- Keynote Overview and Context: At the E-Invoicing Exchange Summit in Prague, Wouter Bollaert from the Belgian Tax Administration delivered a compelling keynote, introduced by Alexander Kollmann, who positioned Belgium alongside Singapore and the UAE as global leaders in e-invoicing, setting a high level of anticipation for Bollaert’s presentation.
- Belgium’s E-Invoicing Journey and Urgency: Belgium’s progress in digital tax transformation has been years in the making, with a mandatory deadline of January 1, 2026, for structured electronic invoices (SEI) in domestic B2B transactions. The urgency stems from the need to eliminate fragmentation caused by various invoicing methods (email, paper, PDF, cloud systems), which complicate data management and security.
- Peppol-First Approach: Belgium’s adoption of the Peppol BIS format for all domestic transactions aims to standardize and secure the invoicing process, addressing the current fragmented landscape. This approach ensures a consistent and automated system, making invoicing more efficient and reliable.
- Role of Accountants and Benefits of E-Invoicing: Bollaert emphasized that structured e-invoicing is not merely about compliance but also about enhancing efficiency, business growth, and future-proofing processes. Benefits include faster payment processing, more accurate data, reduced administrative work, and significant cost savings.
- E-Reporting and Future Compliance: E-invoicing is a precursor to e-reporting, which will replace traditional VAT reporting methods. Accountants are encouraged to transition their clients to e-invoicing ahead of the 2026 deadline to stay ahead of compliance requirements and streamline their processes. The Belgian government supports this transition with financial incentives and a clear support structure involving software providers, accountants, and the Tax Administration.
Source Philippe Kimpe
See also
- E-Invoicing/Real Time Reporting – What can you find on VATupdate.com
- Worldwide Upcoming E-Invoicing mandates, implementations and changes – Chronological
- Collection of E-Invoicing Guides – Worldwide – VATupdate
- Join the Linkedin Group on Global E-Invoicing/E-Reporting/SAF-T Developments, click HERE
