UAE Improves Economy Digitalization with E-Invoicing System

by Anna Fischer , Alina Dmitrova

Published 23 Feb 2024

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking steps towards digitizing its economy, with the Ministry of Finance unveiling a comprehensive plan to implement an electronic invoicing (e-Invoicing) system to begin in July 2026. This initiative is part of a broader e-Invoicing system project in the UAE to improve tax laws and streamline the invoicing process across the country.

The electronic invoicing project aims to regulate the following:

Electronic transactions

Accounting

Storage

The directive utilizes a Decentralized Continuous Transactions Control and Exchange (DCTCE) five-corner model. Under this framework, electronic invoices can seamlessly flow between the service providers of trading entities. Overall, the DCTCE five-corner model aims to streamline the exchange of electronic invoices while ensuring compliance with taxation regulations and maintaining data integrity throughout the process. Only certified service providers can transmit this data to a centralized platform overseen by the Federal Tax Authority (FTA).

The phased approach to e-invoicing implementation begins with a focus on business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) transactions with the potential to expand to business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions in the future.

Timelines and Current Status

The detailed timeline is as follows:

Third quarter of 2024. Requirements and procedures for certification of service providers should be established, as well as the development of a UAE data dictionary.

Second quarter 2025. A formal e-invoicing law will be published, establishing the legal framework for the new system.

December 2025. A comprehensive implementation strategy will be announced, detailing a phased approach depending on the size of the taxpayer.

July 2026. Official launch of the first phase of the e-invoicing system, providing for early voluntary reporting by companies.

FTA has already issued Federal Law No.1 of 2006 on Business and Electronic Transactions, mandating regulations concerning electronic accounting, storage, and validation processes. According to these regulations, electronic invoices must be created, distributed, and stored electronically for ten years, with electronic signatures being compulsory.

The exchange of electronic commercial papers is allowed, provided that both the issuer and the recipient agree on the format. Documents must adhere to specified guidelines and maintain their original format for storage, with electronic signatures ensuring their legitimacy and consistency.

The Federal Law of 2006 aims to make electronic processes mandatory, standardize electronic invoice creation procedures, and develop necessary technological infrastructures. It also aims to simplify the exchange of documents with public entities and business partners in a standardized and authenticated manner. These objectives are intended to help businesses streamline their operations and improve their interactions with government agencies and other business partners.

Importance of E-Invoicing for Construction Business

E-invoicing offers construction businesses a modern, efficient, and cost-effective solution for managing invoicing processes, improving financial management, and enhancing overall operational efficiency.

Electronic vs Manual Invoicing

If paperwork is involved, the importance is as follows:

Efficient Documentation Management. Construction projects involve numerous transactions and paperwork. E-invoicing streamlines documentation by digitizing invoices, purchase orders, and payment records.

Faster Payments and Cash Flow Management. Traditional paper-based invoicing often delays payment processing, impacting cash flow. E-invoicing accelerates the payment cycle by enabling invoices to be delivered instantly and facilitating automated payment processing.

Improved Accuracy and Compliance. Manual invoicing processes tend to incorrect calculations, missing information, or duplicate invoices. E-invoicing systems automate invoice generation, ensuring accuracy and completeness.

Enhanced Communication and Collaboration. E-invoicing platforms provide a centralized communication hub for construction project stakeholders, including contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and clients. This facilitates seamless collaboration, real-time updates, and transparent communication, leading to better project coordination and decision-making.

Cost Savings. Adopting e-invoicing reduces the costs of paper, printing, postage, and manual processing. It eliminates the need for physical storage space for paper documents and lowers administrative overhead. Over time, these cost savings contribute to improved profitability for construction businesses.

Integration with Accounting and ERP Systems. E-invoicing systems can integrate seamlessly with accounting software and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems used by construction firms. This integration streamlines data entry, reconciliation, and financial reporting processes, eliminating duplicate data entry and ensuring data consistency across systems.

Invoicing Digitalization

The UAE government will not create a dedicated e-invoicing portal for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In place of this, accredited service providers (ASPs) will be leveraged to facilitate e-invoicing. The government is deliberating on providing limited free services as part of the ASP accreditation criteria to encourage participation.

This e-invoicing initiative marks a significant step towards digital transformation, with the primary objectives of optimizing tax compliance and reducing tax evasion. UAE businesses including construction companies can proactively prepare for these changes to ensure a seamless transition while staying ahead in the rapidly evolving digital environment.

UAE invoicing accounting

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Anna Fischer

Construction Content Writer

Anna has background in IT companies and has written numerous articles on technology topics. Now, building up her expertise in construction and legal regulations, Anna expands the horizons of our blog and delights her readers with insightful articles.

Alina Dmitrova

Editor-in-Chief at First Bit

Alina is a journalist and editor with over five years of experience in content marketing. Staying mostly behind the scenes while refining editorial process, she sometimes reports First Bit events and cones up with expert publications.