Sometime in 2022, the Belgian government will introduce a draft bill with more details about how the mandatory B2B e-invoice will be implemented.

More than a decade ago, we experienced an e-invoice boom in Latin America. Now this trend has arrived in Europe. And the last country to adopt this trend is Belgium. Through its Ministry of Finance, Belgium has confirmed that, sooner than later, the use of B2B e-invoices will be mandatory in all its territory.

The government is already working on the draft bill, which will specify the schedule of application and technical details of the system. We expect the draft bill to be introduced sometime in 2022, at which time it will be debated and possible modifications may be made.

What do we know right now?

The application of the mandatory B2B electronic invoice is expected to be phased in. Large companies will be the first ones required to adopt it. On the other hand, medium and small sized companies will have more time to adapt to the new regulation.

As far as the model to follow, everything suggests that Belgium will decide to use a clearance model, as has been done by countries like Italy and France. In the clearance model, electronic invoices are first sent to the public administration to be validated. This way, the government has real time control of the B2B e-invoices that are issued in the country.

Technically speaking, the invoices must be issued in a structured format that is yet to be determined. This way, integration with government systems as well as company management systems is guaranteed.

The aim of this new regulation is to fight against tax fraud. According to the EU “VAT gap”, tax fraud in Belgium could amount to as much as 3,600 million each year.

Current state of the electronic invoice in Belgium

Currently companies can use the B2B e-invoice as long as the issuer as well as the receiver agree to use this method. It is also essential that control systems are implemented for issuing, receiving and storing e-invoices. When this system is used, hard copies of the invoices do not need to be printed.

If you want to stay ahead of the legislation and implement electronic invoicing at your company, please contact Voxel. We are experts in electronic invoicing in the travel sector with more than 20 years of experience helping companies digitize their invoicing processes. Please contact us at info@voxelgroup.net.

La entrada Belgium confirms their intention to adopt a mandatory B2B e-invoice se publicó primero en Voxel - Blog.

The new coalition government has confirmed their intention to adopt a mandatory B2B electronic invoice for the entire country in the next few years.

One of the first things the newly established coalition government has done is decide to adopt a mandatory B2B electronic invoicing system in Germany. The main objective of this measure, which does not yet have an implementation date, is to fight against tax fraud.

Germany has a lot of work ahead of them in terms of defining this mandatory measure and how it will be implemented. However, the German government has already expressed their intention to adopt a model similar to the SdI model in Italy or the French model. These countries have opted for establishing a clearance system, where taxpayers send their invoices to the public administration, who in turn validates them in real time before sending them to the receiver.

Implementing a B2B electronic invoicing system in Germany will be a challenge since the 16 federal states have their own system. For this reason, in the next few months we will see very significant progress in this area.

State of the electronic invoice in Germany

Currently, the B2B electronic invoice in Germany is not mandatory but companies that want to can use it for their internal processes.

Likewise, and in accordance with European Directive 2014/55/EU, public administration suppliers have been required to use electronic invoicing for their transactions with government agencies (B2G) since 27 November 2020.

To comply with the European Directive, each federated state has had the freedom to establish their own model, as long as it follows the minimum guidelines set out in the German law on electronic invoices, E-Rechnungs-Gesetz. For more information on how the B2G electronic invoice works in Germany, please click here.

B2B electronic invoicing in Europe

Recently we are seeing how many countries in Europe are working to implement the B2B mandatory electronic invoice in their country. First, it was Italy and more recently France, Poland and Spain, among other countries. This has become an unstoppable trend that requires public administrations and private companies to modernize their invoicing systems.

The implementation of the electronic invoice is a unique opportunity to digitize the processes of a company, optimize their operation and save time and money.

baVel is the leading electronic invoicing platform in the travel sector worldwide and in the HORECA channel in Spain. If you want to know how we can help you implement the B2B electronic invoicing at your company, please send us an email at info@voxelgroup.net and an expert from our team will contact you.

La entrada A mandatory B2B electronic invoice moves forward in Germany se publicó primero en Voxel - Blog.

La entrada Electronic invoicing: legislative developments for 2022 se publicó primero en Voxel - Blog.

