Every tax report, every declaration, every payment notification in Latvia passes through one system: VID EDS (Elektroniskās deklarēšanas sistēma). There is no paper alternative for businesses. There is no walk-in option at VID offices for regular filings. If you cannot access EDS, you effectively cannot comply with Latvian tax law. That reality became sharper in 2026, when VID eliminated legacy login methods and narrowed authentication to three options: Smart-ID, eID card, and eParaksts.

This guide walks through the system from login to submission, with particular attention to the authentication changes that caught some taxpayers off guard at the start of this year.

The Three Authentication Methods

Smart-ID is the fastest and most popular option. It works through your smartphone — no additional hardware needed. If you have a Latvian bank account (Swedbank, SEB, Citadele, or Luminor), you can activate Smart-ID through your bank's mobile app in about 10 minutes. The process involves identity verification at your bank branch or through the app's biometric features.

eID card is Latvia's electronic identity card with an embedded chip. You need a USB card reader (EUR 15-30 at electronics stores) and the eID software installed on your computer. This method is reliable but less convenient than Smart-ID — you need the physical card and reader every time you log in.

eParaksts is Latvia's qualified electronic signature. It comes in several forms: a smart card (similar to eID), a mobile version (eParaksts Mobile), and an eParaksts eID integrated into newer Latvian ID cards. Businesses with authorized representatives often use eParaksts because it supports qualified electronic signatures required for certain corporate filings.

A practical recommendation: if you are an individual taxpayer or small business owner, set up Smart-ID first. It takes 10 minutes and covers 95% of what you need. Add eParaksts only if you need to sign documents with a qualified electronic signature.

Navigating the EDS Interface

After logging in at eds.vid.gov.lv, you land on the main dashboard. The interface is available in Latvian only — there is no English or Russian language option, which is a persistent frustration for non-Latvian-speaking taxpayers.

Key sections:

Dokumenti (Documents) — where you create and submit declarations, reports, and applications
Ziņojumi (Messages) — communications from VID, including verification requests and notifications
Maksājumi (Payments) — payment orders and tax account balance
Reģistri (Registers) — your registered data: employees, VAT number, economic activity codes

To file a report, navigate to Dokumenti, select the relevant form type, fill in the required fields, and submit. The system validates data before submission — if something is clearly wrong (negative employee count, for instance), it will flag the error. But EDS does not catch subtle mistakes. Entering the wrong VSAOI rate or misclassifying an employee type will sail through validation and only surface during a VID audit.

Filing Reports: What Goes Where

VSAOI and IIN monthly reports (due by 15th): Under Dokumenti, select "Darba devēja ziņojums" (Employer report). This combined form covers both social insurance contributions and personal income tax withheld from employees.

PVN declaration (due by 20th): Select "PVN deklarācija." If you file monthly (standard for turnover above EUR 50,000), you submit 12 declarations per year. Quarterly filers submit 4.

UIN/CIT declaration (due by 20th, when applicable): Select "UIN deklarācija." This is only required in months when your SIA has distributed profits or made other CIT-triggering payments.

Annual personal income declaration (March 1 – June 1): Select "Gada ienākumu deklarācija." VID pre-fills employer income data. You add deductions, foreign income, and other items manually.

Authorizing Your Accountant

Most SIA owners do not file reports themselves — their accountant or accounting firm does. To grant access, you must add the accountant as an authorized person in EDS:

Go to Profils (Profile) → Pilnvaras (Authorizations)
Add the accountant's personal ID number
Select which forms and functions they may access
Confirm with your authentication method

Be specific with permissions. Granting full access means your accountant can see your personal tax data, not just the company's. In our experience, the right approach is to authorize the accountant for the specific company's filings only, keeping personal declarations under your own control.

When Things Go Wrong

"Session expired" during filing: EDS sessions time out after a period of inactivity. If you are filling in a complex form, save drafts frequently. There is a "Saglabāt melnrakstu" (Save draft) option that preserves your work.

Error after submission: If you submitted a report with incorrect data, you can file a corrective report (labojums). Navigate to the original submission, create a correction, and submit. VID accepts corrections without penalty if you catch the error before they do.

Cannot log in at all: If Smart-ID is not working, check that your phone has internet connectivity and the app is updated. For eID issues, verify that your card reader drivers are current. If all else fails, call VID's support line at 67120000 — but be prepared for wait times of 20-30 minutes during peak filing periods (March and April especially).

Skip the EDS Learning Curve Entirely

The EDS system is powerful but unforgiving -- and the 2026 authentication changes have locked many people out. As your authorized representatives, we handle all EDS interactions directly: filing declarations, responding to VID messages, and downloading tax certificates on your behalf.

Let us handle your EDS filings →

How to Use VID EDS: Login, Filing, and New 2026 Authentication