Tax Compliance & E-Invoicing: New Business Era

The advent of e-invoicing is reshaping how companies manage invoices and tackle the challenges of tax compliance worldwide. Taxation becomes even more convoluted for enterprises operating across multiple countries with varying tax regulations. Addressing these challenges, the European Commission is taking strides towards harmonising tax regulations to facilitate smoother processes.

In sync with this transformative shift, Kefron is pioneering new solutions to streamline compliance in tax. But what are the key changes being ushered in by the EU in the realm of tax regulations, and how will they impact your business?7

Embracing Continuous Transaction Controls (CTC)

The shortcomings of traditional tax handling mechanisms have become glaringly evident, with the European VAT gap standing at a staggering €93 billion or 9.1% of expected VAT revenues in 2020 alone. In response, European nations are enacting innovative regulations aimed at closing this gap. Central to this transformation is the adoption of e-invoicing and continuous transaction controls (CTC). The CTC framework revolves around the real-time monitoring and regulation of business transactions.

Under the CTC framework, companies instantly transmit transaction data to tax bodies as events take place. These agencies then perform real-time checks to ensure compliance in tax. By minimising tax evasion, enhancing transparency, and offering immediate insights, CTC is transforming the landscape of tax compliance. Countries such as Poland, Italy, and Belgium have already mandated e-invoicing, and the EU plans to require cross-border e-invoicing by 2028, further elevating the role of CTC. Yet, the CTC model does differ from country to country, posing unique challenges for international corporations navigating different legal and technical landscapes.

Core Aspects of CTC in Streamlined Tax Compliance

The crux of CTC lies in constant dialogue between businesses and tax officials. This relationship evolves through specific phases:

• Validation Process: Vendors send invoices in a pre-defined format to tax agencies, often digitally signed.
• Verification and Clearance: Tax bodies confirm the vendor’s signed invoice security, registering it under a unique ID within their system.
• Role of the Buyer: Purchasers bear the burden of confirming compliance in tax, typically using cryptographic tools for validation.
• Payment Authorization: If online systems are used for validation, a response is given indicating whether payment is allowed or not.

ViDA: Digital VAT Management for Enhanced Tax Compliance

The European Commission’s ViDA initiative represents a critical step towards unifying VAT reporting across the EU. This transformation will greatly affect businesses, as all e-invoices must comply with the EU Standard 16931, and mandatory B2B e-invoicing will start in January 2024. By 2028, e-invoicing will become the standard mode of invoicing within the EU.

ViDA facilitates seamless CTC integration by lifting current EU constraints, allowing domestic CTC models to thrive. This development is likely to speed up the adoption of compulsory e-invoicing and real-time reports. It also mandates processing for clearance, VAT reporting, coding, approval/matching, and exception management to guarantee compliance.

The Ascendance of E-Accounting and Standard Audit File for Tax (SAF-T)

The growing prominence of e-accounting provides tax agencies electronic visibility into specific company accounts. Adopted globally for accounting ledger submissions, SAF-T adheres to internationally accepted standards for the electronic exchange of accounting information.

The interaction between CTC and ledger access grants tax bodies improved tax collection abilities and real-time liability reconciliation. As a result, enterprises face increasing pressure for instantaneous reporting.

The growing prominence of e-accounting provides tax agencies electronic visibility into specific company accounts. Adopted globally for accounting ledger submissions, SAF-T adheres to internationally accepted standards for the electronic exchange of accounting information.

The interaction between CTC and ledger access grants tax bodies improved tax collection abilities and real-time liability reconciliation. As a result, enterprises face increasing pressure for instantaneous reporting.

The Digital Age of Tax: What it Means for Businesses

For global enterprises, the multitude of CTC frameworks and their variances add an extra layer of complexity. Navigating mandatory formats and data diversity among different nations can be daunting, given the extensive differences in tax compliance platforms and integrations.

Kefron: Innovating Solutions in Tax Compliance

In this dynamic landscape, Kefron emerges as a technological ally, to transcend the challenges of tax compliance. Kefron’s eInvoicing solution provides an integrated VAT clearance and reporting service spanning 40+ countries, seamlessly aligning with CTC, e-invoicing, and e-archiving requirements.  

Kefron’s advanced API integration and country-specific onboarding alleviate concerns of missed elements. The technical team vigilantly tracks and incorporates tax authority updates, ensuring sustained compliance. Kefron’s AP solution boasts precision, customisation, and user-friendliness, rendering e-invoice processing effortless. Moreover, it bridges the gap between machine- and human-readable formats, obliterating technical obstacles. In summary, the confluence of e-invoicing and evolving tax regulations ushers in a new era of business operations. Kefron stands as a steadfast solution provider, empowering enterprises to navigate complexities and focus on their core objectives.  

Need help in navigating Tax Compliance?

The landscape of business operations is amid a profound revolution, catalysed by e-invoicing and innovative tax compliance strategies. The European Commission’s pursuit of standardised tax regulations and Kefron AP signifies a paradigm shift in how businesses navigate the intricate terrain of taxation. As we journey into this transformative era, it’s essential to recognise that streamlined processes and integrated solutions pave the way for enhanced efficiency, reduced stress, and heightened focus on what truly matters – the growth and success of your business. Explore tax compliance and the possibilities of seamless VAT clearance, comprehensive reporting, and simplified e-invoicing across a multitude of countries.