay up to date with the latest developments.
Additional obligations for VAT compliance in Romania
While it’s important to ensure your business complies with Romania’s e-invoicing requirements should it qualify, there are other obligations that require attention – including general VAT Compliance and the Romanian SAF-T mandate.
The cost of non-compliance may be severe, but our materials and experts can be the helping hand you need to ensure you are meeting your obligations.
E-invoicing will be mandatory for all B2B transactions in Romania from 1 July 2024, adding to the existing electronic invoicing requirements for B2G and high fiscal risk B2B transactions.
Between January and June 2024, established entities are required to report their B2B invoices to the RO e-Factura platform within five days of issuance. This reporting obligation applies to VAT-registered entities from January 2024 onwards.
Should a taxpayer in scope of the e-invoicing and e-reporting mandate not comply with its e-invoicing obligations, they may receive a fine. From April 2024 (at which time the 3-month grace period ends) 2024, large non-compliant taxpayers may be fined between 5,000-10,000 RON, and others may expect a financial penalty between 500-2,500 RON, when failing to meet the e-reporting requirements set forth. From July 2024, non-compliance with the with the issuance and receipt of e-invoices will result in a fine equal to 15% of the total invoice amount.
As CTCs and e-invoicing continue to grow in global adoption, it is vital to partner with a provider that closely monitors the decisions of tax administrations and understands the regulations you face. Sovos can help.
One of the largest spirits companies in the world, Brown-Forman turned to Sovos for help with several challenges it was facing surrounding changing e-invoicing regulations. The company needed a solution that would monitor and implement the fiscal requirements of the countries it operated in.
With Sovos e-invoicing compliance in place, Brown-Forman was able to redeploy its resources to core business functions knowing that its e-invoicing requirements were being met – both in the present and the future.
The convergence of traditional Value Added Tax (VAT) and transactional compliance regimes is creating new obligations and responsibilities for companies doing business around the world. When it comes to VAT, compliance is so much more than just reporting.
Here are six pitfalls you should avoid in the pursuit of VAT compliance:
1. Making the wrong VAT decision at the outset
Companies with multijurisdictional supply chains must ensure their VAT determination decisions are accurate every time. Managing the validation process with VAT Determination software that checks validity before invoices are cut can save time and improve data accuracy from the outset.
It’s also best practice to complete your buyer VAT ID checks at this point in the process to avoid nasty surprises later. Checking manually can be incredibly resource-intensive so using a solution that can automate this for you can save both time and hassle.
2. Not having a legally valid invoice
To be considered legal for VAT purposes, invoices need to meet a specific set of requirements which vary by jurisdiction. Without legally valid invoices, you may be presented with a host of problems when the time comes to reclaim input VAT. If you have accepted an invoice that doesn’t tick the boxes that make it legal for VAT purposes, you invite the scrutiny of the tax authorities.
Aside from possible fines, the delay while anomalies are reviewed can impact your cash flow and cause reputational damage. Even in a paper world, VAT deduction is not permitted for improperly formatted invoices.
3. Missing reporting deadlines
With VAT obligations always growing and adapting, the pressure on internal tax teams is greater than ever. Each government has its own approach to penalties for late submissions or overdue payments. Manual processes can no longer be relied upon to meet the demands of the authorities on time, and with accuracy.
It’s possible to streamline the reporting process using software, outsourced services or a hybrid approach; what’s best for your business depends on how your tax team is organised.
4. Manual error
With new requirements coming thick and fast, teams are working harder and faster. As a result, opportunities for manual error are at an all-time high.
Manually processing VAT invoices can be incredibly time-consuming and leaves room for oversight and human error. Even individual errors can lead to bigger problems down the line, attracting the attention of the authorities and impacting your ability to do business.
5. Challenges with data extraction and mapping
Extracting the right data from the appropriate system modules, and then processing and mapping it so that it can be summarised, is a complicated and detailed task. To complicate matters further, each jurisdiction has its own unique reporting requirements you must meet. Automating these processes can improve accuracy and your ability to comply.
6. Not reviewing data prior to submission
Preparing VAT Returns, EC (European Commission) Sales Lists, Intrastat Declarations and other country-specific reports for regular submission can be demanding. Add in the need to prepare a SAF-T (Standard Audit File for Tax) report and the complexity intensifies. SAF-T requirements differ by country, including transactional data (about sales and purchases) and accounting data at a minimum, but often need information about assets and inventory as well.
Combining detailed data from different source systems with an exacting submission format means the report cannot be easily eyeballed to check for possible errors. Tax Authorities use software to analyse the SAF-T filings they receive and decide where to follow up with further auditing. To safeguard the quality of the submission and avoid a call from the tax authority, it’s essential that data is thoroughly analysed before it’s submitted – ideally using tools of the same calibre that each Tax Authority is using.
It’s never been more important to seek the right advice for VAT. Admitting you need help can be a daunting but crucial step, but the fear of non-compliance should be a bigger concern.
Simply put, there comes a time for every multinational organisation when managing complex tax obligations in-house just isn’t viable anymore. Consolidating your compliance with Sovos gives you access to industry-leading software, consulting services and regulatory experts, all of which are focused on ensuring you’re compliant now and will remain so in the future.
Since 2022, medium and large taxpayers in Romania have had to report their VAT electronically to the tax authority under the international standard known as SAF-T (Standard Audit File for Tax).
Romania implemented SAF-T to improve the data it receives in VAT returns, requiring more granular detail that is reported in real time. As well as benefiting the Romanian tax authority, the electronic submission of the D406 streamlines tax compliance and reporting for businesses.
The SAF-T mandate in Romania has been introduced through the amendment of the Fiscal Procedure Code, which foresees the obligation for taxpayers to submit a declaration containing information from the accounting and tax records.
The Fiscal Procedure Code also determines that the submission of the SAF-T file must be done electronically, leaving the remaining conditions to be determined by order of the ANAF.
