What Are the Main Differences Between e-Invoice and e-Archive Invoice?

 

     In this article, we explore e-Invoice and e-Archive Invoice, two essential components of digital transformation, and explain the key differences between these electronic documents.

 

Today, creating invoices electronically and delivering them to customers within seconds has made business operations considerably easier. These digital documents, which save businesses both time and money, have become an indispensable part of modern business processes. However, although both applications serve similar purposes, businesses may sometimes have questions about when and how each should be used.

 

     In this article, we examine the purposes, features, and key differences of e-Invoice and e-Archive Invoice to answer some of the most common questions.

 

 

What Is an e-Invoice and How Does It Work?

 

     One of the first steps businesses take toward digitalization is switching to the e-Invoice system. An e-Invoice is the electronic version of a traditional invoice, a document that specifies the amount a customer owes following the sale of goods or services. In other words, it is the digital equivalent of a paper invoice.

 

The e-Invoice application enables businesses to issue invoices more quickly, simplify their accounting processes, and reduce expenses related to paper, printing, and delivery. To use this system, both the seller issuing the invoice and the buyer receiving it must be registered e-Invoice users.

 

     Let's illustrate this with an example. Imagine a supplier of shoe-making materials that is registered in the e-Invoice system and sells its products to a shoe manufacturer. Following the sale, the supplier needs to issue an invoice. If the shoe manufacturer is also registered in the e-Invoice system, the invoice can be created and delivered electronically as an e-Invoice.

 

However, if the buyer is not registered in the e-Invoice system, the seller must issue an e-Archive Invoice instead.

 

 

What Is an e-Archive Invoice?

 

     An e-Archive Invoice is a type of electronic invoice designed primarily for businesses that are not registered in the e-Invoice system and for end consumers. It allows businesses to create invoices digitally, deliver them to recipients, and store them electronically.

 

     The e-Archive Invoice application is used for invoices issued to recipients who are not registered in the e-Invoice system. This enables businesses to send electronic invoices to customers who do not use e-Invoices.

 

For example, a business receiving an e-Archive Invoice may want to check whether the document has been included in the reports submitted to the Turkish Revenue Administration (GİB). In such cases, users can perform an e-Archive Invoice verification to access the relevant invoice information.

 

Although e-Invoice and e-Archive Invoice have similar structures and are both created electronically, they differ in terms of their intended recipients, delivery methods, and reporting procedures.

 

 

What Are the Differences Between e-Invoice and e-Archive Invoice?

 

To make it easier to understand how e-Invoice and e-Archive Invoice differ, we have summarized their main features in the comparison table below.

 

e-Invoice	e-Archive Invoice
An electronic invoicing application that enables businesses registered in the e-Invoice system to issue, send, and receive invoices electronically.	An electronic invoicing application that enables businesses to issue and store invoices for companies and individuals who are not registered in the e-Invoice system.
Used for sales of goods and services between businesses registered in the e-Invoice system.	Used to issue invoices to businesses that are not registered in the e-Invoice system and to end consumers purchasing goods or services.
Issued invoices are delivered to recipients through the Turkish Revenue Administration's system.	e-Archive Invoices are reported to the Turkish Revenue Administration in accordance with applicable regulations. Depending on the system used, reporting can also be handled through private integrators.
Businesses that are not legally required to use e-Invoices can also register voluntarily. By using e-Invoice and e-Archive Invoice together, businesses can issue electronic invoices to different customer groups.	Businesses can use e-Archive Invoice in accordance with applicable regulations and system requirements. They can also issue e-Archive Invoices through private integrators.
e-Invoices do not include a timestamp.	e-Archive Invoices include a timestamp.
e-Invoices are delivered electronically to the recipient's system, replacing traditional paper invoices.	e-Archive Invoices can be delivered electronically or as printed copies, subject to the applicable regulations.

 

 

e-Invoice and e-Archive Invoice Requirements

 

     The requirements for adopting e-Invoice and e-Archive Invoice applications are determined by the regulations published by the Turkish Revenue Administration. Businesses' obligations to adopt these applications may vary depending on factors such as their industry, annual gross sales revenue, and other applicable criteria.

 

For this reason, businesses should keep up with current regulations and choose the electronic invoicing application that best suits their operations.