Is KSeF Mandatory for Online Creators?

Online creators (e-books, courses, subscriptions, communities) often sell globally, in a B2C model, through Stripe and platforms like Kajabi/ThriveCart. And here the key question arises: do you have to implement KSeF? The answer is: often yes, but not always "right away" and not for every sale — it all depends on whether and when you're obligated to issue invoices and to whom you issue them.

What Is KSeF and What Does It Actually Change?

KSeF (Krajowy System e-Faktur / National e-Invoice System) is a system where an invoice becomes "official" only after being assigned a number in KSeF. In practice, this means transitioning to structured invoices and the necessity for your invoicing tool to be able to send/handle them (a simple PDF "from email" ceases to be the main standard in B2B).

Key Dates: When Does KSeF Become Mandatory?

The timeline is phased:

- from February 1, 2026 – mandatory for the largest companies (sales in 2024 > 200 million PLN with VAT),
- from April 1, 2026 – for all others,
- until December 31, 2026, a simplification applies: you can issue invoices outside KSeF if in a given month the total sales with VAT on such invoices does not exceed 10,000 PLN; for the "smallest," the full obligation is then pushed to January 1, 2027.

An important nuance for practice: the obligation to receive invoices through KSeF is expected to apply broadly from February 1, 2026, even if you start issuing later.

Does an Online Creator "Have To" Use KSeF? It Depends on Who You Sell To

The simplest way to think about it:

1) Sales to Companies (B2B): Usually YES

If you sell courses/e-books/services to companies (e.g., team training, licenses, consulting, sponsorship), you issue B2B invoices — and those fall under the KSeF obligation according to the timeline.

2) Sales to Consumers (B2C): KSeF Is Voluntary

For invoices issued to private individuals, KSeF is expected to be voluntary — you can, but don't have to.

Note: this doesn't mean you "do nothing." You still need to properly document sales (e.g., fiscal cash register/reports, invoicing rules), just KSeF itself isn't required for B2C.

3) There's Also the "Receipt with Tax ID up to 450 PLN" Exception

Until the end of 2026, fiscal receipts with a tax ID up to 450 PLN (simplified invoices) are excluded from mandatory KSeF.

Most Common Problems for Creators: Stripe, Kajabi, ThriveCart, and the "Invoice Gap"

Sales platforms are great at delivering payments, but often don't deliver on Polish invoicing reality:

- buyer data is incomplete or arrives in multiple places,
- different rates/VAT/exemptions, international sales,
- payments, refunds, chargebacks,
- and in the end: accounting wants invoices "done properly" and (increasingly often) KSeF-ready.

And here's the approach that saves nerves: don't try to make Stripe an accounting system. Stripe is for payments. Do invoices in a tool made for that purpose.

How to Handle This Practically (Checklist)

1. Note how much you have B2B vs B2C (and whether you issue B2B invoices at all).
2. Check if you fall under the "10,000 PLN per month threshold" (simplification until end of 2026).
3. Make sure your invoicing program supports KSeF (sending/validation).
4. Prepare a process for corrections (refunds, exchange rates, data errors).
5. Organize permissions (who issues, who sends to KSeF, who has access).
6. Make sure to receive invoices in KSeF from February 1, 2026 (at least organizationally).
7. Automate what you can — because manual "typing" doesn't scale.

Where Striptu Helps Here

Striptu.com does one thing: it takes transactions from your world (Stripe + creator platforms like Kajabi/ThriveCart) and passes them to the Polish invoicing system, where normal invoices compliant with Polish rules are created. This approach is especially sensible with KSeF, because then:

- payments stay payments (Stripe),
- and invoices live where they should live (e.g., in Fakturownia with KSeF features).

If today you're invoicing "late at night" or you're worried that KSeF will disrupt your process as sales grow, automating invoice issuance from transaction data is often the fastest path to peace of mind.

Summary: The Short Answer

- Online creators don't have a single, simple "yes/no."
- If you have B2B → KSeF practically applies to you (per the timeline).
- If you have only B2C → KSeF is voluntary, but you still need to properly document sales.
- The smallest have a simplification until end of 2026 (10,000 PLN monthly limit), and the full obligation may shift to January 1, 2027.

> Note: this is educational material (practice + timelines from Ministry of Finance communications), not legal or tax advice — for atypical cases (e.g., international structures, permanent establishment, specific exemptions), it's worth consulting an accountant/advisor.
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