An invoice is more than a document sent to a customer. In Portugal, it follows specific rules on its form, on when it is issued and on the information that reaches the Tax Authority. One of those dates falls this week: by 5 November, the details of invoices issued in October must be reported.
Reporting by the 5th
Every month, the details of invoices issued in the previous month must be reported to the Portuguese Tax Authority (AT) by the 5th. There are several ways to do this, depending on the invoicing software used. Even if the company sells little, the obligation remains, and it is worth knowing who handles it and how.
Issued on time, with the right details
As a rule, an invoice must be issued by the fifth working day after the sale or the completion of the service. It must include, among other elements, the details of the company and the customer, a description of what was sold and the VAT or the reason it does not apply.
When it is issued with software certified by the AT, it also carries the ATCUD, a unique document code, and a QR code. Both depend on the invoice series being registered with the AT before they are used.
A simple example: a service completed on 28 October can be invoiced up to early November. If the invoice is issued in November, it is not part of this week’s reporting, but of the one due on 5 December.
Getting organised from the start
Invoicing slips, such as invoices issued late, unregistered series or missing details, lead to corrections and may result in fines. They also raise questions from customers, especially businesses that deduct VAT.
Choosing the right invoicing software, deciding who issues invoices and when, and reviewing the data every month makes the process simple and predictable.
Guiding these decisions throughout the year is part of our work with every client. Talk to us or book an exploratory meeting.
Sources: Portuguese VAT Code (CIVA), art. 36; Decree-Law no. 198/2012 of 24 August, art. 3; Ordinance no. 195/2020 of 13 August (ATCUD and QR code); Portal das Finanças.