Accordingly, ANAF has issued Order No. 1783, of 4 November 2021, which introduced the SAF-T reporting requirement from 1 January 2022. The Order provided the SAF-T Form D406, as well as the legal deadlines for submitting the various SAF-T files and the procedure and conditions for submission.
In these terms, the D406 file must be submitted electronically by generating an XML format file, which is submitted to a validation procedure, and preparing the corresponding D406 Form in PDF format.
The various SAF-T files can be submitted monthly, quarterly, annually and on-demand, depending on the VAT regime applicable to the taxpayer as well as on the type of file being submitted.
How to declare tax information with the SAF-T in Romania
Transaction and accounting data must be reported through Declaratiei Informative D406. Taxpayers are required to submit the information electronically in PDF format with an XML attachment and electronic signature.
What information must be declared to the ANAF?
The Romanian SAF-T file, the D406, is comprised of five sections:
General Ledger
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Payable
Fixed Assets
Inventory
The SAF-T D406 file to be submitted on a quarterly/monthly basis does not include information on Fixed Assets or Inventory. That data will be part of separate SAF-T files with different filling frequencies, namely the D406 Assets and the D406 Stocks.
Non-resident and small taxpayers will be required to submit a simplified SAF-T file from 2025 that will only account for the purchases and sales carried out through their Romanian VAT ID.
When to submit a SAF-T declaration in Romania
Submission deadlines for SAF-T in Romania can be monthly/quarterly, annual or on demand by the tax authorities.
Monthly or quarterly: The D406 file, except for the ‘Assets’ and ‘Stocks’ sections, shall be submitted monthly or quarterly by resident taxpayers, depending on the applicable VAT regime. The deadline for submission is the last calendar day of the month following the end of the reporting period.
Annual: The ‘Assets’ section can be submitted autonomously and must be filled annually by resident taxpayers within the deadline for submitting the annual financial statements.
On request: The ‘Stocks’ section shall be submitted only if requested by the tax authorities within the deadline established by that request, which cannot be shorter than 30 days.
Timeline of SAF-T in Romania
Romania’s implementation of SAF-T began on 1 January 2022 but only for a specific category of taxpayers. The following dates are when the SAF-T obligation applies to different types of taxpayers:
September 2021: Voluntary test period began
1 January 2022: Large taxpayers included in the tax authority’s list from 2021 must file SAF-T
1 July 2022: Large taxpayers who were not in this category on 1 January 2022 must file SAF-T
1 January 2023: Medium-sized taxpayers, financial institutions and insurance firms categorised as large taxpayers must file SAF-T
1 January 2025: Small taxpayers and non-resident taxpayers registered for VAT in Romania must file SAF-T
Understanding SAF-T D406 in Romania
The SAF-T D406 statement is required to be submitted each month or quarter to the Romanian tax authority (ANAF). The submission frequency is dependent on the company’s VAT regime, and it can either be monthly or quarterly.
There is also an annual SAF-T report under D406 – based on the taxpayer’s financial year – which includes asset information from the previous year, as well as a D406 Stock information report which is to be created based on the ANAF’s request.
The SAF-T file must be submitted electronically, through the tax authorities’ public service “Servicii online – Depunere declarații”.
Implementing SAF-T as a business
Compliance is important for businesses if they are to avoid fines and other penalties from Romania’s tax authorities. To comply with SAF-T, taxpayers must meet reporting deadlines with relevant and complete information – the use of purpose-built solutions can help with this.
Sovos SAF-T solutions can help your organization save time and effort when ensuring compliance with the mandate. Automating the process of preparing files helps not only with efficiency but also accuracy and compliance, providing peace of mind and freeing up valuable time.
For taxpayers established outside of the EU, complying with Romania’s VAT rules requires the appointment of a fiscal representative should they sell in the country. Sovos can help here too – contact us for more information.
Romania is aiming to make e-invoicing mandatory for B2B transactions of all types. Following the EU Council’s derogatory decision, allowing Romania to implement mandatory e-invoicing, Romania published a new B2B mandate with a 2024 oll-out date. The new law also introduces a new reporting system that will operate within the first six months of the introduction of the RO e-Factura e-invoicing system in July 2024. Read more in this overview about e-invoicing in Romania or take a look at this overview about VAT compliance in Romania.
SAF-T became mandatory for large resident taxpayers in Romania in January 2022, and for medium-sized resident taxpayers in January 2023. Small and non-resident taxpayers will be obligated under the SAF-T mandate in January 2025.
While SAF-T has a similar reporting format across countries, each country as its own mandatory fields. In Romania, three different declarations are submitted by taxpayers: the general D406 file, the D406 Assets and the D406 Stocks.
SAF-T in Romania currently applies to medium-sized and large resident taxpayers. Small and non-resident taxpayers will need to comply with SAF-T from 2025.
Taxpayers who fail to comply with SAF-T in Romania by not submitting the D406 report may be fined by the tax authority. There is a three-month grace period for non-submission in which no fines will be issued, but after the period a fine of 1,000-5,000 RON may be imposed. For an incorrect or incomplete submission, taxpayers may receive a fine of 500-1,500 RON.
The submission deadline for SAF-T in Romania ends on the last day of the month following the reporting period, which is either a month or a quarter for information outside of stocks and assets.The D406 Assets declaration is to be submitted within the deadline for the yearly submission of the taxpayer’s financial statements.
The D406 Stocks declaration is to be submitted on demand, within the deadline prescribed by the Tax Authorities (a minimum 30-day deadline).
Our Solution capabilities for Romania SAF-T
Data Extraction
Painlessly aggregate and consolidate data from a wide range of source systems across General Ledgers, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable (for monthly or quarterly submissions), Fixed Assets (for annual submissions) and Inventory (submitted on demand) complying with Romania’s standard tax control file, D406.