In 2019, Italy was the first country in the European Union to implement mandatory e-invoicing through the SdI.

Two years later, the country has again asked the European Union for permission to continue implementing this regulation until 31 December 2024. For the time being, the European Commission has given its approval. All that remains now is the final decision of the European Council, which is expected to be very favourable.

In this way, Italian companies will continue to use electronic invoices for all their transactions. Also to communicate in real time with the Agenzia delle Entrate through the Sistema di Intercambio (SdI).

Thus, Italy successfully consolidates the e-invoicing model that many European countries are trying to copy.

Italy’s reasons for extending the SdI system

One of the main reasons for Italy’s push to extend the SdI and e-invoice was to fight tax evasion. Three years later, the Italian government claims to have collected more than 2 billion euros in VAT and reduced tax fraud.

Businesses have also benefited from this legislative change. The imposition of electronic invoicing has forced them to take a further step in the digital transformation of their business, digitising and automating one of the most important back-office processes: the issuing and receipt of invoices.

A bit of history…

The Legge di Bilancio, drafted in 2018, was the starting signal for mandatory B2B e-invoicing in Italy. In it, it was established that as of 1 January 2019 all invoices issued by Italian companies should be electronic. The format was also defined, in this case XML. And the model: clearance. In this way, the Agenzia delle Entrate was to receive all invoices in real-time before the invoice recipient. For invoices with foreign receivers, Italy created the esterometro.

Subsequently, Italy also eliminated the esterometro, unifying the transmission of all invoices through the SdI.

Europe copies Italy

Following the success of the Italian model, many EU countries are designing similar systems. One example is France. France will impose the use of e-invoicing progressively from 2023 to 2025, taking the SdI as an example.

Another example is Poland, which has recently started the voluntary period for the use of e-invoicing in the business-to-business (B2B) sphere and is expected to make it compulsory by 2023. Poland has also adopted a clearance model through the FSeF system.

And Spain has recently joined the list of countries intending to extend the use of B2B e-invoicing. However, the legislation has not yet been adapted in this country.

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La entrada SdI remains in Italy until 2024, at least se publicó primero en Voxel - Blog.

What’s new in e-invoicing in Bulgaria, Slovakia and Hungary.

We have said it many times before: e-invoicing is a global trend. Countries all over the world are making rapid progress in order not to be left behind. A good example of this is the United States, as we reported a few weeks ago. However, today on the blog, we will focus on the innovations published by three European countries: Bulgaria, Slovakia and Hungary.

Electronic invoicing in Bulgaria

The Bulgarian Tax Agency has opened a public consultation on the implementation of electronic invoicing in the country. The results of this consultation are expected to be published before the end of the year. This is a first step, far from a real implementation, which could come as of 2023.

Following other models in Europe, such as Italy or France, Bulgaria wants to adopt a clearance model for electronic invoicing. In this model, companies must wait for validation by the tax authority for an invoice to be valid.

Currently, in Bulgaria, the use of electronic invoicing is allowed, as long as there is an agreement between the customer and the supplier.

E-invoicing in Slovakia

Slovakia has been working for some time on an e-invoicing model for the country.

The proposed law is expected to be published in the first months of 2022.

The Ministry of Finance has created a website about the e-invoicing initiative in the country. From it, we know that there will be a unified process of electronic circulation of invoices. Also a unified process of sending structured invoice data to the financial administration. This will be implemented through an information and communication solution called “informačný systém elektronickej fakturácie”.

The system will support both the issuing and receiving of electronic invoices. And it will facilitate the creation of structured invoices by foreign suppliers.

Technically, the e-invoice system is expected to be UBL 2.1 and CII D16B.

Details of the implementation dates have also been published:

• January 2022 for the public domain (B2G).
• January 2023 for B2B and B2C.

The situation in Hungary

In Hungary there is no specific regulation for the use of mandatory e-invoicing. However, an immediate reporting system (RTIR) is in place.

Through this system, all taxpayers in the country must complete the report periodically.

Since November 2021, the information collected by the RTIR is used to prepare the Hungarian VAT return drafts.

