E-Invoicing Made Simple & Compliant with Horizon EBS
35+ years of ERP leadership in the GCC since 1992. The trusted partner who guided businesses through VAT, ZATCA, and Corporate Tax — now fully equipped for UAE's E-Invoicing mandate, pre-integrated with FTA-listed ASP Taxilla and open to any approved ASP.
Regulatory Transformations in UAE & GCC
Over three decades, the UAE and GCC have undergone landmark fiscal, digital, and regulatory transformations that reshaped how businesses operate. Horizon EBS — founded in 1992 — has been present at every inflection point, helping clients adapt from Day One.
Rise of UAE as a Regional Business Hub
UAE's pro-business policies, free zone expansions, and infrastructure boom attracted global enterprises — creating urgent demand for enterprise-grade ERP and financial management software in the region.
Building GCC's ERP Foundation from Dubai
Frontline Information Technology launched Horizon ERP as one of the earliest purpose-built enterprise platforms for the GCC's contracting, construction, trading, and facility management sectors.
Dubai's Knowledge Economy & Vision 2021
Launch of DIFC, major infrastructure projects, and UAE's Vision 2021 plan signalled a shift toward a knowledge-based, digitally-enabled economy — requiring businesses to upgrade their processes and systems.
Scaling Across Industries & GCC Markets
Horizon ERP expanded its footprint across Construction, MEP, Oil & Gas, Facility Management, and Real Estate — growing into Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Bahrain.
Introduction of VAT — A Historic First for the GCC
On 1 January 2018, UAE and Saudi Arabia introduced a 5% Value Added Tax — the first such fiscal transformation in the Gulf's history. Every VAT-registered business had to overhaul invoicing, accounting, and filing processes.
Day-One VAT Compliance for Hundreds of Clients
Horizon was among the first ERP providers to deliver fully VAT-compliant modules for both UAE and KSA. Hundreds of clients went live with FTA-compliant tax invoices from January 1, 2018.
ZATCA E-Invoicing (FATOORA) — GCC's First E-Invoice Mandate
Saudi Arabia became the first GCC nation to mandate e-invoicing via ZATCA. Phase 1 required structured XML invoices. Phase 2 introduced real-time clearance with API-based submission.
Full ZATCA Integration Delivered Across Both Phases
Horizon built and deployed complete FATOORA integration — UBL XML generation, clearance API submission, and error handling workflows for both Phase 1 and Phase 2.
UAE Federal Corporate Tax — End of a Tax-Free Era
Effective June 2023, UAE introduced a 9% federal Corporate Tax — ending decades of zero corporate taxation. Businesses had to restructure their chart of accounts and financial reporting entirely.
Rapid Corporate Tax Module Deployment
Horizon delivered Corporate Tax reporting modules, deferred tax calculation support, and Transfer Pricing documentation capabilities — enabling clients to comply from their very first CT fiscal year.
UAE E-Invoicing Mandate — The Next Transformation
The FTA is implementing a Continuous Transaction Control (CTC) e-invoicing framework for all VAT-registered businesses. Built on PEPPOL / UBL 2.1 standards with real-time ASP validation.
Horizon EBS is Fully E-Invoicing Ready
Horizon ERP now includes PEPPOL-compliant UBL 2.1 XML generation, real-time ASP connectivity, and a clearance status dashboard. Pre-integrated with FTA-listed Taxilla. Go live in 4 weeks.
UAE E-Invoicing — What You Need to Know
The UAE Federal Tax Authority (FTA) is implementing a Continuous Transaction Controls (CTC) model for e-invoicing. Every VAT-registered business will be required to issue structured digital invoices, validated in real-time through an FTA approved Accredited Service Provider (ASP).
The Continuous Transaction Controls (CTC) Model
Unlike simple PDF invoicing, UAE's e-invoicing mandate requires invoices to be generated in a structured digital format (PEPPOL BIS / UBL 2.1 XML) and transmitted in real-time to the FTA via an Accredited Service Provider (ASP) before they can be delivered to the buyer.
This "clearance" model ensures tax authorities have visibility into every B2B and B2G transaction as it happens — eliminating gaps in VAT reporting and dramatically reducing fraud.
Key Requirements at a Glance
- Structured UBL 2.1 XML format with all FTA-mandated fields
- Real-time submission via an FTA-listed ASP
- FTA clearance before buyer delivery (CTC model)
- Minimum 5-year digital archival of all invoices
CTC E-Invoicing Process Flow
Structured Digital Format
PEPPOL BIS / UBL 2.1 XML invoices with all FTA-mandated fields — supplier TRN, buyer TRN, VAT lines, and totals.
Real-Time CTC Reporting
Invoices cleared by the FTA in real-time via your chosen ASP before delivery to the buyer — fully automated.
Open ASP Connectivity
Connect Horizon EBS to any FTA-listed Accredited Service Provider via standardized APIs.
5-Year Archival
Cleared invoices stored securely for a minimum of 5 years with searchable audit retrieval.
Dashboard & Alerts
Real-time clearance tracking, rejection alerts, auto-retry workflows, and VAT reconciliation in one portal.
UAE E-Invoicing Implementation Phases
The FTA is phasing the e-invoicing rollout by business size and sector. Know your timeline and start preparing now.
Large Taxpayers & Government Entities
Large enterprises and government-linked entities above the defined revenue threshold. Pilot programs and ASP onboarding are underway.
Mid-Size VAT-Registered Businesses
Medium enterprises in B2B transactions above the mandatory threshold. Full ERP integration with ASP required.
