ZATCA Compliance

Saudi E-Invoicing Phase 2: Everything You Need to Know

A complete guide to ZATCA Phase 2 requirements, deadlines, and how to ensure your business is fully compliant.

Published April 28, 20268 min readPro Master Editorial
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What is ZATCA Phase 2?

ZATCA (Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority) Phase 2, also known as the Integration Phase, requires all VAT-registered businesses in Saudi Arabia to integrate their e-invoicing systems with ZATCA's Fatoora platform. This means invoices must be generated, reported, or cleared through ZATCA's system in real-time or near real-time.

Key Requirements

1. Cryptographic Stamp Every invoice must include a cryptographic stamp (digital signature) using ECDSA secp256k1 encryption. This ensures the authenticity and integrity of each invoice.

2. UUID (Universally Unique Identifier) Each invoice must have a unique UUID that cannot be reused. This prevents duplicate invoicing and ensures a complete audit trail.

3. Hash Chain Invoices must be linked using a hash chain (PIH - Previous Invoice Hash). Each invoice references the hash of the previous invoice, making tampering detectable.

4. QR Code All simplified invoices (B2C) must include a QR code containing: seller name, VAT number, invoice date/time, total amount, VAT amount, and invoice hash.

5. XML Format (UBL 2.1) Invoices must be in XML format conforming to the Saudi Arabian standard (UBL 2.1), not just PDF.

Clearance vs Reporting

Clearance (Standard Invoices - B2B):

  • Invoice must be sent to ZATCA BEFORE being shared with buyer
  • ZATCA validates and stamps the invoice
  • Only after clearance can you share with the buyer
  • Response time: typically within seconds

Reporting (Simplified Invoices - B2C):

  • Invoice can be issued immediately to customer
  • Must be reported to ZATCA within 24 hours
  • Batch reporting is allowed

Timeline and Waves

ZATCA is implementing Phase 2 in waves based on annual revenue:

WaveRevenue ThresholdGo-Live Date
--------------------------------------
Wave 1Above 3 billion SARJanuary 2023
Wave 2Above 500 million SARJuly 2023
Wave 3Above 250 million SAROctober 2023
Wave 4Above 150 million SARNovember 2023
Wave 5Above 100 million SARDecember 2023
Wave 6+Remaining businessesOngoing

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with ZATCA Phase 2 can result in:

  • Fines starting from SAR 1,000 per invoice
  • Business suspension
  • Reputational damage

How Pro Master Helps

Pro Master is fully ZATCA Phase 2 compliant. Our platform automatically:

  • Generates UBL 2.1 XML invoices
  • Applies ECDSA secp256k1 digital signatures
  • Manages UUID and hash chain
  • Generates compliant QR codes
  • Submits to ZATCA for clearance/reporting
  • Stores compliance records for audit purposes

Start your free trial today and be ZATCA compliant from day one.

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