ZATCA Compliant Invoicing System: Simple, Fast, and Affordable
Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) has made electronic invoicing mandatory for every VAT-registered business. If you need a ZATCA compliant invoicing system for your business, this guide explains what compliance means, what to look for, and how Taxample’s simple invoicing engine delivers Phase 2 compliance for a one-time payment of 999 SAR โ no monthly fees, no complex ERP required.
What Is a ZATCA Compliant Invoicing System?
A ZATCA compliant invoicing system is software that meets the technical requirements set by Saudi Arabia’s Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority for electronic invoicing (Fatoorah). The system must be capable of:
- Generating invoices in structured XML format (UBL 2.1) or PDF/A-3 with embedded XML
- Producing tax invoices and simplified tax invoices with all mandatory fields
- Adding a cryptographic digital signature and UUID on each invoice
- Generating QR codes on simplified invoices for B2C transactions
- Integrating with ZATCA’s Fatoora platform for real-time clearance (B2B) and reporting within 24 hours (B2C)
- Storing invoices in a tamper-proof electronic environment
Software that only adds a QR code to a PDF is not a ZATCA compliant invoicing system. Phase 2 requires a real technical connection to the Fatoora platform.
ZATCA E-Invoicing Phases Explained
ZATCA rolled out e-invoicing in two phases:
Phase 1 โ Generation (Since December 4, 2021)
Every VAT-registered taxpayer must generate invoices electronically. Paper invoices, handwritten invoices, and scanned PDFs are no longer allowed. Invoices must include a QR code and be stored electronically.
Phase 2 โ Integration (In Waves Since January 2023)
Businesses must connect their invoicing system directly to ZATCA’s Fatoora platform. This means:
- B2B invoices must be cleared in real-time before sharing with the customer
- B2C invoices must be reported to ZATCA within 24 hours of issuance
- Invoices must use XML or PDF/A-3 format with a cryptographic stamp and UUID
ZATCA is rolling out Phase 2 in successive waves based on annual taxable revenue:
| Wave | Revenue Threshold | Integration Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Wave 1 | Exceeding SAR 3 billion | January 1, 2023 |
| Wave 2 | Exceeding SAR 500 million | July 1, 2023 |
| Wave 7 | Exceeding SAR 50 million | June 1, 2024 |
| Wave 9 | Exceeding SAR 30 million | January 1, 2025 |
| Wave 10 | Exceeding SAR 25 million | April 1, 2025 |
| Wave 22 | Exceeding SAR 1.25 million | November 30, 2025 |
| Wave 23 | Exceeding SAR 750,000 | March 31, 2026 |
| Wave 24 | Exceeding SAR 375,000 | June 30, 2026 |
ZATCA notifies each taxpayer at least six months before their wave’s deadline. If you are VAT-registered in Saudi Arabia, you are either already in a wave or will be soon.
Simple Invoicing vs. Full ERP: Which Do You Need?
Not every business needs a complex ERP system to become ZATCA compliant. Many small and growing businesses just need to issue compliant invoices โ without the overhead of inventory modules, CRM pipelines, or HR management.
Taxample offers two paths to ZATCA compliance:
1. ZATCA Simple โ 999 SAR One-Time (For Simple Businesses)
A standalone ZATCA compliant invoicing system designed for businesses that do not require complex ERP to function. You get:
- ZATCA Phase 2 compliant invoice engine
- Government portal integration (Fatoora)
- Arabic and English bilingual invoice templates
- Official ZATCA QR codes on every invoice
- Real-time validation and submission to ZATCA portal
- Complete setup and configuration
- 30-minute training session
- Email support for the first 30 days
- One-time customisation to match your business branding
No monthly fees. No recurring subscription. Pay 999 SAR once and use it forever.
Get your ZATCA Simple invoicing system set up now โ
2. Full Odoo ERP with ZATCA โ Consultation Required
For businesses that need a complete ERP โ inventory, CRM, POS, HR, payroll, manufacturing โ alongside ZATCA compliance, Taxample provides full Odoo ERP implementation for Saudi Arabia and the GCC. This is a custom implementation tailored to your operations and requires a consultation to scope.
If your business has outgrown simple invoicing and needs integrated operations, explore the full Odoo ERP for GCC โ
ZATCA Compliant Invoicing System: 999 SAR One-Time
Most ZATCA compliance tools charge a monthly subscription โ SAR 60 to SAR 500 per month, forever. Over a year, that adds up to SAR 720โ6,000. Taxample’s simple invoicing engine takes a different approach: 999 SAR one-time, no monthly fees.
Cost Comparison: ZATCA Compliant Solutions
| Provider | Pricing Model | Phase 2? | Full ERP? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxample (Simple) | 999 SAR one-time | Yes | No โ simple invoicing |
| Taxample (Odoo ERP) | Custom consultation | Yes โ native | Yes |
| Wafeq | 99โ149 SAR/month (1,188โ1,788/year) | Yes | No โ invoicing + accounting |
| Daftra | 95 SAR/month (1,140/year) | Yes | Partial |
| Zoho Books | 60 SAR/month annual (720/year) | Yes | No โ accounting only |
| Qoyod | ~100 SAR/month annual (1,200/year) | Yes | No โ accounting only |
| Snad | 149โ399 SAR/month (1,788โ4,788/year) | Yes (Pro) | Partial |
For simple businesses that just need compliant invoices, the 999 SAR one-time setup is the most cost-effective option. For businesses that need a full ERP, book a consultation for a tailored Odoo implementation.
