Understanding tax violations has become essential for every business in Saudi Arabia, especially as the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority (ZATCA) intensifies its inspection campaigns. In September 2025 alone, ZATCA carried out more than 20,000 field inspections across various sectors such as retail, restaurants, tobacco, and car workshops.
In this article, we explain the most common tax violations detected by ZATCA, practical steps to avoid them before any inspection, and how EZ Integrated can help your business achieve full compliance with e-invoicing requirements in Saudi Arabia.
What Are Tax Violations and Why Do They Matter?
Tax violations refer to any act or omission by a business that results in non-compliance with tax regulations. Some may be intentional attempts to evade payment, while others occur due to a lack of awareness or weak internal controls.
ZATCA plays a crucial role in ensuring fairness and transparency in the tax system by holding businesses accountable and promoting responsible tax practices that protect the national economy.
Key Findings from ZATCA’s September 2025 Inspections
According to ZATCA’s spokesperson, Hammoud Al-Harbi, the authority’s inspection teams targeted several key commercial sectors, including retail, restaurants, tobacco, and auto workshops.
These inspections are part of ZATCA’s ongoing efforts to monitor business activities, verify compliance with e-invoicing and stamping rules, and ensure a consistent level of accountability across the Kingdom’s markets.
Most Common Tax Violations Detected by ZATCA
ZATCA’s inspectors uncovered several tax violations ranging from administrative errors to serious compliance breaches. The most common include:
1. Absence of Tax Stamps
A frequent issue in the tobacco sector, where tax stamps are required to verify product origin and confirm that due taxes have been paid.
2. Failure to Issue Electronic Credit or Debit Notes
This violation affects the accuracy of financial records and often reflects weak accounting oversight within businesses that rely on manual adjustments.
3. Failure to Issue an Electronic Tax Invoice
This is the most serious and widespread of all tax violations, as it directly breaches Saudi Arabia’s e-invoicing requirements. Businesses must issue, store, and transmit electronic invoices in line with ZATCA’s technical and regulatory standards.
Also read: How to Issue a Credit Note in E Invoice: A Step-by-Step Guide
How to Avoid Tax Violations Before an Inspection
Preventing tax violations begins with strong internal systems and a culture of compliance. Here are practical steps businesses can take:
- Regularly review all invoices and electronic notes for accuracy and completeness.
- Implement an integrated e-invoicing solution that automatically generates and stores tax-compliant invoices.
- Train employees on the latest ZATCA regulations and reporting requirements.
- Keep detailed documentation of every financial transaction to simplify audit processes.
- Stay informed by following ZATCA’s updates and official communications.
Following these steps helps protect your business from fines and reputational damage while maintaining smooth financial operations.
Reporting Violations and the Role of Consumers
Fighting tax violations is a shared responsibility between regulators and consumers. ZATCA allows anyone to report non-compliant businesses through its official website zatca.gov.sa
or the “ZATCA” mobile application.
To encourage public participation, ZATCA offers a cash reward of 2.5% of the violation’s total value, up to SAR 1,000,000, for verified reports. This initiative promotes transparency and supports a healthier business environment across the Kingdom.
How EZ Integrated Helps Businesses Prevent Tax Violations
Compliance today depends on smart technology. EZ Integrated, an official ZATCA-approved provider, offers complete digital solutions that connect your accounting system directly with the FATOORA portal, ensuring your business meets all the requirements of the Integration Phase of e-invoicing.
Key Benefits of EZ Integrated Solutions:
- Automatically issue tax-compliant e-invoices that meet ZATCA standards.
- Securely store and archive all invoices and electronic notes.
- Minimize human errors and accelerate tax reporting.
- Integrate seamlessly with your existing accounting systems.
Start your journey toward full compliance with EZ Integrated today and keep your business protected from potential tax violations before the next inspection.