APPLICATION OF STANDARDS FOR EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION TO TAX AUTHORITIES

Abstract

The already known electronic file applicable to the needs of tax administrations, SAF-T is a widely applicable standard in a number of countries, through which online data transmission from taxpayers to tax control authorities is carried out, which was prepared and proposed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development - OECD. With the adoption of the State Budget Act for 2025 and the adopted amendments to the Tax, Insurance and Procedural Code - DOPK, the obligation to submit a SAF-T file for Bulgarian businesses is also introduced in our country. These innovations or reforms will be in effect from January 1, 2026 for large enterprises that meet a number of conditions listed in the Act, and by 2030. should cover almost all enterprises with minor exceptions relating to micro-enterprises, budget enterprises, etc., with a grace period of six months for the first submission. Information that will be needed by the NRA - National Revenue Agency, will be submitted via SAF-T, must include data on suppliers, customers, data on purchase and sales invoices, payments, goods movements, assets, products. The details and instructions related to the scope of data required for filling out a SAF-T file are specified in an order of the Executive Director of the NRA. With the approach of the phased introduction of the Standard Audit File for Tax Purposes - SAF-T in Bulgaria, the accounting community in our country is faced with a number of ambiguities and unnecessary burden related to the new requirements for submitting accounting information to the NRA. According to the latest amendments and additions to the Code of Civil Procedure (DOPK) dated 27.3.2025), the submission of the monthly SAF-T file, which must contain accounting records of purchases, sales, payments and other accruals, must be by the 14th of the following month, and the annual SAF-T file with information on fixed assets and inventories - simultaneously with the submission of the annual tax return. Although different deadlines for the entry into force of the obligation are provided for different categories of enterprises (from 2026 for large enterprises to 2030 for micro enterprises), the preparation and adaptation of the systems must begin early, as the changes are significant