Luxembourg VAT Requirements

Luxembourg to implement SAF-T and e-invoicing

Luxembourg is one of many European countries to implement SAF-T and e-invoicing to provide greater visibility into a wide range of business, accounting and tax data.

Luxembourg introduced SAF-T requirements in 2011. In 2019 the country introduced an e-invoicing legislation.

Luxembourg is part of the EU single market economy and falls under the EU VAT regime. The EU issues VAT Directives laying out the principles of how the VAT regime should be adopted by Member States. These Directives take precedent over any local legislation.

VAT law within the country is administered by the Administration de l’Enregistrement et des Domaines and is contained within the General Tax Code.

Have questions? Get in touch with a Sovos Luxembourg VAT compliance expert.

Quick facts on Luxembourg's e-invoicing

  • Just like in any other EU Member State, e-invoicing is permitted in Luxembourg, subject to the buyer accepting the exchange of electronic invoices.

  • Businesses must ensure integrity of invoice content and authenticity of origin for their invoices.  Integrity and authenticity can be proved using Advanced Electronic Signatures, ‘proper EDI’ with an interchange agreement based on the EC 1994 recommendation, and Business Controls-based Audit Trail.

  • In May 2019, Luxembourg adopted legislation about e-invoicing in public procurement following the EU Directive 2014/55/EU. The Directive states that e-invoices will continue to be exchanged voluntarily by suppliers to the government and the centralised PEPPOL access point will continue to be used.

  • Prior authorisation is required before outsourcing to a service provider – written authorisation is recommended.

  • Invoices stored in electronic form must have evidence of their integrity and authenticity stored electronically as well.

  • E-invoices may only be stored in EU Member States (or other countries) of which Luxembourg has signed a mutual tax assistance treaty – prior to notification and access.

  • VAT returns may be filed monthly, quarterly or annually electronically through Luxembourg’s online platform (eCDF) via PDF or XML format. Alternatively, annual filings can be made either in electronic format through the portal or via sending a paper copy of the VAT return to the requisite tax office.

  • To submit tax returns electronically, taxpayers must ensure the service provider they use is certified within eCDF.

Luxembourg’s SAF-T reforms

Officially implemented in 2011, Luxembourg’s Standard Audit File for Tax (SAF-T) is locally known as Fichier Audit Informatisé AED (FAIA).

Businesses must, if requested, submit their financial data electronically in a format that is compliant with AED electronic audit file specifications (i.e., in the specified FAIA format). Only resident businesses subject to the Luxembourg Standard Chart of Accounts must file the FAIA.

Mandate rollout dates for Luxembourg SAF-T and e-invoicing

2011 – Introduction of SAF-T, known as Fichier Audit Informatisé AED (FAIA)

2019 – Adoption of e-invoicing legislation in public procurement with 2014/55/EU Directive

How can Sovos help with VAT compliance?

Need help to ensure your business stays compliant with evolving e-invoicing, reporting and SAF-T obligations in Luxembourg?

Keeping up with VAT compliance obligations has become more difficult as Luxembourg continues to take steps to reduce its VAT gap and modernise the system.

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 changing SAF-T and VAT obligations can help companies stay compliant.