Regulatory updates - Mauritius

As previously reported by Pagero, the Mauritius Revenue Authority (MRA) is in the process of rolling out a countrywide e-invoicing mandate. The implementation is set out in two phases.

Phase 1 started back in June 2023, requires solution providers and software developers of Electronic Billing Systems (EBS) to register, test and self-certify their systems for compliance with the MRA e-invoicing system.

Phase 2 is expected to start in Q1 of 2024, and first targets taxpayers with an annual turnover exceeding Rs 100 million (EUR 2,1 million). Phase 2 will over time be further broken down into several stages to include more taxpayers.

Taxpayers in the scope of the mandate will be required to use compliant EBS and transmit their invoices in real-time in a structured JSON format to be fiscalized by the MRA e-invoicing system before issuing them to their buyers. This obligation also includes receipts, credit notes and debit notes. As a part of the fiscalization process, the MRA e-invoicing system will assign an Invoice Registration Number (IRN) and a Quick Response (QR) code to the documents.

After amending their Value Added Tax Act, Mauritius now requires businesses to have an electronic connection with the tax authority. This involves registering all invoices, debit notes, and credit notes. The project plans to approach the implementation in phases, beginning with large companies and eventually leading to smaller businesses in the jurisdiction.

Businesses will have to obtain the necessary equipment and software to comply with the new E-Invoicing obligations. The issuance of electronic invoices will encompass the submission of transaction data to the Electronic Billing System (EBS) via the seller’s fiscalization device. The final transmission occurs from the EBS to the Invoice Fiscalization Platform (IFP).

After the invoice details are transmitted to the EBS and IFP, the Fiscal data, including a QR code, will be returned to the POS (Point of Sale) in real-time. The consumer may use the QR code to confirm if the transaction has been reported to the MRA.

There is no implicit timeline regarding the phased approach of the E-Invoicing project, but dates should be announced soon.