Process Overview

SIGN PT enables the creation of fiscally compliant invoices and receipts and, depending on the reporting mode chosen by the taxpayer, the preparation or real-time transmission of invoicing data to the Portuguese Tax Authority (AT).

A fiscally relevant document issued via SIGN PT contains:

• Issuer data — identification of the taxpayer issuing the document.
• Operation data — line-item details (quantity, description, unit price, applicable VAT rate).
• Tax totals — the tax amounts and document totals required for ATCUD, QR code, and SAF-T (PT).
• Payment status — whether payment is collected at the time of issuance or not.
• Payment information — payment method and any related document references.

The SIGN PT API allows you to generate transaction documents for B2C and B2B operations, as well as returns and cancellations (e.g. credit notes, corrective documents) for transactions carried out through the API. Each document is digitally signed and chained to the previous one in its series, and SIGN PT produces the associated ATCUD and QR code data so the final document output can be rendered in compliance with AT specifications.

Reporting to the AT is handled through one of two alternative channels: real-time Web Services (WFA, WDT), where each document is submitted individually at the time of issuance, or SAF-T (PT) monthly export, where invoicing data is submitted periodically via the Standard Audit File for Tax XML file. A given document is reported through one mode or the other, according to the taxpayer’s setup — not both.

📘Note

Independently of the reporting mode in use, SIGN PT always supports SAF-T (PT) export for audit and signature validation purposes, as required from certified invoicing software.

💡Tip

SIGN PT requires a stable internet connection for normal operation, since documents must be created, signed and chained online and, where real-time web services are used, document data must be transmitted at the time the invoice or receipt is issued.