Summary of Some Highlights in the Contents of Electronic Invoices

In Circular 68/2019/TT-BTC just issued on September 30, 2019, detailing the content of e-invoices, several notable regulations are as follows:

Illustration (source internet)

1. Invoice form code:

The invoice form code is a character with a natural number from 1, 2, 3, 4 to reflect the type of invoice as follows:

- Number 1: Reflects the type of Value Added Tax Invoice.- Number 2: Reflects the type of Sales Invoice.- Number 3: Reflects the type of Delivery cum Electronic Transport Note.- Number 4: Reflects other types of invoices such as electronic stamps, electronic tickets, electronic cards, electronic receipts, or other electronic documents with the content of an e-invoice.

1. Invoice code:

The invoice code is a group of 6 characters, including both letters and numbers, reflecting the information about the type of invoice either with a code from the tax authority or without a code, the year of invoice creation, and the type of e-invoice used.

1. Digital signature, electronic signature of the seller and the buyer:

- In case the seller is a business, organization, the digital signature of the seller on the invoice is the digital signature of the business, organization; if the seller is an individual, the individual’s digital signature or an authorized person is used.

- In case the buyer is a business establishment, and the buyer and seller agree that the buyer meets the technical conditions to digitally sign on the e-invoice made by the seller, the buyer will digitally sign on the invoice.

- In cases where the e-invoice does not necessarily need the digital signature of the buyer and seller, it falls under cases where the invoice does not need to contain all the contents as prescribed in Clause 3, Article 3 of this Circular.

1. Regarding the time of e-invoice creation:

The time of e-invoice creation is determined by the time the seller digitally signs on the invoice, which is displayed in the day, month, year format (e.g., April 30, 2019) and is in accordance with guidance at Article 4 of Circular 68.

In addition to the mandatory contents of e-invoices as prescribed, Circular 68 also allows businesses, organizations, households, and individuals to add information about logos to represent the brand or image of the seller. Depending on the characteristics and nature of the transaction, and management requirements, the invoice may display information about the Sales Contract, transport order, customer code, and other information.

View the full text at Circular 68/2019/TT-BTC, effective from November 14, 2019.

Thu Ba

>> CLICK HERE TO READ THIS ARTICLE IN VIETNAMESE