Everything that matters about invoice scanning alternatives in Solothurn
Whether you run a Sàrl, an SA or a sole proprietorship in Solothurn, invoice scanning eventually lands on your desk. Here are the practical reference points — legal basis, deadlines and common pitfalls — to decide with a clear head.
Digitalising invoice scanning: what actually works
Accounting digitalisation always follows the same path: capture documents at the source (photo or PDF upload), let automatic recognition extract supplier, amount, date and VAT, approve the proposed entries, then archive each document linked to its entry. Every step removes a re-keying — and therefore an error source.
An SME in Solothurn that digitalises gains owner time first: less filing, fewer “where is that receipt?” questions, more attention to the trade — that is the real return of invoice scanning.
A well-structured SME chart of accounts
Shareholder current accounts demand strict hygiene: every private withdrawal documented, interest at the rates accepted by the tax administration, and a clean-up at closing.
For invoice scanning, the right granularity is decisive: enough accounts to steer the business (margins by activity, expenses by nature), few enough that every entry finds its place without hesitation. The VAT accounts (input VAT, VAT due) deserve special care — they are the basis of the annual reconciliation.
QR-bills and friction-free collections
Instalments and partial payments are handled cleanly with distinct references per tranche: each collection finds its share, and the remaining balance stays correct at all times.
For an SME in Solothurn, receivables are an asset to manage: a weekly ageing balance, graduated reminders and a provision for doubtful cases — invoice scanning provides the numbers, discipline does the rest.
The Swiss legal frame for invoice scanning
Swiss accounting law has been unified in the Code of Obligations since 2013: the same bookkeeping rules (art. 957a CO) and retention rules (art. 958f CO — 10 years for books, vouchers and reports) apply regardless of legal form. Invoice scanning sits squarely within this frame, including for companies based in Solothurn.
The good news: the Swiss frame is stable and predictable. Structure invoice scanning once — chart of accounts, document flow, calendar — and the same organisation pays off for years.
Solothurn: what changes, what does not
Solothurn (postal code 4500, canton Solothurn) applies the same federal rules as the rest of the country: what changes in Solothurn are the cantonal counterparts — tax administration, compensation office, commercial register.
Federal deadlines do not move in Solothurn: VAT within 60 days, salary declaration in January, 10-year record retention — postal code 4500 changes nothing about those rules, only the sender's address.
Frequently asked questions
What are the current Swiss VAT rates?
Since 1 January 2024: 8.1% (standard), 2.6% (reduced — for example food and medicines) and 3.8% (accommodation). Returns must be filed and paid within 60 days after the period ends (quarterly under the effective method, semi-annually under the net tax rate method). These federal rates apply unchanged in Solothurn.
Do you need a fiduciary for invoice scanning, or can you do it yourself?
Both are defensible. Below CHF 500,000 of revenue, a sole proprietorship may keep simplified accounts itself. As soon as payroll, VAT and a closing with tax stakes are involved, professional support prevents mistakes that cost more than the fees. With a shared platform, the fiduciary does not even need to be in Solothurn.
When must a business register for VAT?
As soon as its worldwide annual turnover reaches CHF 100,000 (CHF 250,000 for non-profit sports or cultural associations). Below that, voluntary registration remains possible and often makes sense to reclaim input VAT on investments. The threshold is federal: it applies in Solothurn as everywhere in Switzerland.
What is simplified bookkeeping and who can use it?
Sole proprietorships and partnerships under CHF 500,000 of revenue may limit themselves to recording income, expenses and assets (art. 957 para. 2 CO). Once over the threshold — or upon founding a Sàrl or an SA — full accounts with balance sheet, income statement and notes become mandatory. The CHF 500,000 threshold is assessed the same way in Solothurn.
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MyFiducia.ai automates invoice scanning for businesses in Solothurn: AI-read documents, posting suggestions, VAT and exports ready for your fiduciary. Try the platform or browse our other guides.
The application is operated in French.