In an effort to combat tax fraud and promote the digitalization of tax processes, the Spanish Tax Agency has introduced Verifactu , a system that sets new standards for the issuance and management of electronic invoices. In this article, we provide a detailed overview of Verifactu, its features, mandatory requirements, and how companies can adapt to this regulation.
What is Verifactu?
Verifactu is a regulation that governs the connection between companies’ billing systems and the Tax Agency, allowing for the validation of invoices before issuance. This system seeks to guarantee the integrity, preservation, accessibility, legibility, traceability, and inalterability of billing records, ensuring that issued invoices are authentic and tamper-evident.
What is NOT Verifactu?
Verifactu is not simply an electronic invoicing program, nor a platform exclusively for large companies. Nor is it an optional tool or a system that replaces the current SII (Immediate Information System), but rather a regulation that affects any company or self-employed person that issues invoices.
Let’s look at some misconceptions about Verifactu below:
- It does not replace other billing systems : It complements and regulates existing processes, ensuring the integrity and traceability of invoices.
- It’s not just for large companies : It affects any business, regardless of size, that is not covered by the SII.
- There is no specific software : Each company must ensure that its invoicing system meets Verifactu requirements, but there is no single official software.
- It is not a voluntary system : Its adoption will be mandatory from July 1, 2025.
It’s important to differentiate Verifactu from other electronic invoicing systems to avoid confusion and ensure proper implementation.
Main objectives of Verifactu
The fundamental objectives of Verifactu are:
– Combat tax fraud : By ensuring that all invoices are validated and recorded in an unalterable manner, the possibility of tax evasion is reduced.
– Promote digitalization : Encourage companies to adopt electronic invoicing systems, improving efficiency and reducing paper use.
– Increase transparency : Facilitate the Tax Agency’s access to billing records in real time, promoting greater transparency in business operations.
Key features of Verifactu
Invoicing software applications that comply with Verifactu must:
– Generate an invoicing record : A specific record must be created for each invoice issued, cancelled, or corrected.
– Guarantee integrity and preservation : Records must be unalterable and kept securely, ensuring their accessibility and legibility over time.
– Allow automatic submission to the Tax Agency : It is recommended that the system automatically send each invoicing record to the Tax Agency, ensuring compliance with legal requirements.
– Record events for traceability : The system must record events that allow tracking of all invoicing-related activities, ensuring full traceability.
Obligation and deadlines for implementing VeriFactu
The implementation of Verifactu will be mandatory for all taxpayers carrying out economic activities, whether subject to personal income tax or corporate tax. However, the Basque Country (where TicketBAI is applied) and Navarre, as well as companies registered with the SII, are exempt. The deadline to adapt to Verifactu is July 1, 2025.
This period provides an adaptation period for businesses to update their invoicing systems and comply with the technical requirements established by the Tax Agency.
Despite the mandatory implementation starting in July 2025, companies are advised to begin adapting to VeriFactu as soon as possible to avoid last-minute problems and ensure compliance without the risk of penalties.
Who is affected by Verifactu? Everything You Need
Verifactu affects:
– Companies and professionals : All those who issue invoices in the course of their economic activity.
– Billing software developers : They must adapt their programs to comply with the new requirements established by Verifactu.
– Consulting and management firms : They need to ensure that their clients’ billing systems comply with regulations.
Steps to adapt to Verifactu
To comply with Verifactu, companies and developers must:
1. Update or purchase compatible billing software : Ensure that the software used meets Verifactu requirements.
2. Obtain a responsible declaration : The software must have a declaration confirming its compliance with the regulation.
3. Implement security measures : Ensure the integrity, preservation and accessibility of billing records.
4. Configure automatic submission to the Treasury : Establish the connection for sending billing records to the Tax Agency.
5. Train staff : Ensure that the team is familiar with the new system and its procedures.
Benefits of implementing Verifactu
Adopting Verifactu offers many Everything You Need advantages, some of which include:
– Reducing the risk of sanctions : By complying with regulations, you avoid potential fines for non-compliance.
– Improved operational efficiency : Digitizing billing streamlines processes and reduces errors.
– Transparency and trust : Greater transparency in operations strengthens trust with customers and suppliers.
What regulations affect VeriFactu?
VeriFactu is supported by a series of fiscal and technical regulations that govern its implementation and operation. These regulations establish the requirements that invoicing programs must meet to ensure the integrity, traceability, and authenticity of records.
The main regulations affecting VeriFactu are:
– General Tax Law (LGT) : Establishes the legal basis for combating tax fraud and digitizing accounting processes.
– Invoicing Regulation (Royal Decree 1619/2012) : Defines the requirements for issuing, maintaining, and validating invoices in Spain.
– Anti-Fraud Law (Law 11/2021, of July 9) : Prohibits the use of double accounting software and establishes mandatory systems that guarantee the unalterability of billing records.
– Draft Royal Decree on VeriFactu : Defines social media campaign the specific technical and functional requirements that billing programs using this system must meet.
How does VeriFactu affect the way you invoice?
The implementation of VeriFactu represents a significant change in the way businesses and freelancers issue, record, and manage their invoices. Below, we explain how it will affect your invoicing process:
– Invoices with unalterable records
Each invoice issued must include a secure and unalterable billing record , preventing fraudulent modifications or deletions. This means that invoicing software must comply with the traceability and authenticity requirements set by the Tax Agency.
– Possibility of automatic submission to the Treasury
This will allow the Treasury to have real-time access to records, facilitating oversight and avoiding future discrepancies.
– Adaptation of billing software Everything You Need
Businesses must ensure their invoicing system is compatible with VeriFactu . This requires updating or changing the software used, ensuring it meets the requirements for invoice inalterability and traceability.
– Greater fiscal control and transparency
The regulations seek to eliminate fraudulent practices , such as double accounting or invoice manipulation. This means that every company must japan data operate an invoicing system that guarantees complete transparency in its business operations.
– Changes in daily operations
Companies will need to adapt their internal processes to comply with the regulations, which may involve staff training , adjustments to accounting management, and increased control over the issuance and storage of invoices.
– Reduction of the risk of sanctions Everything You Need
Complying with VeriFactu from the outset will help you avoid fines or penalties from the Tax Agency. Adapting early will ensure a smooth transition and avoid legal risks.
Ultimately, VeriFactu will transform invoicing in Spain , ensuring a more secure, transparent, and efficient system for both businesses and self-employed individuals.