Stückmann Podcast Episode 31: Tax Meets SAP: Digitalising the Tax Function in SMEs

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How can tax law, IT and process understanding be successfully combined? In this episode of the tax podcast, Karin Korte and Dietmar Engel speak with Alexander Zanft and Timo Beddig from Greenfield about the challenges and opportunities of modern SAP transformations – particularly for medium-sized businesses. The focus is on SAP S/4HANA projects, e-invoicing, VAT processes, AI applications and the question of why the tax function should be involved in digitalisation projects from an early stage.

Tax meets SAP: Digitalising the tax function in small and medium-sized enterprises

Karin Korte and Dietmar Engel in conversation with Alexander Zanft and Timo Beddig on digitalisation from a tax consultancy perspective, covering topics such as SAP S/4HANA, e-invoicing and digital tax processes in small and medium-sized enterprises.

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Why tax departments play a key role in SAP projects

Many companies are currently preparing to migrate to SAP S/4HANA. Time and again, it becomes apparent that tax requirements are often taken into account too late in transformation projects. This results in manual processes, incorrect tax calculations or time-consuming rework after go-live.

Together with Greenfield, we discuss why tax and IT departments need to work more closely together, the role that VAT and e-invoicing play in ERP projects, how AI and automation are transforming the tax function, and why medium-sized companies in particular should act now.

SAP S/4HANA: Why there is an urgent need to act now

Support for legacy SAP systems is coming to an end – as a result, many companies are facing fundamental decisions about their digital transformation. At the same time, regulatory requirements relating to e-invoicing, reporting and digital tax audits are increasing.

In the podcast, our guests explain why tax issues are often underestimated, what risks arise in SAP projects, and how companies can ensure that tax processes are properly integrated into their systems at an early stage.

Collaboration between HLB Stückmann and Greenfield

The partnership between HLB Stückmann and Greenfield combines tax advisory expertise with in-depth knowledge of SAP and business processes.

Whilst HLB Stückmann provides tax advisory and audit services to businesses, Greenfield assists with the technical and procedural implementation of tax requirements within ERP systems.

Together, we develop a practical approach for small and medium-sized enterprises – from analysing existing processes to implementing modern reporting and e-invoicing solutions.

E-invoicing and digital tax processes

“Taxation must not be left on the sidelines during SAP transformations; it must be right there on the pitch.”

This episode places particular emphasis on the topic of e-invoicing. Businesses need to start preparing now for the upcoming legal requirements.

The podcast covers topics such as:

Validation of incoming and outgoing e-invoices
Automated VAT processes
Sources of error in master data and tax codes
Reporting and compliance requirements
SAP standards vs. bespoke solutions

The guests will also be discussing the joint solution HLB E-Rechnungs-fit and the greenfield development ‘Greenvoice’.

AI in the tax function: hype or real added value?

Artificial intelligence is also transforming the fields of tax consulting and ERP. However, not every process actually requires AI.

This podcast episode provides practical insights into where AI can be usefully applied in SAP and tax processes, how data-driven tax audits work, and why data quality and master data remain the crucial foundation.