How do I get a fiscal invoice?

If you buy supplies or equipment that you need for your company’s operation in Hungary, you can write these off as company-related expenses, which decreas the company tax you have to pay at the end of the fiscal year. But be careful: to be able to do this, you need to get a fiscal invoice (áfás számla in Hungarian) for all company-related purchases, no matter where in Hungary you buy them or how much they cost. If you do not provide a fiscal invoice, only a bill or receipt, you will not be able to deduct the expense from your profit.

Simple receipt vs. fiscal invoice

What is the difference between a simple bill or receipt and a fiscal invoice? Every seller or service provider in Hungary is obligated to give a receipt to the buyer. The receipt contains the basic data (official name, registered company address, tax number) of the seller, but not the buyer, and it cannot be used to claim expenses for what you purchased.

Ask before you buy

To get a fiscal invoice, it’s best to ask before completing your purchase, either at the cash register in a store or during the checkout process when buying online. You will have to provide the basic data of your company, that is, the official name, registered seat address and tax number.

Personal vs. company data

Keep in mind that you have to provide the company data, not your private address or personal tax number. If the fiscal invoice has your personal address on it, or if the company tax number is not indicated on it, you have to ask the seller to correct it, otherwise, you will not be able to deduct the purchase as a company expense.

After completing the purchase

If you notice a mistake on the fiscal invoice after you completed the purchase, or if you forgot to ask for a fiscal invoice, contact the customer service or the store and ask for a correctly issued fiscal invoice.