How Taxample Sets Up Your ZATCA Compliant Invoicing System
The setup process for the 999 SAR simple invoicing engine is fast:
- Message Us: Tell us about your business on WhatsApp โ takes 2 minutes
- We Set It Up: We install and configure your ZATCA compliant invoicing system โ ready in 48 hours
- You Are Compliant: Start creating government-approved invoices the same day
For the full Odoo ERP with ZATCA, the process includes assessment, data migration, custom workflows, and 90-day deployment. See our GCC ERP implementation page for details. You can also read about our Odoo partnership with Niche-Trading to see our ERP implementation work in action.
What You Get on Every Invoice
- Official ZATCA QR Code: Every invoice includes an official QR code from the Saudi government portal. Customers scan it to verify authenticity instantly.
- Bilingual Format: Arabic and English side-by-side on every invoice. Meets all government formatting requirements.
- Complete Tax Details: VAT registration, tax breakdowns, commercial registration numbers โ all formatted and validated automatically.
- Real-Time Validation: Each invoice is validated and submitted to the ZATCA portal automatically. No manual uploads needed.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
ZATCA penalties for non-compliance are serious:
- Starting at SAR 5,000 per violation for first-time non-compliance
- Repeat violations can reach fines up to SAR 50,000
- Missing your wave deadline triggers automatic penalties
ZATCA has extended the fine waiver initiative through June 30, 2026 โ but only if principal taxes are paid. Getting compliant now avoids both fines and last-minute pressure.
ZATCA Compliance Checklist
Before going live with your ZATCA compliant invoicing system, confirm:
- [ ] Your VAT registration is active
- [ ] Your Commercial Registration (CR) certificate is valid
- [ ] You know your ZATCA wave and integration deadline
- [ ] Your system generates XML and PDF/A-3 formats
- [ ] Digital signatures and UUIDs are on every invoice
- [ ] QR codes appear on simplified (B2C) invoices
- [ ] B2B invoices are cleared through Fatoora before sharing
- [ ] B2C invoices are reported within 24 hours
- [ ] You have tested in the ZATCA sandbox environment
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a ZATCA compliant invoicing system?
A ZATCA compliant invoicing system is software that meets ZATCA’s technical requirements for electronic invoicing in Saudi Arabia. It must generate invoices in XML or PDF/A-3 format with digital signatures, QR codes, and UUIDs. It must also integrate with ZATCA’s Fatoora platform for real-time clearance (B2B) and 24-hour reporting (B2C).
How much does a ZATCA compliant invoicing system cost?
Most ZATCA compliant systems charge SAR 60โ500 per month as a recurring subscription. Taxample offers a simple ZATCA compliant invoicing engine for 999 SAR one-time โ no monthly fees. For businesses that need a full ERP with inventory, CRM, and POS alongside ZATCA compliance, Taxample offers custom Odoo ERP implementation through consultation.
Is the 999 SAR system a full ERP?
No. The 999 SAR one-time setup is a simple ZATCA compliant invoicing engine designed for businesses that do not need complex ERP. It handles invoice generation, ZATCA portal integration, QR codes, and bilingual templates. If you need inventory, CRM, POS, HR, or manufacturing modules, you need the full Odoo ERP implementation, which requires a consultation.
How fast can I get ZATCA compliant?
Taxample completes the simple invoicing setup within 48 hours. You get a fully configured, government-approved ZATCA compliant invoicing system with bilingual templates and real-time portal integration.
Who needs to comply with ZATCA e-invoicing?
Every VAT-registered business in Saudi Arabia must comply. This includes B2B, B2C, and B2G transactions. Non-resident suppliers are exempt but must keep proper transaction records.
What happens if I do not comply with ZATCA?
Penalties start at SAR 5,000 per violation and can reach SAR 50,000 for repeat offenses. ZATCA has a fine waiver initiative through June 30, 2026, but only if principal taxes are paid.
Get ZATCA Compliant with Taxample
Simple businesses: Get your ZATCA compliant invoicing system for 999 SAR one-time. No monthly fees. Ready in 48 hours. Get started โ
Businesses needing full ERP: Get Odoo ERP with native ZATCA compliance, inventory, CRM, POS, and HR. Book a consultation โ
Last updated: October 7, 2026
About the Author
This article was reviewed and published by the Taxample Editorial Team at Taxample.com, a licensed Odoo Partner and management consulting firm in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Our content is reviewed by Md. Mahdi Mobashir, Founder Partner & CEO โ Part-Qualified Chartered Accountant, Odoo Certified Professional, MBA (IBA), ITP. Learn more about Taxample.
