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Electronic invoicing in Canada

There is currently no requirement or legislation regarding electronic invoicing in Canada. However, the Canadian government is trying to promote its use among businesses.

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Characteristics of Electronic Invoicing in Canada

While there are no specific legal requirements, Canada’s tax authority, the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA), actively encourages businesses across the country to adopt electronic invoicing, highlighting its benefits in terms of efficiency and sustainability.

Mandatory Use

In Canada, electronic invoicing is allowed but not mandatory under current legislation. However, since 2018, the Canadian government has required all suppliers to public sector organizations to be capable of accepting electronic invoices, encouraging the use of this format in government operations.

Invoice Format

Since 2017, the Canadian government has officially adopted the Universal Business Language (UBL) format as the national standard for issuing electronic invoices. This format, widely recognized internationally, ensures interoperability and compatibility with electronic invoicing systems used in other countries.

Archiving

All electronic invoices must be retained for a minimum of six years. It is crucial to ensure the integrity and authenticity of stored documents to maintain their validity in the event of tax audits or regulatory reviews.

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