What is the Fatoorah Platform?

The Fatoorah platform is an advanced electronic system managed by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, designed to manage and monitor electronic invoicing operations at the kingdom level. This platform serves as a technical link between commercial establishments and government entities, enabling companies to send their electronic invoices directly to the tax system for review and approval.

The platform is distinguished by its ability to process massive amounts of data in real-time, ensuring accurate tracking of commercial transactions and enhancing tax transparency. It also provides advanced programming interfaces that allow companies to integrate their internal accounting systems with the platform easily and securely.

Purpose of the Fatoorah Platform

The Fatoorah platform was specifically designed to support the second phase of the electronic invoicing system that requires direct connection and integration with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. Through this specialized design, the platform aims to achieve a set of strategic objectives that serve the Saudi economy and commercial establishments. The most prominent of these objectives include the following:

Enhancing Tax Transparency: The platform helps create a more transparent tax system by electronically documenting all commercial transactions, reducing tax evasion opportunities and ensuring the state receives its financial rights.

Digitizing the Commercial Sector: It pushes establishments toward adopting digital technologies in their daily operations, contributing to developing the private sector's technical infrastructure and increasing its operational efficiency.

Facilitating Government Oversight: It provides regulatory authorities with the ability to monitor commercial transactions in real-time, helping make informed economic decisions and develop appropriate commercial policies.

Protecting Consumer Rights: By ensuring the existence of a documented digital record of all transactions, the platform protects consumer rights and provides them with a means to verify the validity of commercial transactions.

Supporting Economic Integration: It facilitates commercial exchange operations between companies by standardizing electronic invoicing criteria, reducing administrative complexities and accelerating business pace.

Connecting Accounting Systems: It enables companies to connect their accounting systems and electronic invoicing solutions directly with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, ensuring immediate reporting and continuous compliance with regulatory requirements without manual intervention.

Registration Steps in the Fatoorah Platform

The registration process in the Fatoorah platform requires following specific systematic steps to ensure successful integration with the system. To register and activate correctly:

1. Portal Access: Visit the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority website, then navigate to the electronic invoicing section and Fatoorah platform.

2. Login: Use your account in the tax system (tax identification number and password).

3. Create Certificate Signing Request (CSR): In the second phase, create a CSR to obtain an electronic signature certificate.

4. Unit Activation: Install the connection unit (EGS) in your accounting system.

5. API Connection: Connect your system with the platform to send invoices automatically.

6. Testing and Activation: Test invoices in the experimental environment before official launch.

Video explaining the method of connection and integration with Fatoorah platform in the second phase of electronic invoicing using the Mezan system

Services Offered by the Fatoorah Platform

The Fatoorah platform provides a comprehensive set of technical and administrative services that support establishments in their journey toward advanced electronic invoicing. These services are designed to meet the needs of different company sizes and their diverse technical requirements:

Digital Certificate Management: The platform provides services for creating and managing electronic signature certificates (CSR) required for the second phase, with the ability to renew and cancel them as needed.

Viewing and Managing Devices: It enables establishments to monitor and manage all devices connected to the platform, including viewing connection status, activating or deactivating devices, and tracking the performance of each device individually.

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs): It allows developers and technical companies to connect their accounting systems with the platform through advanced programming interfaces that support all electronic invoicing operations.

Invoice Validation: It provides an immediate service for verifying the validity and integrity of electronic invoices before sending them, reducing the possibility of rejection or errors.

Invoice Status Tracking: It provides an advanced system for monitoring the status of all sent invoices, including accepted, rejected, and pending ones, with error details if any.

Reports and Statistics: It generates detailed reports on system performance, invoicing statistics, and success rates, helping companies improve their operations.

Testing Environment: It provides a safe testing environment that enables companies to try their integration with the platform before official operation, ensuring smooth operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is registration on the Fatoorah platform mandatory for all companies?

Registration is mandatory for companies subject to the second phase of the electronic invoicing system, which includes establishments with high revenues and companies specified by the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. The first phase requires issuing electronic invoices without direct connection.

2. How long does the registration and activation process take on the platform?

The initial registration process usually takes one to three business days, while the technical connection and testing process may need one to two weeks depending on the complexity of the accounting system and the company's readiness.

3. What is the cost of using the Fatoorah platform?

The Fatoorah platform is free from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, but companies may need additional costs to develop or purchase technical solutions for connecting with the platform.

4. What happens in case of connection interruption with the platform?

In case of connection interruption, companies can continue issuing invoices locally, then send them to the platform when connection is restored. The platform provides mechanisms to handle these cases to ensure business operations do not stop.

5. Can invoices be modified after sending them to the platform?

Invoices cannot be modified after being sent and accepted by the platform. In case of errors, a credit note or debit note must be issued according to the nature of the error and regulatory requirements.

6. How can you ensure successful invoice delivery?

The platform provides immediate notifications about the status of each invoice (accepted, rejected, pending) with error details if any. You can also view detailed reports on all sent invoices through the platform interface.

Conclusion

The Fatoorah platform represents a fundamental pillar in the digital transformation journey of the Saudi economy, contributing to developing a more transparent and efficient business environment. By providing advanced technical solutions for electronic invoicing, the platform helps companies comply with regulatory requirements and improve their financial operations.

Success in integrating with the Fatoorah platform requires advance planning and appropriate technical preparation, in addition to a deep understanding of the requirements of each phase of the system. Investment in appropriate technical solutions and adequate team training ensures a smooth transition to the new system.

With the continued evolution of the system and expansion of its application scope, the Fatoorah platform remains a vital tool for ensuring tax transparency and supporting sustainable economic growth. Companies that efficiently adopt this system will find themselves in a better position to benefit from future digital opportunities and enhance their competitiveness in the market.