e-Invoicing in Saudi Arabia (FATOORAH)

The electronic invoicing project in Saudi Arabia is called the FATOORAH and is applicable to B2B, B2C, and B2G transactions.

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Characteristics of the electronic invoice in Saudi Arabia

The implementation of the electronic invoicing system began on December 4th and the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) declared it will implement it in two phases.

 

Phase 1, December 4th, 2021: Taxpayers will have to issue electronic invoices with a compatible system that allows the required fields to be represented in the electronic invoice. The system must also archive and generate an electronic copy for the client. Manual invoices will no longer be accepted.

 

Phase 2, Integration phase with ZATCA: This phase will be carried out gradually. ZATCA will inform at least six months in advance of the integration date.

Tax Authority

Tax Authority

Zakat Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA).

Invoice Format

Invoice Format

Phase 1: Companies will be able to issue electronic invoices without a specific format. 
Phase 2: UBL- XML o PDF with embedded XML. 

Digital Signature

Digital Signature

Phase 1: Not mandatory.
Phase 2: Only Madatory for B2C e-invoices.

Fiscal Control

Fiscal Control

Phase 1: No tax authority controls.
Phase 2: A Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) generated and signed by the ZATCA portal must be included. 

Print Format

Print Format

Phase 1: The B2C electronic invoices must include a QR code and is voluntary for B2B e-invoice. 
Phase 2: Printed B2B electronic invoices must include a QR code that final recipients will be able to use to verify the authenticity of invoices. 

Archiving

Archiving

Invoices must be archived electronically with their associated data for 6 years. 

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Frequently asked questions about FATOORAH

Phase 1 began in December 4th, 2021 and taxpayers had to to issue electronic invoices with a compatible system that allows the required fields to be represented in the electronic invoice. The system must also archive and generate an electronic copy for the client. Manual invoices will no longer be accepted.

Phase 2 is the integration phase with ZATCA. This phase will be carried out gradually. ZATCA will inform at least six months in advance of the integration date.

During this phase, the following requirements must be followed: all electronic invoices including tax invoices or simplified tax invoices, and their associated documents must be generated in an XML or PDF/ A-3 (with XML) format.

The electronic invoicing solution must be able to connect to the internet and integrate with external systems through the ZATCA’s API.

Yes, FATOORAH is applicable to B2B, B2C, and B2G transactions. Exemptions to the mandate include: exempt supplies, advanced payments related to exempt supplies, reverse charge supplies, and import of goods. Companies that do not reside in Saudi Arabia are exempted.

No, the current mandate does not specify regulation to process inbound invoices.

Related resources

Implementation of e-Invoicing around the world

The technical and legal requirements for e-Invoicing are different in each country. If you want to know the details and tax obligations of any particular country, just click on the map or choose a country from the dropdown list.

AlbaniaAngolaArgentinaAustraliaAustriaBahrainBelgiumBeninBoliviaBrazilBurundiCanadaCape VerdeChadChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCôte d'Ivoire CroatiaCyprus Democratic Republic of CongoDenmarkDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEstoniaFinlandFranceGermanyGhanaGreeceGuatemalaHungaryIndiaIndonesiaIrelandIsraelItalyJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaLatviaLesothoLithuaniaLuxembourgMalaysiaMauritiusMexicoThe NetherlandsNew ZealandNigerNigeriaNorwayOmanPakistanPanamaParaguayPeruThe PhilippinesPolandPortugalRomaniaRussiaRwandaSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSingapore SlovakiaSloveniaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSpainSwedenSwitzerlandTaiwanTanzaniaThailandTogoTunisiaTurkeyUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVietnamZambiaZimbabwe

Related news about e-invoices in Saudi Arabia

Pakistan: Mandatory e-Invoicing for Large Taxpayers

The Government of Pakistan has set July 1, 2025, as the mandatory start date for electronic invoicing
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Electronic Invoicing in Israel: CTC clearance model

Phased introduction of the electronic invoice determined by the value of the invoices, starting on May 5th, 2024
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