Reviewed on 5 November 2026
A customer will not pay until an invoice is corrected, platform payouts differ from recorded sales, or a tax authority requests an explanation. For household businesses and SMEs in Vietnam, the starting point is a transaction-level reconciliation, rather than changing figures simply to make totals agree.
Recognise situations that need review
Common triggers include invoices that differ from contracts or payments, mixed personal and business bank accounts, unrecorded returns, missing purchase evidence and incomplete handovers between accountants. If an authority has written to you, identify the document type, period and response deadline. A request for information and an assessment or penalty decision are different documents and require different responses.
Preserve records before changing them
Retain original e-invoice data, submitted returns, statements, platform or point-of-sale reports, contracts and delivery records. Reconcile each transaction, separating customer payments, collections for others, refunds, platform charges and timing differences. A bank credit is not automatically sales revenue; equally, an unsupported description does not justify excluding it. Establish the substance through evidence.
Separate invoice correction, tax filing and explanations
These are connected tasks, but completing one does not necessarily complete the others. Tax Administration Law 108/2025/QH15 and transitional rules must be checked against the period and procedural status. E-invoice handling requires review of Decree 254/2026/ND-CP and Circular 91/2026/TT-BTC. Do not apply a universal “cancel and reissue” instruction to every error.
Distinguish household businesses from companies
The Vietnamese household-business form, individual business operators and companies may have different tax methods and recordkeeping requirements. Review the entity, activities, turnover and relevant period. For example, a platform payout after fees and refunds does not necessarily equal reportable revenue. Transaction reports and any tax withheld or paid on behalf of the operator should be reconciled to avoid omissions or duplication.
Start with a manageable scope
The engagement can focus on one notice, filing period or transaction group. KM UNION reviews the legal aspects of transactions and correspondence, while an appropriately qualified accounting partner reconciles figures and records within its remit. Agree who prepares, reviews, signs and submits documents. The business remains responsible for supplying accurate information; appointing advisers does not remove that responsibility.
Seek advice before repeated corrections
A supported reconciliation helps identify the cause and prevents invoices, books and returns being changed on inconsistent assumptions. Describe your business form, the period, discrepancy, correspondence received and response date. KM UNION can assess acceptance and define a written scope. You can begin the discussion while identifying missing records. No promise is made to eliminate additional tax or penalties or to secure acceptance of an explanation.
Related reading
Buying a Business in Vietnam: Checks Before Paying a Deposit