Check the accuracy, integrity and quality of complex data structures required by Romania SAF-T to give you peace of mind before you submit your D406 file to be audited by the ANAF.
Ensure that all required data sets from accounting entries, sales and purchase transactions, asset depreciation, stock movements and more, are mapped seamlessly into Romania’s D406 schema, ready to be analyzed and submitted punctually to the ANAF.
A reactive or ad hoc approach to tax compliance across the markets you do business in can mean the authorities have a better overall view of your data than your own internal teams. How confident are you that you have the same view of your data as the tax authorities?
Staying informed about VAT Reporting and SAF-T can be challenging when it requires keeping up with ever-changing and demanding regulations.
Ensuring you are well-informed about the latest updates from tax authorities is a crucial step in preparing for potential consequences.
In Sovos’ most recent quarterly update webinar on VAT Reporting and SAF-T, Regulatory Counsel Inês Carvalho explores the most recent legislative amendments and their potential impacts on your business.
During this webinar, our expert will cover:
Reporting news in Hungary, Belgium and Romania
SAF-T implementation in Bulgaria
Spain e-invoicing: What you need to know
Spain e-invoicing
Spain is one of many European countries to adopt e-invoicing for taxpayers. With several standards to comply with and additional regional VAT compliance, understanding Spain’s e-invoicing requirements can be complex.
Our regulatory experts break down what you need to know, from specific B2B and B2G standards to required formats. Bookmark this page to stay up to date with the latest e-invoicing requirements in Spain.
Electronic invoicing in Spain has been mandatory for all transactions between public administrations and their suppliers since 2015.
Businesses are under varying e-invoicing obligations depending on the nature of their transactions. Electronic invoices will soon be mandated for business-to-business (B2B) transactions, whereas business-to-government (B2G) transactions may already qualify for e-invoicing. More information on the specifics of a company’s compliance obligations can be found below.
How does e-invoicing in Spain work?
From an e-invoicing perspective, Spain is a post-audit country. There is not an e-invoice clearance requirement, but Spain has been an early adopter of the CTC method in the EU with the introduction of mandatory near real-time invoice data reporting.
Currently, Spain’s tax authority is transitioning to adopt a mandatory B2B e-invoicing requirement that will significantly affect the country’s e-invoicing process.
Spain B2B E-invoicing
Spain originally planned to launch its B2B e-invoicing mandate in July 2024 but postponed it. As the Spanish government commits to giving a year’s notice before implementing a passed law, businesses can currently expect a 2025 launch for the mandate.
The country is expected to implement B2B e-invoicing in a phased approach, with it initially affecting large taxpayers and all other taxpayers joining them a year later.
Since 2015, e-invoicing has been mandatory in Spain in the public sector. Law 25/2013 mandates that all invoices sent to public sector entities must be sent electronically and signed with an eSignature. All public entities receive invoices through one common point of entry, namely FACe.
An exception to the rule allows paper invoices to be sent to public administrations if the transaction amount is under 5,000 euros.
Timeline for e-invoicing requirements in Spain
The mandatory B2B electronic invoicing requirement will be effective according to the annual turnover of the taxpayer:
Entrepreneurs and professionals whose annual turnover exceeds €8 million will have one year after the regulatory framework is approved
For the rest of the entrepreneurs and professionals, the electronic invoicing obligation will take effect two years after the regulatory framework is approved
This timeline will be updated when official implementation dates are announced.
What is the required format for an e-invoice in Spain?
Spain’s approved e-invoicing format for B2G transactions is FacturaE and it follows the XAdES standard and uses XML signatures. The central platform to send e-invoices to public administrations is FACe, though business transactions are to be processed through web service FACeB2B.
E-invoices in Spain must comply with EN 16931 and are required to include set information, including:
QR code
VAT number
Date and time
Invoice number
Total invoice amount including taxes
Unique identification number (Número de Identificación Fiscal or NIF)
The e-invoice issuer must archive the electronic document for a minimum of six years.
Standards and communications for e-invoicing in Spain
There are several e-invoicing standards in play in Spain, governing how the process is carried out by taxpayers.
The format of e-invoices for B2G transactions must meet set standards, for example. Namely, electronic invoices must follow the FacturaE format – an XML-based national standard that is used in tandem with a secure eSignature which follows the XAdES standard.
Once e-invoicing for B2B transactions comes into effect, the format of e-invoices must comply with the EN 16931 standard. The following will be accepted:
EDIFACT invoice messages compliant with ISO 0735
UBL Invoice and Credit note messages in accordance with ISO/IEC 19845:2015
In terms of communication for e-invoicing in Spain, FACe is the singular hub for submitting electronic invoices in B2G supplies.
What else is required for full VAT compliance in Spain?
Spain is a notoriously complex country where VAT compliance is concerned. The tax authority has numerous rules in place that businesses need to be aware of to be fully compliant. For an overview read this comprehensive page about VAT compliance in Spain.
By now, you will be fully aware that tax compliance in Spain isn’t simple for many businesses. You don’t have to do things alone, though – Sovos can help, combining local tax expertise with complete compliance solutions.
EU-based companies must grapple with VAT charges on a myriad of goods transactions within the EU. As a manufacturing company, this intricate web of varying VAT rates can pose significant challenges. Choosing the right EU entry point is a pivotal decision, complicated by each country’s unique VAT regulations. Compounding the complexity, you may not always know the precise location of your goods in transit.
Manufacturers face supply chain disruptions, potentially jeopardising their already sophisticated operations. The question is, where should you commence your VAT journey?
Our VAT expert Russell Hughes guides you in this immersive webinar, where you will gain insights into:
The Current Landscape of the Manufacturing Industry
VAT Challenges and Strategies
Futureproofing Your VAT Strategy
Join us on this transformative journey through the VAT labyrinth and gain a competitive edge in the EU market. Don’t miss this opportunity to optimise your expansion strategy.
