While a series of false starts and changes of direction have made Making Tax Digital (MTD) seem more complicated than it might need to be, new e-invoicing requirements that come into effect in Italy from 1 January 2019 make it look like a walk in the park.
The Italian tax authorities will require VAT-registered businesses to issue electronic invoices converted into .XML format to other VAT-registered businesses. They will then need to sign the invoices digitally, before sending them through the Italian tax authority, Sistema di Interscambio’s ‘SdI’ interchange system.
Businesses will need to archive each invoice for 10 years.
The aim of the scheme is to promote the use of digital technologies amongst businesses and to tackle tax evasion and VAT fraud.
