Tax authorities, due to technological innovations, have become increasingly better in executing their tax audit.
The probability that the Tax Authorities will issue additional assessments and penalties in the near future because errors in indirect tax are detected, increases by the day. The SAF-T standard, originally created by the OECD, is intended to give tax authorities easy access to the relevant data in an easily readable format. This leads to much more efficient and effective tax inspections.
Tax authorities collect and analyze already indirect tax data (e.g. SAF-T for VAT). The focus is not only about timely and accurate VAT reporting but as well whether on high risk areas an effective tax control framework is in place. Tax risk management methods are assessed.
Tax authority approaches are changing
Besides Portugal similar obligations exist already in Austria, Canada France, (voluntary basis), Luxembourg and Singapore. In Belgium, Croatia, Finland, Germany, Lithuania, Malta, Spain, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, and UK discussions on SAF-T are already taking place. Countries like Sweden and Netherlands have their own e-audit file standard.
A tax trend is that companies due to regulations will have to become transparent about their attitude to tax risk, its appetite and its approach to its relationship with tax authorities. It will cover the governance framework describing the way a business takes decisions on taxation including information on the systems and controls in place to manage tax risk. It is therefore essential that a documentation exist of your (automated) tax control framework and a logbook – risk register – is kept of all identified inconsistencies. The internal tax function should always have insight into the areas for attention through this logbook. This allows tax managers to set the right priorities and take measures timely.
What is next real-time tax collection?
Somehow related to SAF-T is the new mandatory electronic Tax Balance sheet requirement in Germany. From January 1, 2014 it is mandatory to send Tax Balances electronically. We see now also 'real time VAT ledgers in Hungary':
Following the changes announced on ERP and invoicing software requirements in Hungary, the Hungarian government announced that businesses issuing invoices using an invoicing software will be required to provide real time data regarding these invoices. It is already our present and not longer science fiction. The combi 'Artificial Intelegence' and tax might be a next step, but than again data analytics with IT Tax Accountancy people could do the exercise already in an effective and efficient way.
Background
The OECD’s Committee on Fiscal Affairs (CFA) recently approved two notes arising from work to develop a set of guidance on business accounting system data requirements for tax audit purposes, and associated practical implementation issues for software developers.
The set of guidance was prepared by a task group consisting of representatives of national revenue authorities, the Business Applications Software Developers Association (BASDA), accounting bodies, and other interested parties. The aims of the guidance are to simplify tax compliance and tax audit requirements as they relate to information required for tax purposes from business and accounting systems. This guidance should encourage voluntary compliance by businesses that will also add to profitability by encouraging better internal control procedures.
The guidance should also help promote compliance with new legislation on accounting standards such as Sarbanes Oxley and IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards). The application of standards through software development also provides both public and private auditors with a reference point.
Guidance note: guidance on tax compliance for business and accounting software
This guidance note describes the processes needed in business and accounting software to attain a sufficient level of reliability for electronic records kept in support of tax returns during the retention period prescribed by tax legislation in individual countries.
The principles outlined cover:
-
integration of effective tax protection controls;
-
production of audit trails;
-
enabling audit automation;
-
production of SAF-T
-
allowing users to file returns electronically;
-
archive procedures to ensure integrity and readability; and
-
provision of comprehensive documentation.
SAF-T and fight against tax fraud and tax evasion
Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council An Action Plan to strengthen the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion.
On 2nd March 2012, the European Council called on the Council and the Commission to rapidly develop concrete ways to improve the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion, including in relation to third countries and to report by June 2012.
In April the European Parliament adopted a resolution echoing the urgent need for action in this area.
(...)
Future work on these actions will be guided by the need to reduce costs and complexity of tax systems for both the taxpayers and the tax administrations. For taxpayers, decreasing costs and complexity would encourage better tax compliance. For tax administrations, the development and full use of automated tools and risk management techniques would release human and budgetary resources to concentrate on achieving targeted objectives.
The Commission will also continue to promote the most effective use by all Member States of practical IT tools for all taxes.
It will also promote a more joined-up approach between direct and indirect taxes and between taxation and customs by making appropriate use of the FISCALIS and CUSTOMS programmes to enhance communication and promote a more systematic sharing of best practices and tools, where appropriate. This can help to improve the efficiency of audits and controls and reduce the burden on taxpayers.
All the actions proposed to be taken up by the Commission in this document are consistent and compatible with the current Multiannual Financial Framework 2007- 2013 and the new Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020.
31. Develop an EU Standard Audit File for Tax (SAF-T) The use of an EU standard audit file for tax (SAF-T), along the lines of what is already in force or under development in certain Member States, would both facilitate voluntary compliance from taxable persons and facilitate tax audits. A pilot project is currently under development in the specific context of the mini One Stop Shop for telecommunications, broadcasting and electronic services. Its further development should be envisaged.
VAT fraud spotted within days - No substantial change at tax authorities
Data system tested for Benelux countries will be rolled out within 1 year according to current EU Chairman Wiebes. The big data analysis started 1.5 years ago in the Benelux and that participation has already increased to 10 EU Member States amongs others Romania that faces substantial VAT fraud. (source: FD - in Dutch).
SAF-T and Poland
From 1st July 2016 onwards it is required to provide SAFT-PL files in XML format on request of the PL Tax authorities. Filing SAF-T will be mandatory for large taxpayers: employ more than 250 people or 50 million EUR sales revenue. Per 1st July 2018 this extended to taxpayers with more than 9 employees or 2 million EUR sales revenue.
SAP add-on for e-invoicing and SAF-T
KGT SAP add-ons for SAF-T, e-invoicing and MTD UK for VAT work as a standalone application within the SAP system and does not change existing customer SAP functionality or processes. It is fully configurable with custom namespace /KGT.
KGT partnered up with SAP regarding 'SAP Advanced Compliance Reporting for SAP HANA'. The 'Advanced Compliance Reporting' (ACR) service enables you to configure, generate, analyze, and electronically submit statutory reports that contain indirect taxes, such as value-added tax.
KGT provides also S/4 HANA transformation support.