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La entrada E-invoicing in Europe: Bulgaria, Slovakia and Hungary se publicó primero en Voxel - Blog.

The entry into force of electronic invoicing in France is delayed.

The Direction Générale des Finances Publiques (DGFiP) approved the Budget Law at the end of 2020. In it, the government established the obligation to use electronic invoicing in France in the B2B environment by 2023.

Gradually, France has been publishing details about this invoicing model. One of the most relevant is the model that the country will use. It is a clearance model in which companies must communicate in real-time with the country’s tax authorities.

For companies, this implies a technical adaptation that involves an investment of resources and time.

This is why the DGFiP has decided to give French companies more time and to modify the initial electronic invoicing implementation schedule.

New dates for the obligation

The new timetable for implementing electronic invoicing in France is as follows:

• Large companies: 1 July 2024. Large companies are defined as those with more than 5,000 employees and a turnover of more than 1,5000 million euros.
• Medium-sized companies: 1 January 2025.
• Small companies: 1 January 2026. Small companies are defined as those with fewer than 250 employees and a turnover of less than 50 million euros.

Thus, the French government has given an extra year to adapt to the obligation.

New e-Reporting system

In parallel to the introduction of electronic invoicing in France, the DGFiP has set up a new e-Reporting system. In e-Reporting, companies must report their transactions periodically to the corresponding tax authority.

This new system is designed for companies that carry out international transactions, both B2C and B2B.

Thus, most companies will have to send this report within 4 days from the end of the week. Companies taxed under a special tax regime will have to submit the e-report on a monthly basis.

The timetable for the implementation of e-reporting is the same as the timetable for the implementation of e-invoicing.

How do I adapt my company to all these changes?

Adapting to all the changes and technical requirements demanded by the use of electronic invoicing can be a challenge for many companies. For this reason, many companies rely on the experience of a partner to make the entire transition.

Voxel develops solutions for the digitalisation of the value chain. baVel is the leading e-invoicing platform in the tourism industry. The baVel network currently includes more than 50,000 hotels and 1,000 tour operators and travel agencies in 100 countries, and handles more than 90 million e-invoices per year.

If you would like to find out how we can help you, write to info@voxelgroup.net and one of our experts will contact you.

La entrada Changes in the implementation of electronic invoicing in France se publicó primero en Voxel - Blog.

Characteristics and benefits of the main e-invoicing models.

The use of e-invoicing continues to grow worldwide. More and more countries are legislating the use of e-invoicing, both in the B2G, B2B and B2C spheres. However, not all territories adopt the same model. In the world, two models for implementing e-invoicing have become widespread. The clearance model and the post-audit model. Below, we will analyse the main characteristics of each model and which countries opt for each of them.

The electronic invoice clearance model

In the clearance model, the corresponding tax authority must approve the e-invoice before it is valid and can be sent. Electronic invoices must be registered in the government’s systems and can only be sent once approval has been received from the administration. In other words, communication between the company and the administration takes place in real time.

Most Latin American countries have adopted the clearance model for electronic invoicing. In Europe, to date, Italy is the only country that has implemented B2B e-invoicing following the clearance model.

The electronic invoicing post-audit model

On the other hand, there is the post-audit model. In this model, companies exchange invoices and are subsequently accountable to the public administration. They do this through regular reports and briefings. Thus, companies must guarantee the authenticity, integrity and legibility of invoices once they have been issued, received and accounted for.

The post-audit model is mostly used in European countries. However, more and more countries are moving towards the clearance model. Recent examples are France and Poland.

The benefits of the clearance model

For the public administration, the benefits of the clearance model are very clear: they know the pulse of the economy in real time. It also serves as a tool to combat and reduce tax fraud.

For companies, the benefit may not be so clear initially. However, implementing electronic invoicing in an organisation is nothing more than an opportunity to digitise invoicing processes and obtain associated benefits such as process optimisation and, consequently, increase competitiveness. It also allows for fluid communication with the public administration.

baVel is the leading e-invoicing platform for the travel and e-procurement sector. Whether you operate in countries with a clearance model or in countries that follow a post-audit model, we will help you in your digitisation process towards e-invoicing. Find more information on our website or contact us directly at info@voxelgroup.net.

