A new round of fuel price adjustments is scheduled for August 28 at midnight, based on a 10-day statistical cycle. With only the first day of this cycle completed, international crude oil prices surged last week, driving the current change rate to 3.42%. This is expected to result in an increase of 190 yuan per ton in fuel prices. For 92, 95, and other grades of gasoline and diesel, the price per liter will rise by 0.14 yuan to 0.17 yuan.

Starting November 1, 2026, all gas stations nationwide must implement "transaction-based invoicing." The State Administration of Taxation has issued a notice to promote this system in the retail fuel sector. Under this policy, fuel stations will be required to issue invoices immediately upon completing a transaction, seamlessly linking the fueling process with billing.

What is "transaction-based invoicing"? According to the notice, this system requires fuel stations to issue fully digital electronic invoices to buyers immediately after a sale, using the tax department's LeQi platform. The policy covers various transaction scenarios, including payments made through third-party payment platforms, internet platforms, fuel cards, or cash.

Scenario 1: A buyer, after refueling at a station, pays via a third-party payment platform. The LeQi platform will automatically generate an invoice once the payment is completed. For example, if an individual refuels at Station F and pays 200 yuan via a payment platform, the platform will compile transaction data (fuel type, volume, price) and payment amount to generate a standard VAT invoice. The buyer can preset their invoice header information; otherwise, it defaults to "Individual."

Scenario 2: A buyer refuels at a station and pays through an internet platform. The platform will immediately issue an invoice with the station as the seller. For instance, if a person finds Station G via Platform X, refuels, and pays 200 yuan, the platform automatically generates an invoice showing Station G as the seller and 200 yuan as the total amount.

Scenario 3: A buyer purchases a fuel card with a prepaid amount and refuels by deducting from the card. The buyer can choose to issue a non-taxable ordinary invoice at the time of recharge or a standard or VAT invoice at the time of refueling, but only one option is allowed. For example, if a person recharges 1,000 yuan at Station H and refuels for 200 yuan, they can choose to invoice for the recharge amount, generating a non-taxable invoice for 1,000 yuan, with no further invoices for subsequent refuels. Alternatively, if they choose to invoice per refuel, the recharge will be marked, and a 200 yuan invoice will be issued for this transaction, with subsequent invoices issued as the balance is reduced to zero.

Scenario 4: A buyer pays via cash, credit, or corporate transfer after refueling. The station must use the LeQi platform to issue an invoice based on actual transaction data. For example, a company refuels at Station J (LeQi self-use) and pays 200 yuan in cash. The system generates a standard or VAT invoice showing Station J as the seller. If the company refuels at Station K (LeQi joint-use), the station must manually input payment information to generate the invoice on the platform.

Historically, consumers have faced difficulties with invoicing, including repeated information requests and challenges with post-purchase billing. A spokesperson from the tax department noted that the "transaction-based invoicing" model will deeply integrate the entire fueling process. After payment, invoices are automatically generated and sent to the consumer, preventing stations from refusing, omitting, or incorrectly issuing invoices. The new system eliminates data barriers between systems, requiring no manual input or verification by staff, reducing workload at stations.

The notice mandates that all fuel stations must achieve "transaction-based invoicing" by November 1, 2026. Stations that fail to comply will face corrections from tax authorities and legal penalties. The notice also emphasizes strict enforcement against stations using non-business payment codes or other methods to evade tax oversight. Violations will result in fines of up to 10,000 yuan, confiscation of illegal gains, and if tax evasion is found, additional recovery of unpaid taxes, surcharges, and penalties.