Back to publications The echoes of the surprise decision by the Minister of Finance to delay the mandatory implementation of the National e-Invoice System (KSeF), which was scheduled to begin on July 1, 2024, are still being heard. It turns out that, at this stage, the system contains a significant number of technical errors that could undermine the stability of business operations. As a result, a decision has been made to postpone the system’s implementation. Should taxpayers be pleased with this decision?
For several years, there has been talk of a genuine revolution in invoicing, aimed at tightening the VAT system and increasing state revenue. As expected, the costs of this revolution will fall on entrepreneurs, who must adapt their internal systems to the new requirements. In practice, this involves a reorganization of the entire accounting system, which brings both financial and time-related costs.
The new requirement was set to take effect on July 1, 2024. It is no surprise that some entrepreneurs have already taken steps to implement the new system within their businesses. They now fear that their efforts may go to waste, as new technical or legal requirements could be introduced.
It is worth recalling that during a January press briefing, the Minister of Finance announced that the KSeF would not be abandoned, as it is essential for the Polish economy. Ministry representatives reassured that work on improving the system would not start from scratch, and the system would not differ significantly from the current version. The ministry acknowledges that some companies have already invested significant effort and resources into preparing for the system’s implementation, and therefore it will aim to minimize the necessary changes. What should entrepreneurs do? Should they halt their work and wait for the results of the audit?
In reality, there is no single correct answer, as we know all too well how our lawmakers can surprise us. However, in this case, such surprises are unlikely. The implementation of the KSeF in businesses is a highly complex process that requires substantial time and attention. Entrepreneurs who have not yet started implementing any changes or have only just begun reviewing their accounting processes should continue with their efforts. The external audit announced by the ministry will focus solely on technical aspects, so companies can continue working at this stage, as they will undoubtedly make use of their current efforts in the future. The additional time can be used to review their accounting, sales, purchasing, and document circulation processes. Regardless of the technical solutions that will be included in the final version of the KSeF, this work should be done and will certainly assist in the smooth implementation of the new system.
The situation becomes more problematic for entrepreneurs who are already at a more advanced stage, primarily focused on adapting their systems to the KSeF, as there may be some changes in this area, though it is still unclear how significant these changes will be. The new deadline for mandatory KSeF use is expected to be announced between late April and May, at which point the results of the external audit will also be revealed. For those who are significantly advanced in their KSeF implementation, it may be wise to wait for these few months to avoid incurring additional costs or having to redo the same work.
Entrepreneurs should use this additional time, in particular, to familiarize themselves with the system in its current form, train their staff, and identify any shortcomings, so they can act quickly and successfully when the new mandatory KSeF implementation deadline is announced. Doing nothing is certainly not a good solution and will only lead to unnecessary confusion and stress, which can be reduced by taking the appropriate actions.
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