DRC: FEC Raises Concerns After the End of the Moratorium on Standardized Invoicing

The Federation of Enterprises of Congo (FEC) brought together its members following the publication, on May 11, 2026, of official communiqué No. 009 from the Ministry of Finance announcing the end of the moratorium on sanctions related to standardized invoicing.

Since May 15, 2026, corresponding to the VAT declaration deadline for April, companies subject to Value Added Tax must now comply with the standardized invoicing system or face sanctions imposed by the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI).

The companies concerned risk, in particular, a fine of 10 million Congolese francs for each non-standardized invoice, as well as the rejection of VAT deductions supported by non-compliant documents.

FEC Points to a Gap with Previous Agreements

Meeting under the leadership of Rahim Poundja, head of the FEC delegation to the Finance-DGI-FEC Joint Commission, economic operators denounced a discrepancy between the content of communiqué No. 009 and the resolutions adopted during discussions held on March 31, 2026, between the Ministry of Finance, the DGI, and the FEC.

According to the Federation, the parties had agreed not to sanction companies whose approval files remain pending due to administrative delays. However, the new communiqué requires these companies to use the e-UF platform, electronic tax devices, or an approved system to issue regularization invoices.

Some Sectors Still Awaiting Exemptions

The FEC also noted delays in the publication of promised exemptions for four sectors: domestic air transport, petroleum product distribution, travel agencies, and gambling.

According to the employers’ organization, these activities have specific pricing mechanisms that complicate the immediate implementation of the reform. The lack of clarification further exposes these companies to tax penalties.

Persistent Technical Difficulties

Companies have also reported several operational problems, including difficulties related to VAT deductions on certain invoices, anomalies in tax identification numbers (NIF), and constraints faced by some public services that do not have a NIF to use the e-UF platform.

In response to this situation, the FEC says it has contacted the office of the Minister of Finance to request adjustments to communiqué No. 009 and the continuation of dialogue with the DGI.

Héritier Maila / Sources: DGI and FEC

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