If you run a service business in Saudi Arabia and you’re VAT-registered, e-invoicing isn’t optional — it’s a legal requirement. This guide explains the essentials clearly, and shows where a booking system helps and where you need a specialized solution.

What is ZATCA e-invoicing?

E-invoicing ("Fatoora") is issuing and storing invoices in a structured electronic format instead of paper, mandated by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. It aims to raise transparency and tax compliance and applies to VAT-registered businesses (VAT is 15%).

The two phases

  • Phase 1 (Generation): began on 4 December 2021, requiring invoices to be issued and stored electronically in an approved format including the required fields and a QR code for simplified invoices.
  • Phase 2 (Integration): rolling out in waves since 1 January 2023, requiring your invoicing solution to integrate with ZATCA’s Fatoora platform in a defined format (XML) according to each business’s assigned wave.

What you practically need

  • A ZATCA-compliant, approved e-invoicing solution to issue invoices in the required format.
  • Organized records of your services, prices, customers, and payments to make issuing the correct invoice easier.
  • Stored invoices and ongoing compliance per your Phase 2 wave.

Where does Hajzi help?

Hajzi keeps your bookings, services, payments, and customer records organized in one place, which makes issuing accurate invoices and tracking revenue easier. The ZATCA-compliant e-invoicing itself (format and integration) is best handled through a ZATCA-approved solution. Together, you get organized operations plus compliance.

Note: this article is general awareness, not legal or tax advice. Check the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority website or your tax advisor for the up-to-date requirements specific to your business and wave.