How Electronic Invoicing Works in Bolivia

Bolivia is amid implementing electronic invoicing, a significant change in the country's tax system. The National Tax Service (SIN) issued Regulatory Directory Resolution No. 102100000011, aimed at regulating the electronic invoicing system in Bolivia and establishing a mandatory adherence schedule for certain groups of taxpayers, assigning each one the invoicing modality they must use.

Virtual Invoicing System (SFV) in Bolivia

The electronic invoicing system in Bolivia is known as the Virtual Invoicing System or SFV. This system consists of three electronic invoicing modalities, and it is the National Tax Service that assigns taxpayers the invoicing modality they must use.

Online Electronic Invoicing

This modality is used by companies that require a high volume of invoicing and need agility in their processes. Invoices are digitally signed using software authorized by the SIN.

Digitized Online Invoicing

This modality is similar to Online Electronic Invoicing but designed for companies with a more moderate volume of invoicing. It allows issuing invoices through SIN-authorized electronic invoicing software.

Web Portal Online Invoicing

The Web Portal Online Invoicing modality is aimed at small businesses with a low volume of invoicing. It involves declaring electronic invoices manually through the web portal established by the SIN. It is a simple and accessible option for those taxpayers with limited resources.

Requirements for issuing electronic invoices in Bolivia

To be able to electronically invoice in Bolivia, it is necessary to meet certain requirements that guarantee the security and legality of the process in each invoicing modality of the SFV:

• Online Electronic Invoicing Modality: An electronic signature certificate issued by an authorized entity is required. This certificate allows verifying the identity of the invoice issuer, guaranteeing its authenticity and legal validity.
• Digitized Online Invoicing and Web Portal Online Invoicing Modalities: Authorized credentials from the National Tax Service are needed. The SIN grants these credentials to taxpayers who meet the established requirements for using electronic invoicing.
• Authorized Invoicing Software: It is essential to use invoicing software homologated and authorized by the Tax Administration to ensure proper operation and compliance with current regulations.

Types of electronic invoices in Bolivia

The Virtual Electronic Invoice system enables the exchange of the following e-invoice types:

• Invoices with tax credits  are invoices that are eligible to receive tax credits for the buyers and tax debits for the seller.
• Invoices without tax credits  are invoices that do not generate tax credits for buyer, nor tax debits for the seller.
• Correction Document. The credit -debit note is the only correction document used for the adjustment of tax debits or credits when a complete or partial return or repeal of a contract occurs.

Formats of sector and service electronic invoices in Bolivia

The virtual invoicing system contemplates 27 types of invoices based on the service provided and the sector where the service is provided. All invoices are in XML formats.

• Factura compra y venta (purchase and sale invoice)
• Recibo de alquiler bienes inmuebles (rental reciept for real estate property)
• Factura comercial de exportación (commercial export invoice)
• Factura comercial de exportación libre consignación (commercial export invoice free consignment)
• Factura de venta en zona franca (sales invoice in free zone)
• Factura de servicios turísticas y hospedaje (tourism and lodging service invoice)
• Factura de seguridad alimentaria y abastecimiento (invoice for food security and catering)
• Factura tasa cero (Zero rate invoice)
• Factura compra venta moneda extranjera (Foreign currency purchase invoice)
• Factura Duty free (duty free invoice)
• Factura sector educativo (education sector invoice)
• Factura comercialización hidrocarburos (commercialization of hydrocarbons invoice)
• Factura servicios básicos (basic service invoice)
• Factura alcanzada ice (Invoices affected by ICE tax)
• Factura entidades financieras (financial entity tax)
• Factura hoteles (hotel tax)
• Factura hospitales clínicas (clinic and hospital invoice)
• Facturas juegos de azar (gambling invoice)
• Factura de hidrocarburos (hydrocarbon invoice)
• Factura venta interna de minerales (internal mineral sales invoice)
• Factura comercial exportación de minerales (mineral export sales invoice)
• Factura telecomunicaciones (Telecommunication invoice)
• Factura prevalorada (prevalued invoice)
• Nota de crédito – Debito (credit-debit note)
• Factura productos nacionales (national producto invoice)
• Factura productos nacionales alcanzados por el ICE (national products affected by ICE tax invoice)
• Factura SIETE-RG (Siete-RG invoice)

Control of electronic invoices

Invoices must contain the Unique Daily Invoicing Code (CUFD) issued by the SIN, and in the case of Online Invoicing modality, digital signature is mandatory. Additionally, the printed format of electronic invoices must include a QR code to facilitate verification by the buyer.

Groups of taxpayers and implementation deadlines

Since the end of 2021, electronic invoicing regulations were established through RND 102100000011. As a result, lists of taxpayers obligated to adapt their invoicing were created, either in the online electronic, digitized online, and/or web portal modalities. Below are the different groups of obligated taxpayers and the respective regulatory resolutions that have experienced several extensions to allow proper implementation.

• First group of taxpayers: (RND No. 102100000012 and RND No. 102100000013)
• Second group of taxpayers: (RND No. 102100000019)
• Third group of taxpayers: (RND No. 102200000010)
• Fourth group of taxpayers: (RND No. 102200000024)
• Fifth group of taxpayers: (RND No. 102300000019)
• Sixth group of taxpayers: (RND No. 102300000020)
• Seventh group of taxpayers: (RND 102400000002)
• Eighth group of taxpayers: (RND 102400000003)
• Ninth group of taxpayers: (RND 102400000004)
• Tenth group of taxpayers: (RND 102400000005)

Benefits of the SFE Bolivia system

• Automatic generation of the purchase and sales registry, for both computerized and web portal modalities.
• Automatic generation suggested from the VAT and IT forms.
• Automatic suggested generation of Form 110 for workers in the private and public sector as well as for contractors and online consultants.
• Cost reduction thanks to time and paper savings.
• Simple tax compliance.
• Process optimization, as it is a completely automated process human error is reduced significantly.

EDICOM, authorized electronic invoicing provider in Bolivia

EDICOM's electronic invoicing platform is certified by the Bolivian tax authority (SIN). Companies can exchange electronic invoices through EDICOM’s platform in different modalities like the electronic invoice online. Companies can issue and sign electronic invoices in the format required by the SIN in a fully integrated and automated manner.

Once the invoices have been validated by the SIN they are sent to recipients in a previously accorded format. The service integrates the validations issued by the SIN keeping you informed about your invoice’s status. The same system also enables the reception and integration of your electronic invoices.