Last updated at
July 20, 2026
Learn more about this by booking a demo call with us. Our team will guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Book NowOman's Fawtara e-invoicing mandate requires all VAT-registered businesses to issue and exchange structured digital invoices starting August 2026. Built on the Peppol five-corner model, the system follows the OTA's formal recognition as a Peppol Authority in January 2026 and the publication of the PINT OM specification in April 2026. This guide covers compliance scope, implementation timeline, technical requirements, archiving rules, exemptions, and preparation steps.
Exempt supplies currently fall outside the Fawtara mandate under OTA guidance, while zero-rated taxable supplies remain in scope and must be issued electronically.
E-invoicing in Oman, referred to as the Fawtara Programme, is a mandatory digital invoicing initiative introduced by the Oman Tax Authority (OTA) to modernise how businesses issue and record taxable transactions. Under Fawtara, all VAT-registered businesses must generate invoices through approved software and transmit them in a structured electronic format, replacing paper and PDF invoices entirely.
On 7 January 2026, the OTA received formal recognition as a Peppol Authority, establishing the Peppol network as the technical foundation of Fawtara and making Oman the third GCC country to adopt this framework for mandatory e-invoicing, following Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Building on this framework, all e-invoices must be generated through accounting or ERP software and transmitted in XML (UBL 2.1) or PDF/A-3 format, aligned with the PINT OM specification published by the OTA in April 2026. The overall objective of the Fawtara system is to strengthen VAT compliance, reduce invoice fraud, and give the OTA accurate, real-time visibility into business transactions across the country.
Formal e-invoicing regulation is expected to be released before the rollout begins, giving the regime more certainty than earlier planning stages, though not every legal detail has been codified in publicly available legislation yet.
Yes, e-invoicing is mandatory in Oman, implemented through a phased rollout rather than a single go-live date. Large VAT-registered companies move first, followed by all remaining VAT-registered taxpayers, and government institutions and entities are scheduled for a later phase. Businesses outside the current phase may continue voluntary early adoption if the required technical support is in place.
Oman E-Invoicing Implementation Timeline
Oman's phased e-invoicing rollout begins in August 2026 with the largest taxpayers and extends to all VAT-registered businesses by August 2027:
| Phase | Timeline | Applicability |
| Phase 1 | August 2026 | Top 100 large taxpayers (Pilot phase) |
| Phase 2 | February 2027 | All large VAT-registered taxpayers |
| Phase 3 | August 2027 | All remaining VAT-registered taxpayers, including SMEs |
| Phase 4 | To be announced by OTA | Government institutions and public sector entities (B2G) |
Scope of E-Invoicing in Oman
The Fawtara e-invoicing mandate applies to all VAT-registered businesses in Oman that issue taxable invoices for the supply of goods or services.
Businesses that fall below the VAT registration threshold and are not required to issue VAT invoices remain the only group the OTA currently places outside the active mandate scope.
OTA guidance indicates that B2C invoices must be submitted to the tax authority within 24 hours of issuance, following the same rollout timing as B2B and B2G transactions rather than a separate, undefined stage. Where the buyer is not VAT-registered and has no accredited service provider, the seller still submits the invoice through its own provider, while the buyer receives a separate human-readable output such as a receipt or PDF.
The OTA has also clarified how QR-code treatment applies specifically to B2C invoices. The taxpayer generates the QR code, and it appears on the human-readable invoice rather than inside the structured XML file. This code is mandatory for every B2C transaction, full or simplified, and is designed to support future authenticity checks through an OTA mobile application.
The OTA's published materials point toward a combined legal, operational and technical compliance model. Invoices must be generated electronically through an approved solution, exchanged through the Fawtara operating model, and reported to the OTA according to the applicable workflow.
