Billing SAF-T
- Purpose: The Billing SAF-T (Standard Audit File for Tax) is designed to standardize the reporting of invoicing data to the Portuguese tax authorities.
- Scope: It includes detailed records of sales and purchase invoices, movements of goods, and payment information. This file must be generated using certified billing software.
- Submission: The Billing SAF-T must be submitted monthly by the 5th day of the following month. This requirement applies to both resident and non-resident companies issuing invoices with Portuguese VAT. To be submitted via e-fatura or web services.
- Content: The file consists of a specified header, master files (e.g., customer and supplier tables), and source documents (e.g., sales and purchase invoices)
- Implemented in 2023:
Accounting SAF-T
- Purpose: The Accounting SAF-T is intended to facilitate the exchange of accounting information between companies and tax authorities, promoting transparency and aiding in tax audits.
- Scope: It includes detailed records of all accounting transactions, such as general ledger entries, journal entries, and trial balances.
- Submission: The Accounting SAF-T must be submitted annually, covering the entire fiscal year. The deadline for submission is typically the end of April of the following year. To be submitted via tax authority portal.
- Content: The file includes a comprehensive set of accounting data, structured in a way that allows for easy analysis by tax authorities
- More complex than the billing SAF-T as it contains the taxpayers’ accounting information
- Postponed: Extension of the obligation submission deadline until 2027 (for fisccal year 2026)
- Amendments and Updates to SAF-T (PT) Structure:
- Ordinance No. 302/2016, amended by Rectification Statement No. 2-A/2017, updates the data structure of the Standard Audit File for Tax Purposes (SAF-T (PT)) to improve the quality of invoicing information and ensure better control of accounting data.
- Creation of Taxonomies:
- The ordinance introduces taxonomies, which are tables of correspondence that help characterize accounts according to the accounting regulations used by different taxable persons. This aims to simplify the filling of Annexes A and I of the IES (Informação Empresarial Simplificada).
- Mandatory Data Structure Changes:
- The data structure for SAF-T (PT) files has been revised, with specific requirements for fields and formats, including mandatory fields marked with “*” and conditional fields marked with “**”. The new structure must be used from January 1, 2017, with some elements effective from July 1, 2017.
- Detailed Specifications for Data Export:
- The document provides detailed technical specifications for exporting data from accounting and invoicing systems into the SAF-T (PT) file, including the use of XML format, specific field requirements, and validation rules.
- Annexes with Taxonomies:
- Annex I and Annex II provide comprehensive taxonomies for general SNC (accounting normalization system) and International Accounting Standards, while Annex III covers taxonomies for micro-entities under the SNC. These taxonomies are integral to ensuring consistent and accurate data classification across different entities.
Sources
Ordinances
See also
- Portugal 2025: Further Delay in QES Implementation and SAF-T Adoption
- SAP – User Guide for SAF-T in Portugal – vs 1.14
- Edicom – Key Information About SAFT-PT Portugal Declarations
- Marosa
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