Troubleshooting ZATCA Invoice Format and VAT Rate Issues

• Message

Error: The request you are sending to Zatca is in incorrect format. Status code: 400 {"validationResults":{"infoMessages": [{"type":"INFO" "code":"XSD_ZATCA_VALID","category":"XSD validation","message":"Complied with UBL 2.1 standards in line with ZATCA specifications "status":"PASS"}],"warningMessages": [{"type":"WARNING","code":"BR-CO-17" "category":"EN_16931","message": "VAT category tax amount (BT-117) = VAT category taxable amount (BT-116) x (VAT category rate (BT-119) / 100), rounded to two decimals.","status": "WARNING"}, {"type":"WARNING" "code": "BR-S-09", "category": "EN_16931","message".:"The VAT category tax amount (BT-117) in a VAT breakdown (BG-23) where VAT category code (BT-118) is 'Standard rated' shall equal the VAT category taxable amount (BT-116) multiplied by the VAT category rate (BT- 119) ""status":"WARNING"}, {"type":"WARNING", "code":"BR-KSA-F-06-C19","category":"EN_16931","message":"[BR-KSA-F-06-C19] - Field character limits for Item name field (BT-153) have not been met. The minimum limit is 1 character and the maximum limit is 1000 characters.","status": "WARNING"}, {"type":"WARNING", "code":"BR-25", "category":"EN_16931","message": "Each Invoice line (BG-25) shall contain the Item name (BT-153).","status":"WARNING"}, {"type":"WARNING" "code": "BR-S-05","category": "EN_16931","message": "For invoice items (BG-25) in which the VAT category code of invoiced items (BT-151) is "Standard rated" the VAT rate of the invoiced item (BT-152) must be greater than zero.","status":"WARNING"}],"errorMessages":[{"type":"ERROR","code":"BR- KSA-84","category":"KSA", "message":"The Document level allowance VAT rate (BT-96), Document level Charge VAT rate (BT-103), VAT category rate(BT-119), Invoiced item VAT rate (BT-152), Prepayment VAT rate(KSA-34) must be limited to one of the following values (5 or 15) when the relevant Document level allowance VAT category code (BT-95), Document level Charge VAT category code(BT-102), VAT category code(BT-118), Invoiced item VAT category code(BT-151), Prepayment VAT Category Code (KSA-33) is "S"- "Standard rated". In other words, for Standard Rate VAT Category the rate can either be 15% or 5%.","status":"ERROR"}],"status": "ERROR"},"clearanceStatus":"NOT_CLEARED","cl earedinvoice":null}

Solution:

The warning indicates several compliance issues related to the submitted sales invoice. First, the VAT category tax amount (BT-117) must be calculated by multiplying the taxable amount (BT-116) by the VAT tax rate (BT-119). Additionally, this value must be rounded to two decimal places. For standard tax category codes, this calculation rule must be strictly followed to ensure compliance.

Secondly, every invoice line must have an item name populated, with the character count ranging between 1 and 1000 characters. Leaving this field empty is not permitted and will trigger an error, as it is a mandatory requirement.

Lastly, the VAT rate for the "Standard" tax category must always be greater than zero. Consistency in VAT rates is essential—items, document-level charges, allowances, and prepayments categorized under the "Standard Rate" must all reflect the same 15% VAT rate. Any mismatch between VAT rates at different levels is not allowed and will result in validation errors. Ensuring these elements are correctly handled is vital for smooth invoice processing and compliance with ZATCA regulations.