Pages in topic: < [1 2] | No invoices by e-mail accepted in Spain? Thread poster: ICTAC
| Perereinger (X) Local time: 00:23 Isn't it wonderful how Spain and Portugal always complicate matters | Apr 21, 2008 |
There is an EU Directive concerning electronic implementation in business and that includes an obligation on EU tax administrations and corporations to accept emailed invoices (normally these are a pdf of a computer generated document such as that produced by Quickbooks for eg). The directive is pretty straightforward and aims at SIMPLIFYING business transactions across Europe. The Spanish and Portuguese tax authorities however can't accept simple solutions. They seem to take a perverse delight in wrapping up such changes in glorious swathes of red tape. And it gets worse .. in Portugal the tax authorities will only accept invoices generated by tax department-approved, Portuguese-made accounting software. If that were observed to the letter, cross-border trade would grind to a halt... It really is time for EU citizens to stand up to these small-minded tax bureacrats and demand they simplify business in keeping with the spirit of the EU single market! (end of rant). | | |
Ralf Lemster wrote: Agreed - I just find the choice of words to be somewhat risqué, particularly without being too specific. Cheers, Ralf ... in view of what they are (probably) aimed at, and given the people involved live in Spain, it's not surprising. Take care Debs | | | Beware of academic clients... | Apr 21, 2008 |
Although I've had no problems at all when sending invoices to agencies or direct clients by email, with my signature inserted as a graphic and/or signed digitally with a certificate from the FNMT, Spanish universities seem to be a law unto themselves and, in my experience, always require a hard copy of the invoice even though the invoice is digitally signed. They then take an age to pay. There are far too many "funcionarios" as far as I'm concerned, but that's another story altogether... <... See more Although I've had no problems at all when sending invoices to agencies or direct clients by email, with my signature inserted as a graphic and/or signed digitally with a certificate from the FNMT, Spanish universities seem to be a law unto themselves and, in my experience, always require a hard copy of the invoice even though the invoice is digitally signed. They then take an age to pay. There are far too many "funcionarios" as far as I'm concerned, but that's another story altogether... Andy ▲ Collapse | | | Balasubramaniam L. India Local time: 03:53 Member (2006) English to Hindi + ... SITE LOCALIZER My experience | Apr 22, 2008 |
I have a few clients in Spain for whom I always send invoices by email, in fact one of them insists that I send it by email. I don't digitally sign them, I just send them the invoice generated by Translation Office. I have had no problems with payment with them. | |
|
|
John Rawlins Spain Local time: 00:23 Spanish to English + ... More for show than implementation | Apr 22, 2008 |
Hi Ana Well done for pointing out the Spanish taxman's official line on electronic invoices. I did take the time to read the webpage and feel quite certain that not one per cent of small Spanish companies will even consider implementing its 'guidelines'. Life is just too short for all of that. However, electronic invoices are now standard, and I can hardly remember the last time I posted an invoice to a Spanish client. John | | | Not quite true | Apr 22, 2008 |
The problem is the difference between legal requirement and common practice. All my Spanisch clients told me explicitly that I can send my invoices via e-mail and that I do not have to spend money and time on snailmail. Now, the legal requirements are a bit different. First of all you need to think of your own security. Are the invoices that you send write-protected? The problem is that e-mailed documents can be modified after they have been sent so in the end you as t... See more The problem is the difference between legal requirement and common practice. All my Spanisch clients told me explicitly that I can send my invoices via e-mail and that I do not have to spend money and time on snailmail. Now, the legal requirements are a bit different. First of all you need to think of your own security. Are the invoices that you send write-protected? The problem is that e-mailed documents can be modified after they have been sent so in the end you as the sender have no control over whether the invoice or whichever document will be modified. I do not mean to imply that clients manipulate e-mailed invoices but there is always a certain risk and you never know. Also, an invoice is a legal document so you have to make sure that the recipient receives the document in such a form that later manipulations are not possible in the first place. Otherwise, if discrepancies turn up, who will be liable for them? In a nutshell: For long-term clients I do not doubt in sending my invoices per mail, but even then I convert them into PDF files. For new clients I send the invoice via mail, too, but only after asking. Instead of sending the invoice document itself I print and scan it, so in the end I am sending an image file (.jpg or any other format). That way I have proof of what I sent. In the end you have to consider the following: The sent invoice and the received invoice must be identical. ▲ Collapse | | | Pages in topic: < [1 2] | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » No invoices by e-mail accepted in Spain? TM-Town | Manage your TMs and Terms ... and boost your translation business
Are you ready for something fresh in the industry? TM-Town is a unique new site for you -- the freelance translator -- to store, manage and share translation memories (TMs) and glossaries...and potentially meet new clients on the basis of your prior work.
More info » |
| Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |