During the online consultation, reader giathinh.xaydung, aged 36 from Hanoi, asked: Why not implement a simpler bookkeeping regime, similar to the tax declaration process on e-commerce platforms? Could it be feasible to simply declare revenue and pay taxes at a fixed rate, without the need for complex accounting procedures?
The current requirements as per Circular 88/2021 are cumbersome and intricate. This creates significant challenges for small-scale traders, often resulting in errors or omissions in their tax filings.
Additionally, the mandate to issue invoices for every single transaction leads to substantial waste in terms of time, operational resources, and printing expenses. Even a busy convenience store selling instant noodles for VND 3,000 would need to issue an invoice, causing delays for customers and hindering the store’s business efficiency.
Addressing these concerns, Mr. Nguyen Duc Huy, Deputy Head of the Tax Department at the Taxation Agency, provided the following response:
The accounting regime outlined in Circular 88/2021 is applicable to households and individuals who are subject to the declaration-based taxation method.
Generating invoices during the sale of goods or provision of services enhances revenue transparency. Moreover, as per regulations, the issuance and receipt of electronic invoices can be managed electronically, eliminating the need for paper prints.
The Ministry of Finance is currently seeking feedback on the draft Law on Tax Administration (amended), which includes proposals regarding taxation methods and invoice utilization for households and individuals engaged in business activities. Your insights and suggestions are invaluable as the Ministry finalizes the draft for submission to the Government and subsequently, the National Assembly.
On a similar note, Ngoc An, a 49-year-old reader from Hung Yen, inquires: I’ve just started a vegetable business, and as per my understanding of the regulations, I’m required to issue invoices daily. However, this is quite challenging due to the continuous and small-scale nature of the transactions. Is it possible for me to issue invoices on a monthly basis, at the end of each month, instead?
Responding to this query, Ms. Nguyen Quynh Duong, CEO of Nhanh.vn, a multi-channel sales management software provider, clarifies that issuing invoices at the end of each month constitutes issuing invoices outside the stipulated timeframe. Invoices must be generated immediately upon the transfer of ownership of goods, irrespective of whether payment has been received.
Nevertheless, if your vegetable business generates an annual revenue below VND 1 billion, you are only required to declare taxes and are exempt from issuing invoices from a cash register as per Article 11 of Decree 70/2025. You can opt for the tax declaration method based on transaction occurrence.
Nguyen Van Cuong, a 33-year-old reader from Danang, raises another concern: The cost of using electronic invoices ranges from VND 500 to VND 1,000 per invoice. If I sell products worth VND 2,000 or even VND 1,000, can I charge an additional fee to cover these costs?
I also offer a loyalty program where customers accumulate points and receive a 1% discount on their next purchase. This discount is deducted from their total bill. How should this be reflected on the electronic invoice?
Ms. Dinh Thi Thuy, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at Misa, offers her insights: There are various packages available from electronic invoice service providers, offering reasonable rates for different volumes. Sellers are obligated to issue electronic invoices to buyers for every transaction, regardless of the value.
If a customer does not require an invoice, you are still mandated to issue it at the specified time and cannot combine it with other transactions. Ensure that you charge the exact amount for the goods without any additional fees. For repeat customers who are eligible for a discount, the corresponding amount will be reflected on the invoice, adjusted from the total bill value.
Phan Trang
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