E-invoicing won’t be mandatory until 2029

The news that e-invoicing won’t be made mandatory until 2029 has been very much welcomed, giving those affected more time to prepare for the changes.

Government creates e-invoicing roadmap

From April 2029, e-invoicing will be required for business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-government (B2G) transactions where VAT is due.

This announcement was made during the Autumn Budget following a consultation held earlier in the year based on plans to increase the adoption of the digital exchange of invoice information directly between buyers’ and suppliers’ systems.

E-invoicing will only apply to VAT invoices, meaning many of the smallest businesses won’t have to adopt the technology yet.

The government has committed to providing a detailed roadmap at Budget 2026, a decision very much welcomed by the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT) after highlighting in its consultation that clear and consistent communication from government is essential if businesses are to navigate this transition successfully.

A ‘sensible and welcome step’

Commenting on the news, Jon Stride, chair of the ATT’s Technical Steering Group, said, “This announcement is a sensible and welcome step. The 2029 start date gives businesses valuable time to adapt, while the commitment to a clear roadmap at Budget 2026 is essential for building confidence and working towards a smooth transition.

“We welcome the decision to focus on a decentralised e-invoicing model and not to introduce real-time reporting at this stage. The priority should be getting the right infrastructure in place. With more than 130 countries already implementing or planning to implement e-invoicing standards, the roadmap must set out clear, realistic timelines and practical support measures to help businesses prepare.”

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