Understanding Spain’s Royal Decree 1007/2023: Digital Billing Records and Fiscalization Compliance

Briefing document: Spain’s VeriFactu Verified Billing System – VATupdate

Royal Decree 1007/2023 in Spain establishes technical and functional requirements for computerized billing systems used by entrepreneurs and professionals. Key points include:

It mandates integrity, conservation, accessibility, readability, traceability, and immutability of invoicing records.
Applies to taxpayers using computerized billing systems, with exceptions for those under Immediate Supply of Information (SII) regimes.
Taxpayers can use verified invoicing systems called VERI*FACTU which submit invoicing records directly to the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT), exempt from electronic signature but use a “hash” (fingerprint).
The Tax Agency has direct telematic access to billing records for compliance checks.
Invoices need not be electronically signed except invoicing records unless VERI*FACTU systems are used.
The regulation requires invoices issued via compliant systems to include a QR code and the phrase “Verifiable invoice at the AEAT’s electronic headquarters” or “VERI*FACTU” when applicable.
Penalties exist for use of non-compliant systems or software alteration.
Implementation deadlines originally July 1, 2025, extended to January 1, 2026 for some taxpayers.
Public consultation for amendments is ongoing to alleviate burdens for certain taxpayers maintaining VAT record books through SII.
More FAQs and support are available on the Spanish Tax Administration website regarding VERI*FACTU.

This decree aims to modernize invoicing, increase VAT compliance and fraud prevention through standardized digital systems and real-time reporting.

Spain’s Royal Decree 1007/2023 mandates digital billing records for fiscal audits.
Billing records are tamper-proof files linked to each invoice or receipt.
These records are required in real time or stored securely.
They contain structured metadata and digital fingerprints.
The Spanish Tax Agency requires immediate submission in real time mode.
In non-real time mode, records are stored in the Spanish Tax Service.
Billing records are the primary reference for audits, not the invoice PDF.
They include standardized metadata and a sequential chain for tracking.
Billing records differ from accounting entries in bookkeeping.
Businesses must use compliant invoicing software to generate these records.

Source: fiscal-requirements.com