Key compliance facts
Standard
XML (SFEP schema) with qualified electronic signature
Authority
DGI — Dirección General de Ingresos (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas)
Mandatory For
Wide scope — new RUC, government suppliers, professionals, large taxpayers, financial institutions, SEZ operators
Effective Date
Jan 1, 2022 (new RUCs) · Oct 2023 (government suppliers) · 2024 (professionals) · Jan 1, 2026 (PAC thresholds)
About Panama E-Invoicing
Panama's Sistema de Facturación Electrónica de Panamá (SFEP) is built on Law 256 of 2021 and Executive Decree 766 of 2020. Mandatory for new RUCs since 1 January 2022 and government suppliers from October 2023, the mandate progressively extended to independent professionals (lawyers, accountants, architects) in 2024 and to large taxpayers, financial institutions and special economic zone operators. Resolution 201-6299 of 2025 introduces a key threshold change effective 1 January 2026: the DGI free invoicer is now restricted to taxpayers with annual gross income up to B/. 36,000 AND issuing no more than 100 documents per month — those exceeding either threshold must contract a Proveedor Autorizado Calificado (PAC). Government entities are exempt from the volume limit. Each document receives a unique CUFE (Código Único de Factura Electrónica) before legal validity. Penalties range from B/. 500 to B/. 10,000.
Implementation Phases
- ✓
Law 256 framework
Nov 26, 2021Law establishing mandatory e-invoicing framework.
- ✓
New RUC mandate
Jan 1, 2022All new tax IDs must use SFEP.
- ✓
Government suppliers
Oct 2023Extended to suppliers of the State and Panama Canal Authority.
- ✓
Independent professionals
2024Lawyers, accountants, architects and service providers added.
- ◉
PAC threshold rule
Jan 1, 2026Resolution 201-6299 restricts free invoicer to <B/. 36k income and ≤100 docs/month.
Key Compliance Facts
- Free DGI invoicer or PAC providers (private)
- Format: XML per SFEP specifications
- Each document gets a unique CUFE (Código Único de Factura Electrónica)
- Qualified electronic signature from the Public Registry's Electronic Signature Directorate
- Penalties: B/. 500 to B/. 10,000
- Document types: internal operation, credit/debit notes, export, special zones
- Government entities exempt from volume limits
Frequently Asked Questions
Is e-invoicing mandatory in Panama?
Wide scope — new RUC, government suppliers, professionals, large taxpayers, financial institutions, SEZ operators. Status: Live & Mandatory.
Which authority regulates e-invoicing in Panama?
DGI — Dirección General de Ingresos (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas)
What e-invoicing standard does Panama use?
XML (SFEP schema) with qualified electronic signature
What is the e-invoicing model in Panama?
Clearance via SFEP (Sistema de Facturación Electrónica de Panamá) — DGI free invoicer or PAC providers
When did Panama e-invoicing take effect?
Jan 1, 2022 (new RUCs) · Oct 2023 (government suppliers) · 2024 (professionals) · Jan 1, 2026 (PAC thresholds)