La entrada Electronic invoicing models: Clearance vs. Post-audit se publicó primero en Voxel - Blog.

In October, the voluntary period for the use of e-invoicing in Poland will start.

On 5 February, the Polish Ministry of Finance published the first draft law on the use of e-invoicing in Poland. This draft modifies the current VAT law. It establishes that electronic invoicing may be used from 1 October 2021 on a voluntary basis. The voluntary period will be extended until 2023, when electronic invoicing will become mandatory.

What will the invoice issuing process be like?

Electronic invoicing in Poland will follow a clearance model. This means that the public administration will have to authorise each transaction for it to be valid. To do so, the Polish government has set up the National Electronic Invoicing System (KSeF). Thus, companies will issue the e-invoice from their systems. The KSeF will assign an invoice number and record the time and date of receipt. The invoices authorised by the national system will be stored for later consultation.

First technical specifications published

Poland has published a first draft of the technical specifications of the new e-invoicing system. This draft includes an XSD schema describing the content and the required XLM structure of the e-invoice. The e-invoice will be one of the most extensive structured documents in the country. The document should include information related to the payment, the terms of the transaction, the procedures applied, taxes, etc.

Like many other countries in the European Union, and in the world, Poland is committed to electronic invoicing with the aim of reducing tax fraud and having real-time information on the country’s business activity.

For their part, companies have an opportunity to digitise their invoicing processes. These processes are usually manual and a source of inefficiencies and errors.

If you want to start using electronic invoicing in Poland, baVel can help you. Write to us at info@voxelgroup.net or visit our website for more information.

La entrada e-invoicing in Poland: key dates and first technical specifications se publicó primero en Voxel - Blog.

As a result of the pandemic, many countries have had to modify their plans regarding electronic invoicing. Taking advantage of the fact that different indicators are beginning to point to the start of recovery, we review the state of e-invoicing regulation in the main receiving markets in Europe and Latin America. 

Electronic invoicing in Spain

The regulation of electronic invoicing in Spain has not changed recently. 

Thus, B2G electronic invoicing is compulsory through the facE platform, as long as the invoice amount exceeds €5,000. 

In B2B and B2C environments, the use of electronic invoicing is not mandatory, but its use is permitted and regulated. 

However, companies must electronically declare the details of invoices issued and received (including simplified invoices) within a maximum period of 4 calendar days, through the Immediate Information System (SII). The SII is mandatory for large companies, i.e. those that settle VAT on a monthly basis. 

At the same time, companies with tax headquarters in the Basque Country will have to adopt the TicketBAI system from 2022. TicketBAI is a platform through which companies must communicate the invoices and tickets they issue to the tax authorities in real time. Solve the most frequent doubts about TicketBAI here. 

Greece finally implements the MyData platform

Greece started working on the implementation of e-invoicing in 2017. But it was not until 2020 that B2G e-invoicing became mandatory in the country. 

At the B2B level, e-invoicing is not mandatory, but the Greek government has been developing the MyData platform for some time to implement real-time communication between companies and the tax authority. Finally, the MyData platform will be mandatory as of 1 July 2021. 

B2C e-invoicing is not mandatory in Greece. 

Electronic invoicing in Malta

Following the European Directive 2014/55/EU and in accordance with the national strategy “Digital Malta: 2014-2020”, B2G e-invoicing is mandatory in Malta since 2019.  

In the B2B and B2C areas, e-invoicing is not mandatory, but its use is regulated. 

In this regard, Maltese legislation allows companies to use an e-invoicing provider. This provider must store the documents guaranteeing their integrity, authenticity and availability and must also include an electronic signature. 

The situation in Portugal after multiple changes

Portugal has been one of the countries that have modified its electronic invoicing legislation the most due to the current situation caused by the global pandemic. 

After all these modifications, the mandatory use of electronic invoicing in the B2G environment is as follows:

• Large companies: mandatory as of 1 January 2021. 
• Small and medium-sized companies: mandatory as of 1 July 2021.
• Micro enterprises: mandatory as of 1 January 2022.

