If you have heard the term "invoicing stamping" and have wondered what it exactly means, you are in the right place. Invoicing stamping of CFDI (Digital Fiscal Receipt over the Internet) is a fundamental part of the electronic invoicing process in Mexico, necessary for invoices to have fiscal validity before the Tax Administration Service (SAT). Below, we will explore what stamping is, how it works, its requirements and benefits, and how to ensure you comply with this process correctly.

Contents:

• What is Invoicing Stamping?

• What is the Purpose of Stamping?

• How Does Invoicing Stamping Work?

• Types of Invoices that Can Be Stamped

• Consequences of Not Stamping an Invoice

• Verification of the Validity of a Stamped Invoice

• The Role of PACs in CFDI Stamping

• Differences Between Stamping and Sealing Invoices

• Benefits of Invoicing Stamping

• Cretia: Your Ally in the Stamping Process

• Conclusion

What is Invoicing Stamping?

Invoicing stamping is the process by which an Authorized Certification Provider (PAC) validates an electronic invoice or CFDI and assigns it a unique reference number (UUID or Fiscal Folio). This process also includes the application of a digital seal and the generation of an original chain that guarantees the authenticity and integrity of the document. Only after being stamped does an invoice have validity before the tax authorities.

What is the Purpose of Stamping?

Stamping serves several essential functions:

1. Tax Validation: Ensures that the invoice meets the tax requirements established by the SAT.

2. Authenticity and Security: Confirms that the CFDI has not been altered and comes from a legitimate source.

3. Registration with the SAT: Allows both the issuer and the recipient to consult the invoice in the SAT systems at any time.

How Does Invoicing Stamping Work?

The invoicing stamping process consists of the following steps:

1. Generation of the CFDI: The taxpayer uses an authorized invoicing system to create the CFDI. This includes:

   • Information of the issuer (RFC, business name, and fiscal address).

   • Details of the recipient (RFC and name or business name).

   • Details of the transaction, such as products or services, descriptions, prices, applicable taxes, and the total amount. Additionally, the system generates an original chain summarizing all the information contained in the receipt.

2. Application of the Digital Seal: Once the CFDI is generated, the system applies a digital seal using the issuer's Digital Seal Certificate (CSD). This seal certifies the identity of the issuer and protects the content of the receipt from alterations.

3. Sending to a PAC: The sealed CFDI is sent to an Authorized Certification Provider (PAC), who verifies that the invoice meets the fiscal requirements established by the SAT. The submission is usually done automatically through the invoicing system.

4. Validation and Assignment of the UUID: The PAC performs a series of checks:

   • Verifies that the data is correct and complete.

   • Validates that the digital seal corresponds to the issuer.

   • Confirms that the CFDI meets the guidelines established by the SAT. If everything is correct, the PAC assigns a unique reference number (UUID) to the receipt and digitally seals it.

5. Sending the Stamped CFDI: Once stamped, the PAC returns the CFDI to the issuer with the UUID, the digital seal, and the updated original chain. This receipt has fiscal validity and can be sent to the recipient.

6. Registration with the SAT: The PAC is responsible for sending a copy of the stamped CFDI to the SAT, ensuring it is registered in their database. This registration allows both the issuer and the recipient to consult and download the receipt at any time.

Types of Invoices that Can Be Stamped

Among the fiscal receipts that require stamping are:

• Income invoices.

• Credit notes.

• Payroll receipts.

• Payment supplements.

Consequences of Not Stamping an Invoice

Not stamping an invoice has serious implications:

• Tax Invalidity: The document is not recognized by the SAT.

• Fines and Penalties: The issuer may face penalties for tax non-compliance.

• Loss of Tax Benefits: The recipient will not be able to deduct taxes.

Verification of the Validity of a Stamped Invoice

Verifying that an invoice is correctly stamped is crucial to ensure its validity and avoid problems with tax authorities. Verification ensures that the invoice:

• Is recognized by the SAT as a valid document.

• Has not been altered after its issuance.

• Meets the necessary tax requirements for deduction or accounting registration.

Visual Elements to Identify a Stamped Invoice

A stamped invoice includes the following elements:

1. Unique Reference Number (UUID): Also known as Fiscal Folio.

2. Digital Seal of the Issuer: Ensures that the document was issued by an authorized taxpayer.

3. Digital Seal of the PAC: Confirms the validation performed by the Authorized Certification Provider.

4. Original Chain: A cryptographic summary of the information contained in the CFDI.

5. QR Code: Allows for quick consultation of the CFDI on the SAT portal.

Verification on the SAT Portal

Follow these steps to verify the validity of an invoice on the SAT portal:

1. Access the Portal: Go to the official SAT site and look for the "CFDI Verification" option in the services section.

2. Enter the Required Data: Provide the following information:

   • UUID (Fiscal Folio) of the invoice.

   • RFC of the issuer and the recipient.

   • Total amount of the invoice.

3. Verify the Status: Click on "Consult." The system will show if the CFDI is registered as valid and if it meets the tax requirements.

4. Save the Result: Download or print the result for your records.

The Role of PACs in CFDI Stamping

A PAC is an entity authorized by the SAT to validate and stamp invoices. Its main function is to ensure that each CFDI meets the tax requirements. Additionally, the PAC ensures the integrity of the information through encryption technology.

Differences Between Stamping and Sealing Invoices

Although stamping and sealing are related processes, they serve distinct functions in the issuance of electronic invoices:

• Sealing: This step is performed by the issuer of the invoice using their Digital Seal Certificate (CSD). The digital seal certifies the identity of the issuer and ensures that the content of the CFDI cannot be modified without invalidating the document. It is a process prior to stamping.

• Stamping: This process is carried out by an Authorized Certification Provider (PAC). During stamping, the PAC validates that the invoice meets all fiscal requirements, and once approved, assigns a unique reference number (UUID) and digitally seals the receipt, granting it fiscal validity.

Relationship Between Both Processes

Sealing and stamping work together to guarantee the authenticity and integrity of electronic invoices:

1. The issuer generates and seals the invoice using their CSD.

2. The sealed invoice is sent to the PAC for validation and stamping.

3. Once stamped, the invoice becomes an official document recognized by the tax authorities.

These processes ensure that invoices are authentic, secure, and comply with SAT regulations.

Benefits of Invoicing Stamping

1. Tax Compliance: Ensures that invoices are recognized by the SAT.

2. Security: Protects against alterations and fraud.

3. Control: Improves organization and record-keeping of transactions.

Cretia: Your Ally in the Stamping Process

Cretia simplifies and optimizes the CFDI stamping process with a platform designed for entrepreneurs and SMEs that need an efficient and reliable solution. Our invoicing system not only automates the issuance of invoices and the stamping of CFDI but also ensures compliance with all tax regulations.

Why Choose Cretia?

• Complete Integration: From the generation of the CFDI to its stamping, the entire process is integrated so you won’t have to worry about additional steps.

• Ease of Use: With an intuitive interface, you can issue invoices within minutes, saving time and effort.

• Guaranteed Compliance: We ensure that every CFDI complies with SAT guidelines, preventing rejections or errors.

• Specialized Support: We have a customer service team ready to address your questions and guide you in using the platform.

Cretia allows you to focus on what really matters: growing your business, while we take care of the stamping service and tax administration.

Conclusion

CFDI stamping is an essential element for tax compliance in Mexico. Understanding how it works and ensuring that you correctly stamp your invoices allows you to avoid legal problems and enjoy benefits such as security and transparency. With Cretia, the process is easier and more reliable.