Electronic invoices to authorities

More and more electronic invoices are being sent around the world. Numerous different formats have emerged as a result. This is also where the problem lies. For a long time there were no standards, or at least only a few. Binding standards for electronic invoices have been introduced within the EU. The permissible formats need to be clarified.

The XInvoice format

XRechnung is a data format designed to optimise processes such as the transmission, checking, approval and payment of invoices in German authorities. The contents of an invoice, which are transported via this format, can thus be automatically electronic can be processed. This is in line with EU Directive 2014/55/EU, which requires member states to make it possible for their authorities to receive electronic invoices in future.

Versino Financial Suite for SAP Business One Finance

The ZUGFeRD format for electronic invoices

That ZUGFeRD - format was developed by FERD (Forum elektronische Rechnung Deutschland) in collaboration with authorities, associations and companies. The invoice data format for electronic invoice exchange is based on the "Cross Industry Invoice" (CII) and the "Message User Guides" (MUG) of the CEN (European Committee for Standardisation). ZUGFeRD therefore fulfilled the requirements as a standardised European format right from the start. The latest version ZUGFeRD 2.1 also fulfils the European standard EN16931 for electronic invoices. This means that the format can be used for invoices to authorities in Germany and internationally.

The difference between XInvoice and ZUGFeRD

The XRechnung uses a format of structured data that is intended for machine processing. Humans can therefore create a Invoice cannot be easily read in this format. ZUGFeRD 2.1, on the other hand, provides both: a readable and printable invoice in PDF format with structured data "built in".
However, both formats correspond to the same data structure and the EN 16931 standard.

Transmit e-invoices

E-invoices can be transmitted to authorities using various methods. For this purpose, the federal government has developed the Zentral Invoice Receipt of the Confederation (ZRE) set up. However, registration is required before the first transmission. You also need a Route ID the authority to which the invoice is issued. The latter is either received when the order is placed or can be requested separately. Such an invoice can then be sent by e-mail, upload or web service.

SAP B1 blog