Paraguay’s New E-invoicing System: All Updates You Need To Know

Update: 05 January 2023 by Andres Landerretche

More taxpayers join the Electronic Invoicing System of Paraguay (SIFEN)

Since Paraguay started implementing its National Integrated System of Electronic Invoicing (SIFEN) plan in 2017, the Undersecretary of State for Taxation of Paraguay (SET) has carried out the process.

The different phases are:

1. Pilot plan
2. Voluntary phase
3. Mandatory implementation

Due to the arrival of SET resolution 105/21, numerous companies have been voluntarily incorporated into the system. This is to prepare for mandatory electronic invoicing in 2023. SET resolution 105/21 provides measures for the issuance of electronic tax documents and an implementation calendar for 10 groups of taxpayers.

More than 80 million electronic documents have been issued since the system started operating. With resolution 105/2021 coming into force, it is expected that over 5,000 taxpayers must issue their receipts electronically by 2023.

How the SIFEN Works

The SIFEN is oriented towards large and medium-sized invoice issuers, whether they join voluntarily or are mandatorily designated by the Sub-Secretary of State for Taxation (SET).

The system contemplates two moments in its operation flow:

1. Commercial operation with electronic documents
2. Transmission of electronic documents to the SET

In the first moment, because of the commercial operation, the obliged taxpayer issues the digitally signed electronic document and sends it to the buyer or receiver in XML format. The issuer must make available a graphic representation of the document (KuDE) that supports the transaction in a physical or digital format if the buyer or recipient is not operating under the SIFEN.

The second moment comprises taxpayers’ transmission of the digitally signed XML document to the SET for its approval process.

SIFEN’s operating model is deferred, meaning that the issuer of an electronic invoice must transmit the electronic documents in an XML file for their respective validation. This needs completing within 72 hours of the electronic document’s signature – any later and it will be considered as extemporaneous transmission and subject to penalties.

Electronic documents acquire the nature of Electronic Tax Documents (DTE) with legal validity and tax incidence once signed and authorised by the Tax Administration by means of an approval transaction number.

Mandatory and Voluntary Adoption

Resolution 105/2021 expands the list of those required to advance with the mass use of electronic invoicing, establishing the dates from which 10 groups of taxpayers must electronically issue all tax documents.

In accordance with the calendar established by the resolution, the companies participating in the pilot phase and voluntary adhesion became mandatory for electronic invoicing as of 1 July 2022.

The other taxpayers made up of groups 3 to 10 must implement electronic invoicing according to the schedule that begins with group 3 on January 2 January 2023, and ends with Group 10 on 1 October 2024.

More information on the taxpayer groups is available on the SIFEN web portal.

Voluntary adoption is possible for all taxpayers who wish to issue invoices electronically via the SIFEN. The minimum requirements are for companies to use software that integrates with the SIFEN and holds a valid Digital Signature certification.

Still have questions about Paraguay e-invoicing? Speak to our team of experts.

Update: 25 March 2022 by Victor Duarte

Paraguay’s New E-invoicing System to Gradually Become Mandatory From July 2022

The electronic invoicing system in Paraguay has been in development since 2017 according to the plan carried out by the Undersecretary of State for Taxation (SET) to modernise and improve tax collection and minimise the incidence of tax fraud.

The introduction of the Integrated National Electronic Invoicing System (Es. Sistema Integrado de Facturación Electrónica Nacional -SIFEN –) meant the introduction of a new e-invoicing regime in the country. The adoption of this new system is currently in its voluntary adhesion phase, which began in 2019, and has allowed entrepreneurs, merchants, and companies to issue e-invoices optionally. However, from July 2022, the use of the system will gradually become mandatory for certain taxable persons.

Electronic Tax Document types

Taxpayers in Paraguay can use the SIFEN to issue Electronic Tax Documents (Es. Documento Tributario Electrónico – DTE). The DTE is a digital version of the invoice and other traditional documents, which has tax and legal validity. The DTE has become a modern, effective, secure and transparent form to issue and manage e-invoices for distinct types of business operations.

The DTEs are validated upon issuance by the SAT to support the VAT deductions and transactions related to income tax. Among the distinct types of DTE in Paraguay, we find:

• Electronic sales documents:
  • Electronic invoice
  • Export electronic invoice
  • Import electronic invoice
• Complementary electronic documents:
  • Electronic self-invoicing
  • Electronic debit note
  • Electronic credit note

The DTE issuance process

The e-invoices issued by the taxable persons that have adhered to the SIFEN are generated in XML format. The authenticity and integrity of each document are guaranteed through the digital signature and the control code that DTEs include. Each document must be sent electronically to the tax administration for its clearance.

The SIFEN is responsible for verifying and validating each document. Once it is established that the DTE meets all the requirements, it becomes a legal e-invoice. The taxable persons issuing the e-invoice then receive the verification results through the web service system.

After the e-invoice is cleared, suppliers can send the DTE to their buyers via email, data messaging or other means.

Paraguay E-invoicing mandate roll-out

The Paraguayan Undersecretary of State for Taxation recently published a General Resolution providing administrative measures for the issuance of DTEs. This resolution also established a phased schedule of implementation, in which certain taxable persons will be required to issue e-invoices and other DTEs using the SIFEN.

The implementation schedule consists of ten stages starting on 1 July 2022 with all taxpayers who joined the pilot program to adopt the SIFEN. From January 2023, the mandate will include more taxpayers. However, it is not yet defined which companies will start in that stage. The SET aims to cover all taxpayers carrying out economic activities in the country by October 2024.

What’s next

Companies in Paraguay must get ready to issue e-invoices under the requirements of the SIFEN. From 1 July 2022, all companies in the country will be able to use this system voluntarily. The list of taxpayers required to comply with the mandate will be available on the SIFEN website and on the SET website (www.set.gov.py). The SET will notify affected taxpayers via the Paraguayan Tax Mailbox known as “Marandu.”