Join our insightful Insurance Premium Tax webinar where Sovos’ IPT experts James Brown and Khaled Cherif delve into the lesser-known, insurer-borne taxes in Belgium, France and Ireland. These taxes, whilst not directly charged to policyholders, can significantly impact insurers’ bottom lines.
Explore the intricate landscape of the following areas, considering the impact that they can have on insurers’ financials:
Belgium: INAMI Taxes
France: MRPF (Major Risk Prevention Fund)
Ireland: Stamp Duty
Discover the background to these taxes and how you can ensure compliance with their requirements to mitigate business risk and maximise profitability. Don’t miss this opportunity to shed light on the hidden financial burdens that can significantly affect your insurance business.
When it was announced recently that the introduction of a new French e-invoicing mandate had been delayed until September 2026 there was a collective sigh of relief amongst many in the tax and finance world. More time to adequately prepare, put systems and methodologies in place and have your business ready to be compliant from the get-go.
Sounds optimal, but let’s focus on reality. First, the reported delay is a bit deceiving. While it may not officially take effect until 2026, you only have a matter of months to get prepared to participate in the extended trial. Human nature may be to push it to the side and focus on more short-term deadlines. However, to not take advantage of the extra time provided would be shortsighted at best.
Here are five ways you can make this extra time work for you:
Take time to fully understand the mandate and how it impacts your organization. Be prepared to answer questions such as, where will e-invoicing and e-reporting data come from? Do we need to involve IT. Use this time to eliminate surprises.
Study and consider what other aspects of the business may be impacted by this mandate. Understand what other business data is required for a smooth integration and approvals. Consider confidentiality and data privacy.
Begin to align internal processes, workflows and systems in preparation for impending changes. This is your opportunity to test different approaches and workstreams to ensure a high-level of efficiency. How will you manage the process and who in your organization will have operational responsibility when extended trials go live?
The first list of officially registered service providers will go live in spring, 2024. Use this time to do your research on which service providers make sense for your organization, both during the trial period and as a potential long-term partner.
Evaluate your current compliance management strategy. As you begin working with a registered service provider through the trial period, consider how this differs from your approach to other government mandates. What can you learn from this experience and what other areas might you be able to improve upon?
Businesses will soon be able to register proactively for the pilot program, which has been designed to allow businesses to test the PDP platform. This program is intended to build knowledge and confidence and ensure businesses are on the path to readiness.
Therefore, it would be prudent to regard the delay as a mere six-month postponement, with the beginning of the pilot program acting as the de facto starting date. To understand the full impact on their business processes and data flows, companies will need to thoroughly test up to 36 use-cases.
The good news is that the many software vendors helping companies to streamline their purchase-to-pay and order-to-cash processes will be eager to test the compliance of their solutions as early as possible in what has become a completely new ecosystem.
We are proud to say that Sovos is one of the first 20 candidates for service provider (PDP) accreditation in France and as such, will be fully prepared to assist your organization through the trial process and beyond.
Take action:
Looking for more information about how to comply with the French Mandate?
Voluntary CTC e-invoicing, performed through service providers who must meet certain certification criteria
New generation cash registers which report B2C data to myDATA in real time
Recently, the introduction of an e-transport mandate was included in the country’s VAT reform strategy, although not much detail has been published yet.
More progress has been made in implementing the myDATA scheme and the new cash registers than for CTC e-invoicing. However, in the last few months, the authorities have taken steps towards setting up the right framework to make CTC e-invoicing – which is currently voluntary for B2B transactions – mandatory for all.
myDATA e-audit reform
myDATA went live as a voluntary system in 2020 and followed a gradual implementation timeline which is ongoing. It is an e-audit system that requires taxpayers to report transactional and accounting data to the tax administration, in real-time or periodically, which populates a set of online ledgers maintained on the government portal. The goal of myDATA is for the online ledgers to be the only source of truth of the taxpayer’s tax and financial results, and for their respective information to pre-fill the taxpayer’s VAT returns and financial statements.
Greece’s myDATA is a reporting obligation of ledger-type data and it is not to be confused with e-invoicing as it doesn’t require invoices to be issued and exchanged in electronic form. Greece allows for invoices (in B2B transactions) to be issued and exchanged on paper or electronically following the standard e-invoicing rules of the EU VAT Directive.
B2B e-invoicing reform in Greece
In parallel with the roll-out of myDATA, the authorities established an accreditation framework for e-invoicing service providers and introduced a voluntary e-invoicing scheme involving accredited entities. These entities are accredited by the government to perform certain functions, namely:
Issuance of invoices according to certain format and content requirements
Protection of integrity and authenticity of the invoice
Reporting to myDATA according to the specifications
Compliant archiving of e-invoices and delivery to the buyer may also be performed
To encourage the uptake of CTC e-invoicing, the government provided several incentives to businesses to use e-invoicing facilitated through accredited service providers. It also obliged businesses who opt for CTC e-invoicing to use no other methods to fulfil the myDATA requirements e.g., ERP reporting, except through accredited service providers. This implies that a business selecting CTC e-invoicing for its B2B transactions must use the same method for issuing and reporting all other invoices, including B2G transactions, and vice versa.
B2G e-invoicing reform in Greece
CTC e-invoicing became mandatory for B2G transactions on 12 September 2023 for VAT-registered suppliers to certain government agencies. The mandate will continue to roll out in phases with the next main milestone coming up in January 2024. This obligation covers the vast majority of public contracts, from defence and security to general supplies and services, with some exceptions (e.g. contracts in defence and security which are classified as secret).
With the introduction of the B2G e-invoicing mandate, the use of CTC e-invoicing has indirectly become mandatory for B2B transactions too, encompassing both issuance and reporting to myDATA. It means that businesses in the scope of the B2G e-invoicing mandate have the obligation to use CTC e-invoicing through accredited e-invoicing service providers to issue and report both their B2B and B2G e-invoice flows to myDATA.
