The European Union is undergoing one of the most significant shifts in VAT compliance through the Value Added Tax in the Digital Age (ViDA) proposal. At its core, ViDA aims to bring the EU VAT system into the modern era – reducing fraud, easing administrative burdens, and aligning tax practices with the digital realities businesses face today. However, behind the policy goals lies a deeper, structural transformation, one that requires companies to reimagine how they manage VAT reporting and invoicing through technology.
Mandatory e-Invoicing becomes the new standard
One of the cornerstone changes introduced by ViDA is the shift to mandatory electronic invoicing. While a few member states may implement the change sooner under national rules, from July 1, 2030, e-Invoicing will become the norm throughout the EU. This is more than just a format change – it’s a fundamental reconfiguration of how invoices are created, exchanged, and reported.
Businesses will no longer be able to rely on paper-based processes or informal digital invoices. Instead, they must adopt or upgrade systems capable of issuing and receiving structured e-invoices in a standardized format. These invoices must be generated promptly – no later than ten days after the chargeable event – and include a predefined set of required data points.
For many companies, this will mean investing in dedicated e-invoicing tools or enhancing existing ERP and accounting platforms to meet compliance requirements.
Real-time digital reporting to tax authorities
Closely tied to the e-Invoicing mandate is the introduction of near real-time digital reporting obligations. Also taking effect from July 1, 2030, this requirement means that businesses will need to transmit data from their e-invoices directly to the relevant national tax authorities using secure, electronic portals.
This is not a manual process. Businesses will have to ensure their systems can automatically extract the necessary invoice data and communicate it efficiently and securely to tax authorities. This kind of real-time reporting will likely rely on APIs and other forms of digital integration to function seamlessly. However, because each EU member state may define its own technical specifications and data formats, businesses operating across multiple countries could face additional layers of complexity in achieving compliance.
New VAT responsibilities for digital platforms
ViDA also brings a fundamental change for digital platforms, particularly those that facilitate short-term accommodation and passenger transport services. Under the new rules, these platforms will, in certain cases, become liable for collecting and remitting VAT on the transactions they enable. This shift places digital platforms directly in the tax compliance chain.
To meet these obligations, platforms will need to enhance their systems to accurately calculate VAT across diverse jurisdictions, account for differing national rules, and manage VAT obligations directly. This may involve deeper integration with tax engines or the development of bespoke solutions that can manage complex VAT logic across borders.
Simplifying compliance through the extended OSS
Another significant development is the expansion of the One-Stop Shop (OSS) system, set to take effect in 2028. The idea behind OSS is to reduce administrative complexity by allowing businesses to report and remit VAT through a single registration, even when they operate in multiple EU countries.
While this model offers a more streamlined compliance path, it also places greater demands on businesses’ systems. Companies must ensure their tools can accurately identify the place of supply for each transaction and apply the correct VAT rates across all relevant jurisdictions. Reporting must then be consolidated and submitted under a single VAT identification number, requiring precise tax logic and data management.
Supply chain “fiction” extends to B2B transactions
The concept of supply chain fiction, already familiar in B2C scenarios involving online platforms, will be extended to cover B2B transactions by January 1, 2027. This rule essentially treats certain intermediaries in the transaction chain as if they directly supply goods to the end customer, changing the way VAT is assessed and reported.
For businesses involved in complex supply chains, this change demands a reconfiguration of how they identify suppliers and customers for VAT purposes. Accurate classification will be essential to ensure proper invoicing and reporting, and systems must be updated to reflect these legal fictions accurately.
Data quality and security take center stage
With so much of the VAT process moving into digital spaces, ViDA implicitly raises the bar for data quality and security. Businesses must now treat tax data with the same rigor as financial records – not only ensuring that data is accurate and complete, but also implementing robust measures to protect it from breaches or tampering.
Compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR remains essential, but ViDA adds new dimensions, particularly around the transmission of sensitive tax data to authorities. Security protocols, encryption, and audit trails will all play a key role in future-ready VAT systems.
Final thoughts: Preparing for the future of VAT compliance
ViDA represents more than just another layer of VAT regulation; it’s a catalyst for digital transformation across EU businesses. The shift to mandatory e-Invoicing and real-time reporting will require significant investment in technology, tighter integration across financial systems, and a more sophisticated approach to data governance.
While the road to compliance may be challenging, it also opens the door to more efficient, automated VAT processes and a more agile approach to tax management. Businesses that begin preparing now will be best positioned not only to meet the upcoming requirements but also to benefit from the opportunities a digital VAT landscape can offer.
Profluo helps you meet EU VAT compliance requirements effortlessly, from e-invoicing processing to real-time reporting. Request a demo and see how Profluo keeps you compliant!
