E-invoices from cash registers surge 13-fold year on year

Accordingly, the number of e-invoices from cash registers surpassed 1.3 billion in 2024, a 13-fold increase compared to 2023, when 105 million e-invoices were reported. Revenue recorded through this system reached VND686 trillion (over US$26.9 billion) last year, 7.4 times higher than the VND93 trillion in 2023.

Mai Xuan Thanh, Director General of the General Department of Taxation, asked ministries, sectors and localities to intensify their collaboration with tax authorities to advance the implementation of e-invoices generated via cash registers. This includes raising awareness among sellers and buyers about the benefits of such invoices, preventing tax losses, and organising inter-sectoral inspections to strictly address violations related to invoicing practices.

Tax authorities aim to improve the technical system, provide solutions to reduce operational costs, and further educate tax payers on their obligations and responsibility.

The general department also proposed the Government issue mechanisms, policies, along with funding for such initiatives as a lucky invoice programme to encourage consumers take invoices when shopping.

However, Thanh admitted that in 2024, only nearly 50% of the business establishments subject to e-invoicing registered the practice. Some provinces and cities reported lower-than-expected implementation rates.

Obstacles include the absence of regulations on the mandatory application of e-invoices, technical concerns, and tax payers' worry about additional costs and reluctance to disclose actual revenues.

He also pointed out that consumers haven't gained a habit of requesting invoices when shopping, incentives for consumers are not strong enough while some localities haven't paid due attention to the issue.