While a B2B e-invoicing mandate cannot be introduced without prior approval by the European Commission, the Greek Ministry of Finance announced that it has started a dialogue with the Commission to discuss the conditions required to implement a nationwide mandate.
Although an ambitious timeline, the Ministry envisions a full implementation of a B2B e-invoicing mandate within 2024.
Looking ahead
Clearly, Greece’s CTC initiatives are in line with the EU paradigm shift towards increased governmental control over transactional and accounting data – it recognises the benefits of tighter tax compliance and taking steps to close its tax gap.
Significant progress has been made, with myDATA operational since 2021. With the addition of CTC e-invoicing and the e-transport mandate in the VAT reform strategy, the Greek government and businesses face a demanding period in the coming years.
E-documents or electronic documents are rapidly growing in usage across businesses of all shapes and sizes, in countries around the world.
While the automated exchange of e-documents is a relatively new phenomenon which is being adopted on a country-by-country basis, there is basic universal information that your business would benefit from understanding – and potentially utilizing.
This blog will serve as your one-stop shop for required e-document knowledge.
What is an e-document?
An e-document is an electronic transactional document or message and is typically used in an automated business process.
As the digitisation of business accelerates, so too does the use of electronic documents – whether that be an electronic invoice sent in real-time to a national tax authority or an electronic goods receipt note exchanged between companies.
The difference between electronic documents and other digital documents such as PDFs is that e-documents are machine-readable and are generally exchanged by online platforms or software.
That said, there are numerous types of e-documents and there is little standardisation as each country has its own stance and potential mandate on their adoption. The European Union has long been working on its approach to e-documents for increased interoperability with definitions and rules as part of its efforts under the eGovernment Action plan and eIDAS regulation to facilitate digital transactions and services in the EU.
In addition, the UK recently adopted the UK’s Electronic Document Trade Act which is a huge step towards the digitization of trade documents and potentially paperless global trade.
Types of e-documents
There is a wide variety of electronic documents to suit a number of applications across business, helping to streamline workflows and operations, facilitate cross-border trade and save on costs.
Other electronic documents that are used in some countries include:
E-purchase orders
E-credit & e-debit notes
E-goods receipt notes
E-payment instructions
There has been a notable implementation of e-documents in transport in recent years, with the likes of Romania adopting a system that requires taxpayers to use an electronic waybill system to obtain clearance of the transport document before the transport of goods begins. Read our dedicated blog to find out more about the global rise of e-transport documents.
One particular e-document that has had an exponential rise in utility over the past few years is the e-invoice. Electronic invoices have grown in popularity as countries develop their continuous transaction controls (CTC) and e-invoicing regulatory obligations. The likes of France, Spain and Poland all plan to introduce e-invoice mandates, requiring taxpayers to send invoices electronically.
There is a host of reasons that electronic documents can be beneficial, which explains why tax administrations globally are implementing e-document mandates.
A primary reason for the use of e-documents is that they generally allow for the automation of workflows, increasing safety, accuracy, transparency and cost-saving for the involved parties. Automating the process of generating and exchanging documentation reduces the risk of error, allows for seamless transmission of information (including to tax authorities who seek greater transparency) and reduces the reliance on paper (providing an environmental benefit).
Another reason businesses use electronic documents is simply because they are mandated to do so as part of tax digitization controls. An increasing amount of tax authorities are making it an obligation to send documents electronically, and facing a penalty due to non-compliance is not desirable. As CTC regime adoption grows, so too does the need for businesses to meet their new e-document obligations.
Compliance conditions of e-documents
The compliance conditions of e-documents vary depending on the national rules, but there are some typical conditions across regimes.
In the context of tax digitization controls, the conditions that apply to some of the most regulated e-document types, such as the e-invoice, include:
Following a specific document format (as dictated by the relevant authority)
Ensuring authenticity and integrity (through the use of e-signatures or other validation methods)
Using the tax authority’s designated online platform or software for transmission
Archival of e-documents for a specified period of time and by implementing certain security measures
The recipient must consent to receiving electronic invoices (unless e-invoicing is mandated)
Producing and storing system documentation describing the e-invoicing/archiving system and process
What’s the difference between a digital document and an electronic document?
The difference between electronic documents and digital documents is a hot topic. It’s easy to get confused between the two considering that “digital” and “electronic” are used interchangeably by many, but it’s important to understand the difference.
Digital documents are often a digital analogue of a physical document – think a scanned document, photograph, or PDF – and oftentimes are simple for people to read and digest. An example of a digital document would be an invoice sent as a PDF via email.
Electronic documents are files of data that are generated by and for computers, making them hard for people to read due to their formatting. Such data – like that seen in a structured e-invoice (e.g. XML) – is meant to be sent from one system to another without interference from humans.
How Sovos can help
Sovos’ software allows businesses to manage CTC obligations, including e-invoicing compliance and archiving.
As the world continues its digitisation, it’s important to stay on top of evolving regulations and to keep up with best practices for your business. Working with Sovos, your business can:
Automate processes
Reduce the cost of compliance
Minimise the need for ad hoc IT involvement
Stop worrying about ever-changing formats, processes and obligations
Increase efficiency by saving time, eliminating manual updates and enhancing accuracy
How can manufacturers navigate the ever-evolving and increasingly complex world of value added tax (VAT)? There are several, key ways to evaluate your current and future approach to VAT, maintaining compliance the entire way.
1. Ensure alignment between IT and tax teams
Far too often we have seen IT-centric processes miss (or at least misunderstand) key compliance needs and requirements, and tax-centric processes fail to consider the practicalities of automation. Both tax and IT must realise that they will need each other for ongoing maintenance and solution expansion initiatives.
