Even for VAT payers under the flat-rate scheme, electronic invoicing could become compulsory: the government's proposal.
Electronic invoicing could become compulsory also for VAT payers who adhere to facilitated schemes, such as the flat-rate scheme. This is the request that the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) is preparing to request from the European Union along with the extension of the authorization for the adoption of electronic invoicing, which expires next December 31, 2021.
The obligation of electronic invoicing and the related deadline were granted by the European Council with Decision 2018/593, which gave the green light to the introduction of the digital tool also between individuals. The goal is an increasingly digital taxation, which will thus allow to fight tax evasion. Anticipating the possible requests of the Italian government to the EU was Fabrizia Lapecorella, director general of Finance at the MEF, during the hearing on the Irpef reform on March 26, 2021. The ministry is therefore working on the request for an extension until 2024, which will cover the extension also to the facilitated regimes. If the measure is approved, mandatory electronic invoicing will also be introduced for flat-rate taxpayers.
Mandatory electronic invoicing: the MEF's proposals
As anticipated by Lapecorella, the MEF is working to ask the European Commission for an extension of mandatory electronic invoicing until at least 2024. At the same time, there could be a proposal to extend the e-invoicing obligation also to the VAT accounts of the flat-rate regimes, with a view to a greater fight against tax evasion and the simplification of practices.
As of January 1, 2019, the e-invoicing obligation came into force for VAT accounts and companies, while for flat-rate schemes adherence was on a voluntary basis. On the other hand, according to data from the Revenue Agency, even a large number of subjects applying flat-rate regimes have voluntarily adhered to the electronic system, also thanks to the free tools made available by various services such as Libero's SiFattura Basic plan, which until June 30, 2021 includes SiFattura Pro for those who fall under the minimum or flat-rate regimes.
Electronic Invoicing for Flat Rate Payers: the advantages
Despite the lack of a constraint, data held by the Revenue Agency has shown that even those who enjoy tax-advantaged regimes have chosen electronic invoicing. Moreover, this system offers numerous advantages, first and foremost the reduction of the time limit for tax assessments, which is reduced to 4 years for those who only issue electronic invoices compared to 5 years for those who choose paper invoices.
Furthermore, professionals in the flat-rate regimes will be able to take advantage of the simplicity and speed of document management, saving time and therefore money in organizing their accounts. For example, with the Libero SiFattura Pro plan you can get additional features such as multi-user, which allows you to share access to your administrative management software with your accountant, so you can always keep your accounts in order.