The confirmed technical direction is Peppol-aligned UBL/XML, paired with a separate Oman Tax Data Document used for tax reporting. Businesses should generate invoices directly from a compliant solution rather than creating manual invoices and uploading them afterward, and systems should support Arabic and English, structured XML generation, API-based exchange, validation controls and compliant archiving.
Archiving responsibility sits with the taxpayer, in line with existing VAT legislation. Oman VAT Law generally requires tax invoices and related records to be retained for 10 years, with a longer 15-year period applying to real-estate-related records.
Service-provider accreditation criteria include mainland Oman commercial registration, minimum paid-up capital of OMR 6,000, operational experience, tax-debt review, and technical controls such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, monitoring and ISO/IEC 27001 certification. Foreign or GCC-based providers may participate, though local presence in Oman remains required.
Businesses in Oman must meet the following e-invoicing requirements set by the Oman Tax Authority:
Credit notes and debit notes must also be issued electronically through an OTA-accredited provider.
Oman's e-invoicing process is structured around the five-corner Peppol model, where invoices are exchanged in real time between the supplier, the buyer, and the Oman Tax Authority through a network of accredited service providers. The model is decentralised, meaning no single government portal processes all transactions. For B2C transactions where the buyer is not connected to Fawtara, the seller's ASP handles Corner 5 reporting only and may provide a human-readable invoice copy to the buyer outside the network.
The table below outlines the role of each corner in the Fawtara e-invoicing exchange:
| Corner | Party | Role |
| Corner 1 | Supplier (Seller) | Generates the e-invoice in structured XML/UBL format per the PINT OM specification from the ERP or billing system |
| Corner 2 | Supplier's Accredited Service Provider (ASP) | Receives the invoice, validates it against OTA technical and tax rules, and transmits it through the Peppol network |
| Corner 3 | Buyer's ASP | Receives the validated invoice from Corner 2 and delivers it to the buyer |
| Corner 4 | Buyer | Receives the structured e-invoice from the ASP for automated processing |
| Corner 5 | Oman Tax Authority (OTA) | Simultaneously receives the Tax Data Document (TDD) for real-time compliance and audit reporting |
E-Invoice Archiving in Oman
Invoice archiving is a mandatory requirement under Oman's Fawtara e-invoicing system for all taxable businesses. Under Royal Decree No. 121/2020 (Article 70), taxable persons must retain tax invoices, accounting records, and customs documents for 10 years from the end of the tax year in which the relevant VAT return was filed. Invoices related to real estate transactions must be retained for an extended period of 15 years. To support these legal requirements, the Oman Tax Authority (OTA) has introduced a structured two-phase archiving model under Fawtara.
The OTA has structured the mandatory 10-year invoice retention period into two archiving phases:
| Phase | Storage Location | Duration |
| Phase 1 | In-system storage within the Fawtara platform or the ASP's OTA-certified environment | 5 years |
| Phase 2 | Electronic archive maintained by the business or an accredited storage provider | 5 years |
| Total | 10 years |
Archived invoices must be held in structured, machine-readable formats that maintain the integrity and authenticity of the original data across the full retention period. XML and PDF/A-3 are the formats the OTA recognises as valid for long-term archiving under the Fawtara framework. PDF/A-3 is an ISO-standardised format that holds structured XML data inside the PDF, so the document remains both human-readable and machine-processable throughout the retention period.
Archived invoices must satisfy the following three conditions throughout the entire retention period:
For businesses preparing for Phase 1 or Phase 2 compliance, archiving decisions touch system design, data ownership, and long-term record integrity, not simply where files are stored after go-live. The following are the key considerations for any business building its archiving approach:
Oman's e-invoicing mandate carries no permanent exemptions based on industry sector or business size. All VAT-registered businesses are expected to comply with Fawtara requirements once their designated phase begins. Current OTA guidance addresses the following specific situations and transaction types under the Fawtara mandate:
OTA guidance indicates that B2C invoices must be submitted to the tax authority within 24 hours of issuance, following the same rollout timing as B2B and B2G transactions rather than a separate, undefined stage. Where the buyer is not VAT-registered and has no accredited service provider, the seller still submits the invoice through its own provider, while the buyer receives a separate human-readable output such as a receipt or PDF.
