Guide · Payments & compliance
E-invoicing in Azerbaijan (e-qaimə): what it means for your software
Azerbaijan has operated a mandatory electronic invoicing system — the electronic invoice, or e-qaimə-faktura (e-qaimə) — for years. For business software, it raises a practical question: if orders are created in your online store, CRM or portal, how do the corresponding invoices reach the tax system correctly? This guide explains the system at a high level and what to plan when automating. Details of tax obligations should be confirmed with your accountant.
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In short
In short
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E-invoicing (e-qaimə) became compulsory for VAT-registered taxpayers in 2017 and was later extended to most commercial taxpayers, according to international VAT summaries.
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Invoices are created and registered through the State Tax Service's Internet Tax Administration portal, e-taxes.gov.az.
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Invoices are signed with an enhanced electronic signature, such as ASAN İmza or SİMA.
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B2B and B2G transactions use e-invoices; B2C sales are recorded through cash registers of the required type.
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Most businesses issue invoices through their accounting software or the portal; the online store or CRM feeds the data.
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Guide
How the system works
The State Tax Service administers the Internet Tax Administration portal, where invoices are created and registered. Taxpayers can prepare invoices on the portal or with the state's electronic invoicing software (eFP), which allows offline preparation, then sign them with an enhanced electronic signature and upload them. Once signed and registered, the invoice is delivered to the buyer's tax account and is visible to the tax authority. The format is a structured XML defined by the tax authority.
Sources: VATupdate — Azerbaijan e-invoicing booklet, State Tax Service.
Who is affected
According to published summaries, the requirement applies to VAT-registered entities and, following later expansions, to most commercial taxpayers for B2B and B2G transactions. Consumer sales are recorded through cash registers of the required type, which also covers many online B2C payments. Exact obligations depend on your tax status; your accountant should confirm them.
Signatures
E-invoices are signed with an enhanced electronic signature. In practice, businesses use ASAN İmza, the mobile signature, or SİMA, the newer biometric digital signature app, or signature tokens. Signing is done by authorised persons of the company. See digital signatures: ASAN İmza and SİMA.
What this means for your software
Online stores and B2B portals
For B2B orders placed online, the store or portal collects the data the invoice needs — buyer's legal name, tax identification number (VÖEN), items, quantities, prices, VAT — and passes it to the accounting system or the person who issues invoices. Collecting correct buyer details at order time avoids corrections later. See VÖEN.
Accounting software and 1C
Many businesses issue e-invoices from their accounting software, which may support export to the tax system's format or integration through accredited solutions. The online store sends orders to accounting; accounting produces the invoice. See 1C integration.
Automation limits
Because invoices require an enhanced signature by an authorised person, fully automatic issuance without human involvement is not always possible or appropriate. A common design: the system prepares invoice data automatically, an authorised person reviews and signs. Any direct integration with the tax authority's systems must follow the official procedures and technical specifications — check what is currently supported.
Status back in your system
It is useful for the store or CRM to know when an invoice was issued and its number, so managers and clients can see it. This requires the invoicing step to report back — manually or through the accounting system's export.
Practical checklist
- Confirm with your accountant which transactions need e-invoices and who signs them.
- Collect buyer tax details in B2B checkouts and portals, with validation.
- Decide which system is the source of invoice data — usually accounting.
- Design the flow: order → accounting → e-invoice → status back to the store or CRM.
- Keep an audit trail linking orders, invoices and payments.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can our website issue e-invoices automatically?
Usually the website prepares data and the accounting system or the tax portal issues the invoice, signed by an authorised person. Full automation depends on official integration options and your processes.
Do B2C online orders need e-invoices?
Consumer sales are typically recorded through cash registers rather than e-invoices. How online payments and payments on delivery are recorded should be agreed with your accountant.
What is VÖEN?
The taxpayer identification number in Azerbaijan, required on B2B invoices. See VÖEN.