In the business world, commercial relationships are constantly being formed, resulting in the exchange of goods and/or services. These relationships are typically formalized through an invoicing process, which involves the obligation to create, issue, and deliver an invoice to the customer.
With the implementation of the Immediate Supply of Information (SII) system for the Spanish Tax Agency, many business owners and professionals have had serious questions regarding the issuance and delivery dates for invoices. These dates vary depending on the type of recipient, which we will briefly explain below.
But before getting into those deadlines, depending on the recipient, we mention the concept of "operations carried out" and the "accrual of VAT".
When is a transaction considered completed? : Accrual
VAT accrues when the transaction takes place.
The accrual date is relevant for establishing the tax obligation, and it is what allows us to determine the payment deadlines. VAT accrues instantly; the tax obligation arises at the moment the taxable event occurs.
Additionally, in taxable transactions that give rise to advance payments prior to the occurrence of the taxable event, the tax will accrue at the time of total or partial collection of the price for the amounts actually received (not applicable to deliveries of goods included in art. 25 LIVA).
If the recipient NOT a businessperson or professional:
- The obligation to issue invoices arises at the time the transaction is carried out, including transactions covered by the special cash accounting scheme. (If they are summary invoices, it will be the last day of the calendar month in which the documented transactions took place).
- Likewise, the obligation to send the invoicearises at the time of its issuance.
For example: a hardware store and a customer who buys a tool. At the same time the product is sold and payment is received, the invoice (simplified invoice) must be issued.
If the recipient is a BUSINESS OWNER and/or PROFESSIONAL:
- The deadline for issuing/shipping and sending invoices is extended until the 16th day of the month following the month in which the tax corresponding to the aforementioned operation accrued.
For example: a company sells doorknobs to another company on March 20th. Based on its turnover, it is a Large Company, registered in the Register of the Central Delegation of Large Taxpayers of the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT).
The sale of doorknobs constitutes a supply of goods; therefore, VAT is due each time a doorknob is transferred. If there are no advance payments, the VAT accrual and payability coincide, but the VAT settlement for the difference between output VAT and input VAT will be on a monthly basis.
As of 01.01.2017: (Royal Decree 596/2016, of December 2)
Delivery of goods or provision of services made: March 20.
Shipping and invoice delivery by: April 16th.
For invoices for intra-community supplies of exempt goods, the deadline for issuing/dispatch and sending the invoice is also before the 16th of the following month, but with the difference that it will start counting at the time of dispatch or transport of the goods to the acquirer.
If you require our assistance to obtain further information or have any questions, please contact us via our legal email address, ambit@ambitassessor.com, or at our offices.
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A graduate in Business Administration from the University of Barcelona, she supplemented her studies with courses in customer service and corporate tax. While working and studying, she worked in sales and teller operations at La Caixa d'Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona (now Caixabank) in 2007. From 2010, she worked as an advisor and accountant at Fiscalsegur and PKF Asesores. In March 2017, she joined Àmbit Assessor, SL as a tax and accounting consultant.
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