The OTA has also clarified how QR-code treatment applies specifically to B2C invoices. The taxpayer generates the QR code, and it appears on the human-readable invoice rather than inside the structured XML file. This code is mandatory for every B2C transaction, full or simplified, and is designed to support future authenticity checks through an OTA mobile application.
The OTA's published materials point toward a combined legal, operational and technical compliance model. Invoices must be generated electronically through an approved solution, exchanged through the Fawtara operating model, and reported to the OTA according to the applicable workflow.
The confirmed technical direction is Peppol-aligned UBL/XML, paired with a separate Oman Tax Data Document used for tax reporting. Businesses should generate invoices directly from a compliant solution rather than creating manual invoices and uploading them afterward, and systems should support Arabic and English, structured XML generation, API-based exchange, validation controls and compliant archiving.
Archiving responsibility sits with the taxpayer, in line with existing VAT legislation. Oman VAT Law generally requires tax invoices and related records to be retained for 10 years, with a longer 15-year period applying to real-estate-related records.
Service-provider accreditation criteria include mainland Oman commercial registration, minimum paid-up capital of OMR 6,000, operational experience, tax-debt review, and technical controls such as multi-factor authentication, encryption, monitoring and ISO/IEC 27001 certification. Foreign or GCC-based providers may participate, though local presence in Oman remains required.
The table below outlines the key technical planning signals for solution design:
| Technical Area | Planning Signal |
| Core artefacts | PINT OM Billing, PINT OM Self-Billing and a separate Oman Tax Data Document |
| Exchange syntax | UBL-based XML with Peppol-style identifiers and endpoint addressing |
| Validation | Schematron and business-rule validation, including reconciliation of monetary totals |
| Centralised SMP | Accredited providers are expected to use the OTA SMP rather than an independent SMP |
| Special scenarios | Transaction classification, special zones, reverse-charge and import logic, export flows, profit-margin treatment and credit-note flows need mapping against Oman-specific code lists |
Generating compliant e-invoices in Oman involves considerably more than redesigning an invoice PDF template. The expected workflow follows the five-corner model: the seller creates the invoice within an ERP or billing system capable of producing structured data, the invoice passes to an accredited service provider for validation and exchange, and the relevant tax data transmits to the OTA.
For export flows where the foreign buyer sits outside the network, the process is expected to operate through a reduced C1-C2-C5 reporting path. Businesses should also prepare document identifiers, transaction classification codes, buyer and supplier details, VAT registration data, line-level pricing and quantities, and reference data covering credit notes, self-billing, imports, exports, special zones and profit-margin transactions.
Businesses should treat Oman e-invoicing as a cross-functional transformation rather than a single IT initiative. The first step involves mapping every relevant transaction scenario, including B2B, B2C, exports, imports, reverse charge, credit notes and self-billing, so each links to the correct future invoice process.
Master data also needs early review across the organisation, including VAT identification numbers, addresses and contact information, alongside an assessment of whether existing ERP, billing and point-of-sale systems can generate structured XML invoices and support API-based exchange. Clear controls for validation failures and rejected invoices, plus internal training across finance, tax, IT and sales teams, should be in place before go-live.
Businesses that wait until their rollout phase is announced will not have sufficient time to complete a clean implementation. The steps below reflect OTA guidance and the preparation work that Phase 1 businesses have already had to complete:
OTA guidance confirms that penalties will apply under the applicable regulations for non-compliance, though currently published materials do not provide a detailed penalty matrix or a confirmed grace-period rule for every scenario. Businesses should not wait for a finalised fine schedule before starting readiness work, since non-compliance can create validation failures, counterparty disputes and delayed payment acceptance even before a formal penalty applies.
