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December 10, 2020
2020-2834

Saudi Arabia introduces e-invoicing

Executive summary

On 4 December 2020, Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Zakat and Tax (GAZT) published regulations on the implementation of electronic invoicing (e-invoicing). Businesses have 12 months to implement relevant technology and prepare for issuance and storing of e-invoices in compliant formats.

Detailed discussion

As announced by the GAZT, the primary objectives in introducing an e-invoicing framework are to limit the shadow economy, promote fair competition and consumer protection, as well as address commercial and tax fraud.

Who is subject to the e-invoicing regulations?

Taxable persons resident in Saudi Arabia will have to issue and store e-invoices in electronic format with predefined data fields. The requirements also apply to third parties who are issuing tax invoices on behalf of resident taxable persons.

The e-invoicing rules will not apply to taxable persons who are not resident in Saudi Arabia.

What is an e-invoice?

An e-invoice is a tax invoice issued in an electronic form. Scanned or photocopied invoices are not e-invoices.

When should an e-invoice be issued?

E-invoices must be issued for all transactions for which tax invoices must be issued. Taxable persons must also issue credit notes and debit notes in an electronic format.

What are the technical requirements of an e-invoice?

The e-invoicing regulations contain preliminary requirements for the technology that enables issuance and storing of e-invoices, including:

  • The ability to connect with external systems using the Application Programming Interface (API)
  • Compatibility with all the requirements and controls applied in Saudi Arabia in relation to data or information security or cybersecurity
  • The solution must be tamper-proof and should include a mechanism that allows detection of any data intervention or manipulation
  • The ability to connect with the Internet

What is the deadline for implementation of the e-invoicing rules?

Taxpayers will need to be ready to issue, receive and store e-invoices by 4 December 2021.

Saudi authorities will release further details on the e-invoicing framework within the next six months, including system and technical requirements relating to the implementation of e-invoicing by businesses.

Implications

Businesses will need to adopt digital tax accounting and reporting to meet the new compliance requirements. Businesses should start considering the steps required to implement e-invoicing.

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CONTACTS

For additional information with respect to this Alert, please contact the following:

Ernst & Young and Co (Certified Public Accountants), Riyadh

  • Asim J. Sheikh, KSA Tax Leader
    asim.sheikh@sa.ey.com

Ernst & Young and Co (Certified Public Accountants), Jeddah

  • George Campbell
    george.campbell@sa.ey.com

Ernst & Young and Co (Certified Public Accountants), Al Khobar

  • Sanjeev Fernandez, KSA Indirect Tax Leader
    sanjeev.fernandez@sa.ey.com

EY Consulting LLC, Dubai

  • David Stevens, MENA Indirect Tax Leader
    david.stevens@ae.ey.com
  • Aamer Bhatti
    aamer.bhatti@ae.ey.com
  • Mehrdad Talaifar
    mehrdad.talaifar@ae.ey.com

Ernst & Young LLP (United States), Middle East Tax Desk, New York

  • Asmaa Ali
    asmaa.ali1@ey.com

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