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Requirements for invoices in Bulgaria

August 26, 2012 6 Comments

Invoices in Bulgariainvoices in Bulgaria

By courtesy of Alexander Todorov.

This article is for everyone establishing first business as a self-employed, small businesses etc, to know how to be able to issue properly invoices. The requirements for invoices in Bulgaria are not something difficult but certain rules need to be followed.

Minimum requirements for invoices in Bulgaria

In the accounting law, Art. 7, paragraph 1. On invoices (such as a document addressed to external parties) the following information is compulsory;

  1. Name (invoice)
  2. Number (only the type Arabic numerals 1234567890)
  3. Date of issue
  4. Name of provider and recipient
  5. Address of the supplier and recipient
  6. Unique identification code of the provider and recipient
  7. The subject and value of the transaction (what sells, how much is 1 unit, how much in quantity sold, total)

The VAT act adds several requirements (You can find more information on VAT registration here.);

  1. Name (invoice)
  2. Number (10 digit serial number with Arabic numerals only the type 1234567890, first invoice must be at № 0000000001 if the objects of the company are few invoices can start from a different number, for example object 1, can start the first invoice with № 1000000001 in object 2- with 2000000001 etc. but compulsory numbers must be consecutive and follows a strict hierarchy, if the company issued 10 billion number all invoices can be started again from № 0000000001 after the NRA  has been informed, otherwise the duplication of numbers is unacceptable).
  3. Date of issue
  4. Name of provider and recipient
  5. Address of the supplier and recipient
  6. Unique identification code of the provider and recipient
  7. The subject and value of the transaction (what sells, how much is 1 unit, how much in quantity sold, total)
  8. VAT registration number of the supplier
  9. VAT registration number of the recipient (if it registered on VAT)
  10. Date of delivery or the date of received payment according invoice
  11. Tax base of the delivery (this is the total of all goods and services from the invoice ex VAT)
  12. Tax rate (may be 0%, 9% or in most frequent cases 20%)
  13. If the tax rate is different from the 20% then must be written justification for implementing another rate (for example if the supplier is not registered on VAT, on a separate line should be written something like “non-deductible VAT pursuant to Art. 113, paragraph 9 of the VAT Act “)
  14. VAT rate (equal to the tax base is multiplied by the tax rate or if the tax base is 100 BGN and the tax rate is 20%, then the rate of VAT is 20 BGN)
  15. Amount of the payment
  16. Only if it delivers a new vehicle from an EU country, the factors that determine the vehicle as a new.

Although often still asked for and given, signature and stamp are not obligatory on invoices in Bulgaria anymore.

When you have questions about issuing invoices in Bulgaria you can always contact us.

Accountancy

Comments

  • I have just opened a businesses in Bulgaria.
    I am issuing my first invoice and I would like to know if I can use a number like:
    2012092701
    meaning the date 2012 09 27 (year month day) then for which service it is 01.

    any information would be helpful
    thank you

    • Unfortunately the structure you mention for the invoice numeration is not acceptable according to the Bulgarian Accounting Act. The numbers shall be consecutively and if you use year, month, date, then you will breach this rule. It should be 10-digits consecutively number, not only the last 2 digits. It can be 2012092701 but then the next shall be 2012092702, etc. Then the effect from what you want is gone as on the next day you have to use the year, month, date you started with.

  • Don’t forget it’s a requirement by Bulgarian law to use an invoice generating software. You are also required to have the first invoice generated in Bulgarian language and the second can be in English language.

  • I have an export company established in Bulgaria and I issue all invoices using Microsoft Word programm and keeping record in PDF format. One copy goes to the customer together with the pack.list and Cmr and one to my accountant. All documents are in English language. Is this way ok or I need an invoice generating software?

    • Your accountant needs the invoices in Bulgarian language, this is compulsory. It is no problem to make them in word, but be sure that you keep the numbering right. Your accountant should be able to tell you how it works exactly.

  • Hi,

    Do the accounting records need to be stored in Bulgarian language too? here I do not refer to the content of the invoice, but the software package instead. If I kept all of my book keeping in English in a good accounting software, is this acceptable and legal ?

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