2. Continually establish and evolve processes to share up-to-date compliance documentation
Organisations would be well served to establish and share solid documentation around their compliance protocols and conduct periodic reviews to ensure they are continuing to do what is necessary to minimise audit risk and keep their company safe.
3. Recognise the consequences of non-compliance
There are both tactical and strategic questions at play here, and manufacturers must make thoughtful business decisions around how to handle the level of VAT compliance requirements that their operations demand. Increased audit volume is coming, so the industry has to commit to effectively and efficiently meeting the ever-growing compliance obligations of e-invoicing and periodic reporting.
4. Regularly review your indirect tax strategy
Although you may have an indirect tax strategy in place, make sure to evaluate how effective your current strategy is, especially as requirements are undergoing significant changes in so many jurisdictions. Is your strategy sufficiently up-to-date to ensure it efficiently and accurately addresses current and upcoming compliance obligations and is scalable to seamlessly meet the rapidly evolving needs business will face tomorrow.
5. Use automation and cloud-based solutions
Digital identity verification and transaction management frees your organisation from regulatory friction and our intelligent solutions integrate with your processes to ensure valid and future-proof transactions.
Sovos helps you remain focused on your central business by reducing the friction of complex tax digitisation mandates. We take a future-facing approach to indirect tax compliance with intelligent tools that provide insights for a competitive advantage.
When considering motor insurance, it’s worth remembering that everything is high – from tax rates to the amount of administration required.
This blog includes general information about the taxation of motor insurance policies in Europe, covering the types of applicable taxes, how they are calculated, vehicle exemptions and more. We also have blogs for some of the more complex taxation requirements in the region, written by our regulatory experts.
Guarantee Fund Contributions Are Not Payable by Foreign Insurers
The Amendment to the Sixth Motor Insurance Directive, also known as the “MID,” was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 2 December 2021. MID relates to insurance against civil liability in relation to the use of motor vehicles and the enforcement of the obligation to insure against such liability.
The measures of the Directive 2021/2118 (the “Amendment”), which was signed on 24 November 2021, must be transposed into national law by 23 December 2023, at the latest.
Effects of the amendment
Among other important measures, this Amendment is relevant to insurance premium taxation. Two new articles were added to the MID regarding the contributions that may be payable by the insurance companies to the national guarantee funds.
According to Article 10a and Article 25a, every EU Member State is required to ensure that there are sufficient resources available to compensate injured parties in a motor vehicle accident where the relevant insurer is subject to bankruptcy or winding-up proceedings. The insurers may be required to contribute financially to these funds, but only insurance companies authorised by the Member State that imposed the payments may be subject to these levies.
In practice, the measures mean that contributions to the national guarantee funds related to compulsory third-party motor liability insurance policies cannot be collected from foreign insurers that write businesses on a freedom of services (FoS) basis. Since there is a requirement for the implementation of these measurements coming into national law by 23 December 2023, legally no guarantee fund contributions are payable by foreign insurers as of 24 December 2023.
Some governments, including Denmark and Ireland, have already started to draft the necessary regulations and incorporate them into their national laws. Others will likely follow shortly as there are under two months available for the implementation of these rules, at the time of the publication of this update. Perhaps several annual budgets will include the necessary legislative changes to comply with the measurements of the Amendment.
If you would like to receive further information about the guarantee fund contributions, please contact our IPT experts.
Insurance coverage in Europe on motor-related risks
According to Annex 1 of the Directive 2009/138/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of the EU, often known as the Solvency II Directive, motor vehicle insurance policies are classified as Class 3 Land vehicles (other than railway rolling stocks).
This business category covers any damage or loss to:
Land motor vehicles
Land vehicles other than motor vehicles
Class 10 Motor Vehicle Liability is another business class that covers motor-related risks. This business class covers all risks associated with liabilities deriving from the operation of motor vehicles on land.
A third-party motor vehicle insurance coverage guarantees that if an accident happens and/or damage occurs to another person’s vehicle, the expenses of the accident or damage are covered by the insurer of the person who caused the accident or damage.
We must not forget Directive 2009/103/EC on civil liability insurance for motor vehicles which governs mandatory motor insurance policies throughout Europe. One of the directive’s main principles is that all motor vehicles in the EU must have third-party liability insurance.
We should also mention that the European Parliament and the Council adopted the Directive (EU) 2021/2118 on 24 November 2021, aiming to modernise and amend the aforementioned directive with a deadline for the transposition of 31 December 2023.
In this blog, we outline the main characteristics of the taxation of motor-related insurance policies.
Which taxes are payable in relation to motor insurance policies?
Premiums derived from motor-related policies are often subject to several types of insurance premium taxes. Class 3 risks are primarily subject to insurance premium tax (IPT), whereas mandatory third-party liability (MTPL) policies are subject to a wide range of taxes.
This may include IPT and/or payments to guarantee funds, as well as additional levies, charges, or contributions such as:
INAMI Red Cross contributions in Belgium
The green card fee in Spain
The Emergency Fund (EMER) and Road Accident Victims Fund (RAVH) in Italy
There is also the traffic safety fee, Automobile Rente (CAR) payment, automobile insurance bureau levy and rescue tax. This list goes on.
The disclosure and payment rules are also diverse. These fees can be paid yearly, monthly, quarterly or in instalments – with or without prepayments or final adjustments.
How taxes on vehicle insurance policies are calculated
If IPT is charged on the motor hull or the MTPL policies, it is typically based on the premium amounts received, with the tax being a percentage of the premium. This is not the case in Austria, for example, where the computation of MTPL taxes is complicated.
The tax is calculated based on the engine’s horsepower and CO2 emissions. It also varies depending on the registration date of the vehicle, the frequency of payment and whether the 2017/1151 EU law applies to the vehicle. On top of that, no payment is due if the size of the engine does not reach 24kW or 65 kW. Contrary to the Austrian example, the IPT rate in Hungary is 23% – based on the premium amount.