In addition, all invoices will have to include an Invoice Unique Customer Unique Number (ATCUD) and a QR code. The ATCUD and QR code will be mandatory as of 1 January 2022. 

B2B and B2C e-invoicing in Portugal are not mandatory, but its use is regulated.  

Likewise, companies must periodically submit a report of their invoices to the Tax Agency through the SAF-T (Standard Audit File for Tax) standard.

Electronic invoicing in Mexico

Mexico is one of the first countries in the world to implement mandatory electronic invoicing in all areas (B2G, B2B, B2G). The country has been working on this system since 2004 and almost all companies in Mexico are obliged to use electronic invoicing. 

In the Aztec country, the e-invoice follows a clearance model, i.e. e-invoices need government approval to be sent to the recipient. 

The “Comprobante Fiscal Digital por Internet” (CFDI) is the format defined by the Tax Administration Service (SAT) for issuing electronic invoices in the country. The process to issue an e-invoice in Mexico follows these steps: 

1. Generate a file with the structure defined by the SAT in XML.  In addition to a digital signature, this document must include the basic information of the transaction. 
2. Record the exact date and time the document is issued in an electronic system. 
3. An Authorised Certification Provider (PAC) will check that the document meets all legal requirements and within 72 hours will deliver the invoice to SAT. 
4. The certified supplier will also be responsible for delivering the invoice to its recipient if it meets all the established requirements. 

Mexico’s electronic invoicing model, together with Brazil’s, has served as a model for many other countries, especially in Latin America. In Europe, Italy is the only country that follows a similar model.

The Dominican Republic consolidates its model with standard 01-2020

In February 2019, the General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII) of the Dominican Republic launched an e-invoicing pilot programme with 10 large companies in the country to promote e-invoicing at the B2B level. 

A year later, the DGII published regulation 01-2020, which regulates the issuance and use of electronic tax receipts (e-CF) for the e-invoicing process. With this regulation, the Dominican Republic joins the majority of Latin American countries, which already have a consolidated electronic invoicing system. 

For the time being, the use of e-CF is voluntary. However, many experts predict that the use of electronic invoicing in the country will soon become mandatory. The country has chosen a clearance e-invoicing model, like all its neighbouring countries. 

Currently, any company can communicate with the DGII electronically and issue e-CFs. To do so, companies can either develop and implement their own connection with the DGII or do it through a certified provider, such as Voxel Caribe. 

Voxel Caribe was the first provider certified by the DGII to issue tax receipts. The benefits of becoming an electronic taxpayer through a technological partner are multiple:

• Know-How: having the experience acquired with other companies in the Dominican Republic. 
• Benefit from a robust technology certified by the DGII.
• Having a secure, functional and robust connection process.
• Faster implementation process.

In the Dominican Republic, electronic invoicing is not mandatory in the B2C sector. 

The benefits of electronic invoicing in travel companies

Over the course of a year, travel companies (hotels, bedbanks, TMCs, tour operators, travel agencies, etc.) process hundreds of thousands of invoices corresponding to their customers’ bookings. 

The manual management of all these transactions is a major source of inefficiencies and errors and an impediment to the scalability and competitiveness of companies. That is why digitising and automating the issuing and receipt of invoices, payments and derived processes bring great benefits to companies in the travel sector. 

Some of these benefits are:

• Reduction of manual errors, claims and derived processing costs. 
• Optimisation of reconciliation.
• Increased document control. Traceability of all transactions. Documents are not lost.
• Elimination of physical storage and reduction of paper usage.
• Management of all invoices on a single platform, connected to a network of more than 50,000 hotels and travel companies worldwide.
• The collection cycle is accelerated. 

baVel is the leading B2B ebilling and payment platform for the international travel industry. Over the last 20 years we have contributed to the digital transformation of hundreds of companies in the sector by digitising and automating their back office processes. 

If you want to know how we can contribute to the digital transformation of your company, contact us at info@voxelgroup.net.

La entrada E-invoicing in the main receiving markets in Europe and LATAM se publicó primero en Voxel - Blog.

La entrada Albania announces a new fiscalisation model se publicó primero en Voxel - Blog.