E- MECeF: Reform of standardized invoices

No more excuses for companies,  even less for economic operators wishing to comply with the regulations governing the reform of standardized invoices for a long time in Benin to keep pace.

Faced with the high cost of Certified Electronic Billing Machines (MECeF), some companies were deflating and were under the law. Very attentive to all companies, the Directorate General of Taxes has designed a platform accessible to firms but also to individual consultants. Two options are now available to legal persons depending on the activity. The purchase of the physical machine or the creation of an e-mecef account (e-mecef.impots.bj) to issue standardized invoices for each transaction. Important information from circular note N ° 504 MEF / CAB / SGM / DGI / DLC-DPSE dated 23 Avril 2021 signed by the Director General of Taxes Nicolas Yénoussi.

The advantages of this reform according to the DGI

- At the legal level, the reform allows companies to comply with commercial legislation which requires traders to issue invoices with mandatory information when performing commercial acts

- At the accounting level, there will be an improvement in the company's accounting. Indeed, revenue from sales is secured, the management of merchandise stocks is easy. Cases of theft at the cash register, overbilling or any other fraudulent maneuver ;

- Fight against unfair competition : all companies subject to VAT will now deduct this tax and pay it back in full after deduction of input VAT. The MECEFs thus ensure tax justice. Competitive advantages will therefore no longer be dictated by the propensity to defraud more but above all by the quality of the goods and services marketed..

- The authenticity and integrity of buying and selling operations : a standardized invoice cannot be rejected by an inspector during tax audits ;

- Reduced presence of tax inspectors in companies for checks ;

- The use of MECeF guarantees investor confidence (partners and shareholders)

- The reduction in tax evasion will have as a corollary the widening of the tax base and could ultimately lead to a reduction in the tax burden for taxpayers.

A major advance that offers a cheaper choice so that everyone can be legal.

Leonard SONEHEKPON