Basic annual report

An invoice is a primary accounting document.

The document must clearly identify the parties, the date, and the economic substance of the transaction, otherwis,e it is not accepted as a valid source document. E-invoices are fully acceptable as long as integrity and authenticity are guaranteed. Adding extras such as the payment reference or due-date is not compulsory, but it helps cash-flow management. Only a VAT-registered business may add VAT to its invoice.

• Document title (e.g. “Invoice”)

• Unique invoice number and date of issue

• Seller’s and buyer’s name, address, registry code, VAT ID (if any)

• Description of goods/services, quantity, unit price, VAT rate, net and gross amount

• Date of delivery/performance if different from the invoice date

2. Language of source documents

• Invoices may be issued in Estonian or English.

• Documents in any other language must be accompanied by a sworn translation into Estonian or English to be accepted by auditors or the Tax and Customs Board (MTA).

3. Proving the business purpose

Under both the Accounting Act and the Income Tax Act, an expense is deductible only if it is business‑related and substantiated.
If the invoice alone does not make the business purpose evident (e.g. taxi, parking, travel tickets), add explanatory information such as:

• project or client name;

• employee name & business trip dates;

• licence plate number of the company car, etc.

Lacking or incomplete documentation may lead to the expense being treated as a non‑business cost, subject to fringe‑benefit or dividend tax.

This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For complex situations consult a professional accountant or tax adviser.

All Estonian companies must file an annual report, even for inactive years.

Failure to submit the report on time allows the court that maintains the Commercial Register to impose monetary fines on both the company and each person responsible for filing, and it may repeat the fine until the report is lodged.

The amount is set under the Code of Civil Procedure and can escalate with every reminder. Late filing also blocks the distribution of dividends, delays banking and licensing procedures, and damages the company’s public record.

If the report is still outstanding 18 months after the financial year-end, the court may strike the entity from the register or start dissolution or liquidation proceedings, which can freeze assets and terminate contracts.

Reports can be filed entirely online when at least one board member signs with an Estonian ID-card, Mobile-ID, Smart-ID, or e-Residency card.

Submission of the annual report is mandatory in any case.

Every Estonian legal entity – including micro‑sized OÜs owned by e‑residents – must file an annual report (majandusaasta aruanne) with the Business Register within 6 months after the end of its financial year (Commercial Code § 60).

Typical deadline: If your financial year = calendar year, the report is due 30 June of the following year. To change the FY you must submit a shareholders’ resolution and amend the articles in the Business Register before the new FY starts.

1. What must be included?

Estonian GAAP (Estonia’s Good Accounting Practice) recognises four size categories. Reporting requirements scale with size:

The size of the company determines which statements are required: micro-entities file only the balance sheet and income statement, whereas small entities add a cash-flow statement and management report, and larger ones include changes in equity and often an audit.

Most of our clients fall under micro or small category.

2. Penalties for late filing

Late filing also raises red flags with banks and partners; keep your compliance record clean.

3. Best‑practice timeline (calendar‑year FY)

Submitting early avoids last‑minute e‑system congestion.

Need assistance? Contact us for a fixed‑fee quote.

This overview is for general information only and not legal advice. Always check current laws and the Business Register instructions.