Small Businesses & B2C Scope
Broader coverage for smaller VAT-registered businesses and eventually B2C transactions with simplified reporting.
Our compliance team can assess your VAT registration profile and advise on your timeline.
E-Invoicing Readiness Checklist
Use this checklist to understand your current position and what must be in place before going live with UAE e-invoicing.
Business & Legal Prerequisites
- Valid UAE TRN active with FTA and EmaraTax portal access confirmed
- All B2B and B2G invoice transactions scoped and identified
- Invoice types documented: Tax Invoice, Credit Note, Debit Note
- Supplier and customer TRN data validated and up to date
- Legal and finance team briefed on CTC mandate requirements
- FTA-approved ASP selected (or choose Taxilla via Horizon)
Horizon EBS Integration
- Horizon EBS on supported version with e-invoicing module enabled
- E-invoicing license module activated in your Horizon subscription
- ASP API credentials configured (Taxilla pre-integrated, or custom ASP)
- UBL 2.1 XML field mapping completed for your invoice templates
- UAT completed in sandbox and go-live sign-off received
Technical & IT Requirements
- Stable internet with outbound HTTPS access to ASP API endpoints
- ASP API URLs whitelisted in firewall / network security policy
- UBL 2.1 XML schema compliance verified and tested end-to-end
- Archival system for e-invoices configured (5+ year retention)
- Exception workflow for rejected invoices configured and tested
Organizational Readiness
- Accounts team trained on e-invoicing workflow within Horizon EBS
- IT team briefed on integration architecture and troubleshooting
- Business continuity plan for e-invoicing system downtime defined
- Supplier and customer go-live communication prepared
- Internal audit and reconciliation process defined
- Non-compliance penalty risk assessed and management sign-off secured
How Horizon Powers Your E-Invoicing
From invoice creation to FTA clearance — four automated steps, zero manual intervention.
Invoice Creation
Auto-generates UBL XML from your existing sales and billing data
Horizon EBS
The central compliance hub connecting your business to UAE e-invoicing
ASP Transmission
API submission to Taxilla (pre-integrated) or any FTA-listed ASP
Clearance & Archive
FTA clearance tracked, invoice delivered, archived 5+ years
Open to Any FTA-Listed ASP. Pre-Connected to Taxilla.
Horizon EBS is built on open API standards — meaning you can connect it to any ASP on the FTA's approved list, without being locked into a single provider.
Our pre-built integration with Taxilla — one of the FTA's officially listed ASPs with 25 years of global e-invoicing experience across 40+ countries — gives Horizon clients the fastest path to compliance.
Our Pre-Integrated ASP Partner
25 years of e-invoicing expertise globally. Horizon clients who choose Taxilla get a pre-tested, certified integration — no additional ASP onboarding required.
FTA E-Invoicing Solution Architecture
UAE E-Invoicing Requirements & Horizon Coverage
| Requirement | FTA Specification | Status | Horizon Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invoice Format | PEPPOL BIS / UBL 2.1 XML | Mandatory | Built-in XML generator |
| ASP Submission | Real-time via FTA-listed ASP API | Mandatory | Multi-ASP open API |
| Supplier TRN | 15-digit UAE Tax Registration Number | Mandatory | Validated in master data |
| Invoice Archival | Minimum 5 years digital storage | Mandatory | Encrypted archive module |
| Credit / Debit Notes | Linked to original invoice UUID | Mandatory | Reference linkage built-in |
| Multi-Currency | AED reporting with FX reference | Mandatory | Multi-currency with AED conversion |
| Clearance Status | FTA approval before buyer delivery | Phase 1 | Real-time status dashboard |
| B2C Scope | Simplified reporting model | Future | Roadmap 2027 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about UAE e-invoicing and how Horizon simplifies your compliance journey.
E-invoicing is being rolled out in phases, starting with large taxpayers and government-linked entities. It is not yet mandatory for all businesses, but the FTA has indicated a progressive rollout covering all VAT-registered businesses. Given the approaching deadlines, starting preparation now is strongly recommended to avoid last-minute disruption.
An Accredited Service Provider (ASP) is an FTA-approved intermediary that connects your ERP to the FTA’s central platform. You must use a listed ASP — there is no direct connection option. Horizon gives you the freedom to choose any approved ASP, or use our pre-integrated Taxilla partnership for the fastest go-live with no extra onboarding effort.
No. Horizon EBS is being enhanced with a dedicated e-invoicing module. Existing customers need a version upgrade and module activation — not a full system replacement. Our team will assess your current version and provide a clear, cost-effective upgrade path.
For existing Horizon EBS customers using Taxilla (pre-integrated), go-live can be achieved in 4–8 weeks including UAT. For new implementations or custom ASP integrations, typical timelines are 8–16 weeks. We recommend starting immediately given regulatory timelines.
Horizon EBS includes automated exception handling. Rejected invoices are flagged immediately with the rejection reason, alerts are sent to the responsible user, and the system guides the correction and resubmission workflow. Operations continue uninterrupted.
Absolutely. Horizon EBS’s ASP integration layer is built on open API standards — it can connect to any FTA-listed ASP you choose. Taxilla is our recommended option for the fastest go-live, but we fully support your preferred provider including any future additions to the FTA’s approved ASP list.
Ready to Get E-Invoicing Compliant?
With 35+ years of ERP excellence across the GCC, Horizon is your fastest path to FTA e-invoicing compliance. Join 1,000+ businesses who trust us with every regulatory milestone.