Originally published in the Summer 2004 edition of BLG Business Law Quarterly
There may be significant benefits for companies, in terms both of cost and of efficiency, in operating an electronic or e-billing system in preference to traditional, paper-based billing. However, before making the switch, companies should be aware of certain issues which arise in relation to electronic billing and payment under EU and English law. In particular, a number of procedures should be followed to ensure that electronic invoices are acceptable to the authorities for VAT purposes.
INTRODUCTION
Other general tax issues may of course need to be borne in mind in the context of ebilling, as well as a number of other legal issues, not least in relation to e-security and data protection. However, these are largely beyond the scope of this article, which will focus instead on VAT issues. Clearly, many of the following considerations will only apply where the company or business concerned is registered
