Introduction

The Electronic Fiscal Receipting and Invoicing System (EFRIS) is a new framework implemented by the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) to streamline business operations in Uganda. EFRIS is an automated compliance process designed to manage the allocation and centralized tracking of invoices and receipts for specified taxpayers in the country. This article explores how EFRIS works, its benefits, and its impact on business practices in Uganda.

How EFRIS Works

EFRIS operates using Electronic Fiscal Devices (EFDs) and ERP systems to facilitate the generation of electronic invoices and receipts, in accordance with the Tax Procedures Code Act 2014. The process involves several steps:

• Pre-registration: All businesses in Uganda must register with the EFRIS system via the URA’s website.
• Generating e-invoices: Businesses submit their electronic sales invoices to the URA for approval. Once approved, the invoice can be sent to the customer.
• EFRIS Platform: The platform decrypts the received invoice data, performs validation, and converts it into an e-invoice.
• E-invoice transmission: The validated e-invoice is sent back to the business, which then issues it to the customer.

Benefits of EFRIS

EFRIS provides several advantages for businesses and the government, including:

• Transparency: Ensures that all transactions are transparent, reducing the chances of fraud.
• Prevention of Fraudulent Purchases: Mitigates the risk of false transactions and refund claims.
• Digital Record-Keeping: Encourages businesses to maintain digital records, preventing loss or damage of physical documents.
• Ease of Compliance: Simplifies tax compliance processes for businesses.

Conclusion

EFRIS is a significant development in Uganda’s business landscape, aiming to enhance transparency and efficiency in transactions. By automating the process of generating and tracking invoices and receipts, EFRIS helps prevent fraud and ensures accurate record-keeping. This new system is a step forward in improving the ease of doing business in Uganda, providing benefits for both the government and the business community.