Conversion to electronic invoices

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By 2020, paper invoices will be completely replaced by e-contracts. Photo: T.Linh

Wide dissemination to businesses

According to statistics by Bac Ninh Tax Department, the Tax Department currently manages over 11,000 businesses, including 3,500 businesses that use electronic invoices, accounting for about 30 percent of the total number of operating businesses. Currently, Bac Ninh Tax Department is one of the localities with the highest number of enterprises using electronic invoices in the country.

To achieve this result, from the issuance of Decree 119, the Tax Department of Bac Ninh has stepped up the promotion of the benefits of electronic invoices to the business community in the area; actively encouraged businesses to switch from using self-printed invoices and paper invoices to using electronic invoices. At the same time, the Tax Department cooperates with 20 units to provide e-invoice software solutions to meet the requirements of creating and maintaining a safe and effective data system for businesses. Thanks to these methods, it has created a consensus among enterprises in deploying electronic invoices.

At Nam Dinh Department of Taxation, most of the business community uses electronic invoices and it is said that electronic invoices do not take much time to implement. In not wasting ink and paper, and involving no transporting costs, electronic invoices have been saving billions for businesses every year.

In order to change the perception of the business community, Nam Dinh Department of Taxation also promotes information so that organizations and businesses understand the meaning and value of using electronic invoices by holding dialogues with taxpayers. In addition, Nam Dinh Department of Taxation also actively cooperates with VNPT Nam Dinh Center, Viettel Nam Dinh Branch, Misa Joint Stock Company and service providers, e-invoice solutions to advise the investing plan in technical equipment and training support for businesses, helping to improve the capacity and level of information technology application on setting up and trading electronic invoices for tax accounting and chief accountants of businesses, organizations, economic units wishing to use e-commerce in the province.

Conversion does not affect operation of businesses

In addition to businesses that are ready to switch to using electronic invoices, many businesses are still hesitant to deploy electronic invoices for a number of reasons such as: the application of electronic invoices requires businesses to have a system of information technology equipment and compatible human resources, but not all businesses are eligible to meet this requirement. Some other businesses have not been completely assured of the safety and security of e-invoices when performing online. At the same time, e-invoices have not really been known to people extensively as paper invoices, which makes it difficult for many businesses to explain the legality of e-invoices to customers.

Notably, although Decree No. 119/2018 / ND-CP came into effect in November 2018, so far, there has been no circular guiding the decree so that the application of electronic invoices is widespread. Enterprises may face difficulties. Besides, the connection between tax administration agencies, market management agencies and related agencies has not been synchronized, which is a barrier for implementation.

To overcome difficulties and problems in the transition period from November 2018 to October 2020, the tax sector will continue to implement electronic invoices according to Decree 51/2010 / ND-CP, Decree 04 / 2014 / ND-CP and Circular 32/2011 / TT-BTC. At the same time, the General Department of Taxation also proposed that the service providers committed to connect with the tax authorities to exploit electronic invoice data, allowing searches of a combination of criteria such as tax codes and invoice numbers for tax administration.

Electronic invoices: Enterprises welcome a pioneering transformation

At present, the Ministry of Finance is rushing to develop a Circular guiding the implementation of Decree 119. During this time, tax authorities across the country have intensified training, propaganda, support and training of enterprises wishing to transfer from paper invoices to electronic invoices. The Tax Office is committed to creating the most favorable conditions for the enterprise so that the change of invoice usage method will not affect its business and operation.