Facturas

Facturas are formal documents issued by a seller to a buyer that itemize goods or services provided, their quantities, unit prices, applicable taxes, and the total amount due. They serve as a request for payment and as the primary record for the transaction for both accounting and tax purposes.

Typical contents include: names and addresses of seller and buyer, tax identification numbers, issue date and unique invoice number, description of each item with quantity and price, subtotals, applicable taxes (such as VAT or sales tax), total amount, payment terms, due date, currency, and payment method. The document also attests to the transfer of ownership or completion of service when applicable.

Variants include ordinary invoices (factura ordinaria), simplified invoices (factura simplificada) in certain contexts with lower thresholds, and electronic invoices (facturas electrónicas). A pro forma invoice (factura proforma) is a preliminary document that anticipates an actual sale and is not typically a tax receipt.

Electronic invoicing has grown substantially, often involving validated XML or JSON formats, digital signatures or seals, and submission to tax authorities. Electronic formats improve traceability, reduce fraud, and facilitate compliance with reporting and retention requirements.

Legal framework and requirements differ by country and tax regime, including mandatory fields, tax calculation methods, and retention periods. In many jurisdictions, businesses must retain invoices for several years and provide access during audits; accurate invoicing supports tax deduction rights for buyers and revenue collection for authorities.