Brussels, 12 December 2024 - From 1 January 2026, Belgian VAT-registered companies will be required to send and receive structured electronic invoices. This measure is part of a broader digital transformation aimed at making businesses more efficient, transparent and competitive. The Institute for Tax Advisors and Accountants (ITAA) and Unifiedpost (Billtobox) jointly conducted a survey of accountants to identify the current status and challenges. The responses show that almost 25% of firms are already currently using a solution, indicating a challenge in preparing for this transition.
A mixed picture of e-invoicing preparations
The survey offers a keen insight into how businesses and accountants are preparing for the e-invoicing requirement that will take effect in 2026. About 25% of businesses currently appear to be ready to send and receive structured electronic invoices. This means that the vast majority of Belgian companies still need to make an effort to be ready in time.
Tax advisors and accountants also signal these challenges: 70% indicate that less than a quarter of their clients are prepared for the transition to e-invoicing. Yet accountants and tax advisors are taking their responsibility in this transition, as 95% of them say they actively inform their clients about the new obligations and possibilities. For the average SME, the transition is not that difficult.
‘Switching to e-invoicing may seem like a big change, but in practice it is easy to implement,’ says Christophe Vanhoutte, Country Manager Belgium at Unifiedpost. ‘With user-friendly tools like Billtobox and the guidance of their accountant, entrepreneurs can quickly get started. It's a smart move that not only helps comply with legal obligations, but also saves companies time and resources.’
Most accountants and tax advisers have already taken concrete steps. For instance, 47% already have a solution they can offer their clients. The vast majority have drawn up an action plan to implement e-invoicing with their clients or will do so in the near future. In addition, 58% of accountants say they are confident of a successful transition to e-invoicing. And rightly so: nobody today has nostalgia for paper bank statements, soon the same will be true for invoices..
Accountants as drivers of transition
With just over a year to go, swift action is needed. Accountants play a key role here in three key areas:
- Information provision: 95% of accountants are actively taking responsibility for making customers aware of the obligation and benefits of e-invoicing.
- Implementation of systems: Although 47% have already implemented systems for clients, further guidance is essential to get more companies ready.
- Guidance during the transition: Accountants act as partners supporting companies in choosing the right tools and adapting their processes.
According to Bart Van Coile, president of the ITAA: "The transition to e-invoicing is an obligation, but also an opportunity for companies to optimise their processes. It is essential that companies act now to meet the 2026 deadline. Accountants and tax advisers play a crucial role in this by guiding companies. This is evidenced by the fact that 85% of members have drawn up an action plan or will do so in the near future."
Conclusion: time for action
With the introduction of the e-invoicing obligation on 1 January 2026, Belgian companies need to prepare quickly. Accountants and tax advisers play a key role in this by supporting companies in choosing and implementing systems and guiding them during the transition.
More information in the full report
The full results of the survey are available in Dutch and French.
For further questions on the obligation and how companies can prepare, please contact:
- Bart Van Coile (Chairman, ITAA):
- +32 475 27 44 11
- Frederik Billiet (Sales Director, Unifiedpost)
- frederik.billiet@unifiedpost.com, +32 476 60 00 68
- Christophe Vanhoutte (Country Manager, Unifiedpost)
- christophe.vanhoutte@unifiedpost.com, +32 488 22 55 10
About ITAA and Unifiedpost Group
Since 2017, ITAA and Unifiedpost Group, the parent company behind Billtobox, have been working together to support accountants and entrepreneurs in the transition to e-invoicing. This partnership provides secure, flexible and affordable solutions to make businesses ready for the future while respecting the legislation, independence and professional secrecy of ITAA members.
ITAA: The ITAA is responsible for the organisation of the accounting and tax adviser professions, including access to the profession, management of the public register and supervision of professional practice. The ITAA represents nearly 15,000 members (natural persons), of whom about 3,500 are trainees. Together with office staff, there are about 35,000 people employed in the sector. These 35,000 people serve 99% of companies in Belgium, especially SMEs. ITAA members are subject to strict deontological rules and rules of professional competence that guarantee the quality of their advice and their independence. This also serves the public interest..
Unifiedpost Group: Unifiedpost is a leading cloud-based platform for SME business services built on “Documents”, “Identity” and “Payments”. Unifiedpost operates and develops a 100% cloud-based platform for administrative and financial services that allows real-time and seamless connections between Unifiedpost’s customers, their suppliers, their customers, and other parties along the financial value chain. With its one-stop-shop solutions, Unifiedpost’s mission is to make administrative and financial processes simple and smart for its customers.
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