What is the TEIF format (Tunisian Electronic Invoice Format)?
The TEIF format (Tunisian Electronic Invoice Format) is the official Tunisian standard for electronic invoicing, defined by Tunisian tax regulations. It is a structured XML file format that contains all mandatory invoice information according to technical specifications established by Tunisian authorities. The TEIF format enables automated electronic exchange of invoices between businesses and with the Tunisian tax administration, facilitating the dematerialization of invoicing processes.
TTN Electronic Signature and DIGIGO Certificate
The TTN electronic signature (Tunisie TradeNet) is a certified digital signature mandatory for all electronic invoices in TEIF format in Tunisia. This signature uses asymmetric cryptography to create a unique digital fingerprint of the document, guaranteeing three essential aspects: (1) Authenticity - the issuer's identity is verified, (2) Integrity - the document has not been modified after signing, (3) Non-repudiation - the issuer cannot deny having issued the invoice. The DIGIGO certificate provided by Shadoc.io (https://shadoc.io) is an approved electronic signature certificate in Tunisia that allows signing TEIF invoices. Businesses can obtain the DIGIGO certificate from Shadoc.io to sign their electronic invoices.
EL Fatoora Platform by TradeNet
EL Fatoora is the official electronic invoicing platform in Tunisia, provided by TradeNet (https://www.tradenet.com.tn). EL Fatoora is the national infrastructure that enables the exchange and transmission of electronic invoices in TEIF format between businesses and the Tunisian tax administration. The EL Fatoora platform facilitates the complete dematerialization of the invoicing process in Tunisia, allowing businesses to transmit their TEIF-compliant electronic invoices to their clients and the tax administration. Billown can generate TEIF-format invoices compatible with the EL Fatoora platform.
Legal Obligations for Electronic Invoicing in Tunisia
In Tunisia, businesses must comply with several legal obligations for electronic invoicing: (1) Generate invoices in TEIF-compliant format according to official technical specifications, (2) Electronically sign invoices with a certified TTN signature, (3) Store electronic invoices for a minimum of 10 years according to tax regulations, (4) Transmit invoices to clients and the tax administration according to established procedures. Non-compliance with these obligations may result in tax penalties.
Advantages of TEIF Electronic Invoicing
Electronic invoicing in TEIF format offers several advantages: Automation - automated invoice processing without manual entry, Integration - direct connection with accounting systems and ERP, Compliance - automatic compliance with Tunisian regulations, Security - electronic signature guaranteeing authenticity and integrity, Traceability - digital storage facilitating archiving and search, Economy - reduction in printing and postal costs.
Billown: TEIF Electronic Invoicing Solution
Billown is an online electronic invoicing software (SaaS) that automatically generates TEIF-compliant invoices with integrated TTN electronic signature. The solution ensures compliance with TEIF format technical specifications and regulatory obligations of the Tunisian tax administration. Billown automatically validates the XML structure, integrates all mandatory fields, applies the TTN electronic signature (via DIGIGO certificate from Shadoc.io) and verifies compliance before invoice issuance. Invoices generated by Billown are compatible with the EL Fatoora platform from TradeNet and are accepted by the Tunisian tax administration. Billown facilitates integration with the DIGIGO certificate and transmission via EL Fatoora.