Contributions to the Guarantee Fund are typically calculated as a percentage of the premium, as in France, Greece or Sweden. However, this fee can also be fixed as it is in Denmark, for example.
What vehicles are exempt from tax?
Most countries exempt premium amounts from policies covering motor hull or MTPL risks based on the following:
Who uses the vehicle
Why the vehicle is used
Environmental reasons
If the vehicle is operated by the authorities – such as police vehicles, fire trucks, or ambulances – or the armed services, it is typically exempt. Cars driven by disabled individuals and buses used for public transportation are likewise excluded in most cases. Insurance policies covering electric or hybrid vehicles may be excluded as well.
How Sovos can help with Insurance Premium Tax on vehicle tax
Sovos can provide advice on motor-related insurance premium taxation. Our compliance team may be able to help you in settling IPT in various countries across Europe, contact us today.
5 Questions Every Non-EU Manufacturer Must Ask when trading in the EU
With the rate of change in tax digitization not set to slow down any time soon, it’s more important than ever to keep up with what’s happening where you do business.
This quarter, our VAT Snapshot webinar looks in detail at CTC and e-invoicing implementation timelines across six different countries.
Join Dilara İnal and Carolina Silva from our Regulatory Analysis and Design team for an examination of scope, key timelines and essential milestones for compliance across these jurisdictions.
The webinar will cover:
Germany – Introduction of a new CTC mandate for mandatory e-invoicing
Malaysia – Key features and the phased implementation of the upcoming CTC mandate
Israel – Scope of the new clearance regime, and details on the ‘pilot programme’ rollout
Croatia – Scope of the new e-invoicing and CTC reporting system
France – Recent changes to the timeline and a closer look at some of the key features that make up the French mandate
Poland – Core details for the forthcoming July 2024 e-invoicing mandate
As always, please bring your questions for our experts in the Q&A at the end.
Stay up to date with the evolving landscape of tax mandates by registering today.
Intrastat thresholds are value thresholds which decide if companies in an EU Member State qualify to file a return to tax authorities, based on their intra-community trading. These thresholds change annually, prompting businesses to conduct an annual recalculation to know their obligations.
This blog contains all the Intrastat reporting thresholds for 2024, as well as important information for businesses trading within the EU. It will be updated to reflect any changes as soon as they are implemented.
Level up your Intrastat knowledge with our handy Intrastat guide, which covers reporting requirements, returns and declarations, commodity codes, how Sovos can help and more.
What are Intrastat thresholds?
Intrastat thresholds are annual value thresholds that decide whether businesses must declare their intra-EU trades to the relevant national tax authorities.
While Intrastat is based on a European Union regulation, Member States have implemented the rule differently. As such, companies trading across the EU must be aware of the exemption threshold for each country they trade in – whether that’s acquiring or dispatching goods.
When a business exceeds the threshold in a Member State, it must continue to file Intrastat returns with the country until the applicable January-to-December period has concluded.
How can I calculate Intrastat thresholds?
Intrastat thresholds must be calculated each year as they change annually, and there are separate values for arrivals and dispatches.
To make it easy for your business, we have listed all the Intrastat thresholds below in a table – country-by-country. Find out whether your company needs to file an Intrastat return in EU Member States where you do business.
Intrastat thresholds in 2024
The current Intrastat thresholds have been in place since the beginning of the year. They are due to change again in 2025. For the current applicable thresholds for your business, view the table below.
The table will be kept updated with the latest threshold values.
Country
Arrivals
Dispatches
Austria
EUR 1.1 million
EUR 1.1 million
Belgium
EUR 1.5 million
EUR 1 million
Bulgaria
BGN 1.65 million
BGN 1.9 million
Croatia
EUR 400.000
EUR 300.000
Cyprus
EUR 320.000
EUR 75.000
Czech Republic
CZK 15 million
CZK 15 million
Denmark
DKK 41 million
DKK 11.3 million
Estonia
EUR 700.000
EUR 350.000
Finland
EUR 800.000
EUR 800.000
France
No threshold
No threshold
Germany
EUR 800.000
EUR 500.000
Greece
EUR 150.000
EUR 90.000
Hungary
HUF 270 million
HUF 150 million
Ireland
EUR 500.000
EUR 635.000
Italy
EUR 350.000 (goods)
EUR 100.000 (services)
No threshold
Latvia
EUR 350.000
EUR 200.000
Lithuania
EUR 550.000
EUR 400.000
Luxembourg
EUR 250.000
EUR 200.000
Malta
EUR 700
EUR 700
Netherlands
The Netherlands have abolished the Intrastat threshold. Intrastat has become a report to submit “on demand” of the Dutch authorities.
The Netherlands have abolished the Intrastat threshold. Intrastat has become a report to submit “on demand” of the Dutch authorities.
Poland
PLN 6.2 million
PLN 2.8 million
Portugal
EUR 600.000
EUR 600.000
Romania
RON 1 million
RON 1 million
Slovakia
EUR 1 million
EUR 1 million
Slovenia
EUR 220.000
EUR 270.000
Spain
EUR 400.000
EUR 400.000
Sweden
SEK 15 million
SEK 4.5 million
United Kingdom
GBP 500.000
GBP 250.000
Intrastat threshold exemptions and exceptions
Businesses that trade within an EU Member State but at figures lower than those listed in the above table are not required to file Intrastat returns. There are additional nuances that exist on a country-by-country basis that may change the obligations of a company.
The Netherlands removed its threshold in 2023. Its tax authorities will notify taxpayers subject to submitting Intrastat returns. They monitor intra-community transactions performed by domestic taxpayers monthly.
Italy and France differ from other countries as it has combined Intrastat returns and ECSL returns into a single declaration.
If you are interested in learning more about European VAT compliance, download our free eBook.
How Sovos can help with Intrastat
Sovos’ Advanced Periodic Reporting (APR) is a cloud solution. It mitigates the risks and costs of compliance, futureproofing and streamlining the handling of your periodic reporting – including Intrastat.