Flick Network is an OTA Pre-Approved ASP in Oman, with an e-invoicing solution built to meet the data, format, and transmission requirements of Oman's Fawtara e-invoicing framework. The following capabilities show how Flick Network's e-Invoicing Solution supports Fawtara compliance for businesses of all sizes:
| Resource | Description |
| Fawtara E-Invoicing Program - Official OTA Page | Primary OTA page covering the Fawtara program: objectives, five-corner model, targeted groups, implementation phases, and system benefits |
| E-Invoicing FAQs - Official OTA | Official Q&As covering scope, phases, invoice formats, archiving, VAT groups, B2C handling, and service provider roles |
| Service Provider Criteria - Official OTA | Accreditation requirements and criteria for companies seeking to become OTA-approved Accredited Service Providers (ASPs) under Fawtara |
| Service Provider FAQ - Official OTA | Technical and operational FAQs specifically for ASPs and businesses evaluating service provider options |
| OTA Rollout Phase Checker | Enter the VATIN (OM prefix) to confirm which rollout phase the business falls under, launched by OTA in May 2026 |
| Royal Decree No. 121/2020 - VAT Law | Official VAT Law establishing the legal framework for VAT and invoicing requirements in Oman |
| Ministerial Decision 456/2022 - VAT Executive Regulations | Amended VAT Executive Regulations containing the first official definition of electronic tax invoices and mandatory e-invoicing provisions, effective October 17, 2022 |
| PINT OM Specification - OpenPeppol (Draft) | Draft PINT Oman specifications covering PINT OM Billing, PINT OM Self-Billing, and the Oman Tax Data Document (TDD): the definitive technical reference for ERP teams, ASPs, and system integrators |
| Oman Government - Tax Authority Page | Official government portal with all Tax Authority guidelines, brochures, laws, regulations, decisions, and official news about the Fawtara e-invoicing program |
| Tax Authority Portal - English | Taxpayer portal to access services, submit returns, access manual guides, and download resources related to tax compliance and e-invoicing |
| Fawtara E-Invoicing Program Official Announcements | Central announcements page for all Fawtara e-invoicing program updates, timelines, milestones, and official communications from OTA |
| Tax Authority Contact - E-Invoicing Inquiries | Official email (fawtara@taxoman.gov.om) and helpline (1020) for e-invoicing registration, queries, and support from the Tax Authority |
Conclusion
Fawtara goes live from August 2026, giving every VAT-registered business in Oman a confirmed compliance deadline based on taxpayer category. Businesses that begin preparation early will have sufficient time to assess current systems, select an OTA-accredited service provider, and complete PINT OM technical alignment without disruption. For implementation support and compliance guidance, contact the Flick Network team at sales@flick.network.
1. What is an e-invoice used for in Oman?
An e-invoice in Oman is a structured digital document used by VAT-registered businesses to issue and exchange tax invoices electronically under the Fawtara programme, replacing paper and PDF invoices entirely.
2. What is the e-invoicing process in Oman?
The supplier generates a structured XML invoice in PINT OM format, submits it to the OTA-accredited service provider for validation, and the provider delivers it to the buyer through the Peppol network while simultaneously reporting to the OTA.
3. How do businesses make an e-invoice in Oman?
The ERP or billing system must generate XML (UBL 2.1) output conforming to the PINT OM specification, and the business must connect to an OTA-accredited service provider that handles validation and network transmission.
4. Who is required to comply with e-invoicing in Oman?
All VAT-registered businesses in Oman are required to comply with the Fawtara e-invoicing mandate based on their designated rollout phase. Phase 1 covers 100 large taxpayers from August 2026, Phase 2 covers all remaining large taxpayers from February 2027, and Phase 3 covers all remaining VAT-registered businesses including SMEs from August 2027.
Quick Navigation
Learn more by booking a demo with our team. We'll guide you step by step.