Our solution automates, centralises and standardises the preparation, reconciliation, amendment and validation of summary reports to make meeting your obligations simple.
Intrastat is an obligation created in 1993 that applies to certain businesses that trade internationally in the European Union. Specifically, it relates to the movement of goods – arrivals and dispatches – across EU Member States.
The requirements of Intrastat remain similar across the EU, though certain Member States have implemented rules differently. As a result, it can be confusing when trading cross-border in the region.
From reports and returns to thresholds and specific codes, knowing what applies to your business and how to comply is important. Consider this your go-to guide to understand Intrastat rules, requirements, reporting and terminology.
Intrastat reporting
Intrastat reporting largely involves statistics but does occasionally require fiscal data. The information needed depends on the threshold of the EU Member State that your business is established within.
The mandatory data in Intrastat reports were originally regulated by Article 9 of Regulation (EC) No 638/2004, which is no longer in force, though it also lists optional elements for reporting consistency across the EU. Typical data requirements included:
The nature of transaction (NoTC)
The value and quantity of the goods
The VAT number of the reporting party
The reference period (in MM/YY format)
The Member State goods are dispatched to or from
Intrastat code (also known as commodity code or Combined Nomenclature)
The trade flow (dispatch/arrival)
In 2022, a project for the modernisation of Intrastat was introduced, Regulation (EC) No 638/2004 was abolished, and a new Regulation 2019/2152 entered into force. In addition to the data mentioned above, it made the following information mandatory in all Member States:
The country of origin of the goods
The EU VAT number identification of the partner operator in the country of arrival
Optionally, Member States can also opt to ask for:
Mode of transport
Delivery terms
Intrastat return
An Intrastat return, also known as an Intrastat declaration, replaced customs declarations in 1993 to serve as the source of trade statistics within the European Union.
These returns provide the European Commission, as well as EU National Customs Authorities, with detailed insights into the goods being traded in the European Union. Due to the information required in the declarations, authorities can identify the kinds of goods that are circulating, as well as the volume of such goods.
If a company does not submit Intrastat returns when qualifying to do so it might be liable to hefty fines.
It’s important to understand how Intrastat works with other compliance obligations in general, such as submitting VAT returns, recapitulative statements (EC Sales Lists) and, notably for e-commerce sellers in the EU, schemes like Union OSS.
Do I need to submit an Intrastat return?
Intrastat returns are required when your business dispatches goods to or acquires goods from another EU Member State when the value exceeds the country’s threshold. Each Member State sets the deadline for the submission of declarations to its respective national tax authority.
In Germany, for example, applicable businesses must report every month, with each declaration required within 10 days after the end of the reporting period ending. This can be done online or through the Germany statistics authority portal.
Your business should check the value of goods traded within EU Member States for the past year to see whether they exceed national thresholds.
Intrastat thresholds
Qualifying thresholds dictate whether a business must register for Intrastat or not. These thresholds must be calculated each year, with each EU Member State having its own figure that changes annually.
When a threshold is exceeded in a country, businesses should continue to file Intrastat returns until the applicable January-December period is complete.
Read our blog for a comprehensive Intrastat threshold table containing each country’s qualifying figure.
Intrastat numbers
Otherwise known as commodity codes or Combined Nomenclature (CN), Intrastat numbers are part of a system allowing authorities to identify the types of goods traded across the European Union. The requirements for Intrastat numbers are largely the same across EU Member States, with just a few exceptions.
These numbers, or codes, are part of an eight-digit system that is comprised of Harmonized System (HS) codes and EU subdivisions. They contain complete nomenclature for the description of goods and are subject to annual revisions, ensuring they are up to date with technology and trading patterns.
Sovos’ SAP Framework for periodic reports including Intrastat takes care of the extraction of data required to generate periodic reporting for businesses. Sovos’ solution generates compliant Intrastat reports by extracting data from required SAP modules. Using SAP with this add-on provides a framework for periodic returns including Intrastat, EC Sales Lists and SAF-T.
In turn, this increases the ease of compliance and reduces the risk of penalties from incorrect filings – producing cost and time savings for your business.
Intrastat returns are still required by businesses registered for VAT in the UK, even after Brexit, with respect to supplies of goods from the EU into Northern Ireland and vice-versa.
Who needs to file Intrastat?
Businesses in the EU that trade goods with other EU countries – whether they’re dispatched or received – need to file Intrastat returns if the annual trade value exceeds the applicable country’s threshold.
What is Intrastat reporting in Europe?
Intrastat is a system which allows the European Union to track traded goods between its Member States. It was devised to replace customs reporting on the movement of goods within the EU, which stopped in 1993.
What is an Intrastat code?
Intrastat divides goods into categories that are identified by eight-digit codes. These categories are typically referred to as Intrastat codes, commodity codes or Combined Nomenclature (CN).
The speed at which regulations and requirements evolve can make it difficult to stay abreast of VAT Reporting and SAF-T.
Remaining knowledgeable about recent changes enforced by tax authorities is the initial stride towards readiness for repercussions.
In Sovos’ most recent quarterly update webinar on VAT Reporting and SAF-T, Inês Carvalho, Regulatory Counsel, delves into the freshest legislative revisions concerning VAT reporting and SAF-T and the potential implications for your business.
In this webinar, our expert will cover updates on:
Reporting news for Belgium, France and Switzerland
With new requirements coming thick and fast, teams are working harder and faster. As a result, opportunities for manual error are at an all-time high.
Extracting the right data from the appropriate system modules, and then processing and mapping it so that it can be summarised, is a complicated and detailed task. To complicate matters further, each jurisdiction has its own unique reporting requirements you must meet. Automating these processes can improve accuracy and your ability to comply.
Preparing VAT Returns, EC (European Commission) Sales Lists, 
