10. October 2024
E-Invoice: DocuWare – the universal solution for all e-invoicing processes
The countdown is on: E-invoice will be mandatory for the B2B sector starting in January 2025 − and you can look forward to it coming into force with DocuWare's efficient invoice management.
The mandatory e-invoice proclaimed by the federal government marks a significant step towards a paperless future. It creates the basis for modern, digital administration − and significantly optimises accounting processes. The starting signal will be given at the turn of the year.
Have you already taken all precautions to implement the new standard in your business practice in accordance with the regulations?
With the DocuWare document management system, you fulfil all e-invoice requirements − completely digitally and highly automated. The intuitive and multifunctional DMS makes the transition to e-invoicing effortless and comprehensive. It ensures fast invoice processing, automated workflows, processes without media discontinuity and efficient archiving and data provision. It also guarantees maximum compliance security and can be seamlessly integrated into existing systems. Benefit from an end-to-end approach to optimising your e-invoice processes.
E-Invoice − the most important facts in brief
Definition
Machine-readable invoice − it is created, sent, received and processed electronically without media discontinuity.
Technical specifications
XML-based data formats such as XRechnung & ZUGFeRD − their structured format enables automated processing of invoice data
Legal basis
Growth Opportunities Act − it obliges the B2B sector (business-to-business) to use e-invoices from 2025 in order to reduce the administrative burden & increase efficiency in accounting. In the B2C sector (business-to-consumer), the consent of the end consumer remains a prerequisite for electronic invoice. Among other things, companies must comply with the GoBD (principles for the proper management and storage of books, records and documents in electronic form). Among other things, these regulate procedural documentation and the archiving of e-invoices.
Advantages
shorter throughput times, minimised susceptibility to errors, better traceability, reduced administration and material costs, more environmentally friendly, more adherence to deadlines, improved compliance & safety standards
Deadlines
From 1 January 2025, companies must be able to receive e-invoices. From 1 January 2026, the creation and sending of e-invoices will also be mandatory. Consequences of non-compliance include fines, tax disadvantages, exclusion from public contracts, etc.
Paper invoices and non-compliant e-invoices are permitted on a transitional basis until 2027 with the express consent of the recipient, provided the company issuing the invoice does not exceed a maximum turnover of 800,000 euros in the previous year.
The retention period for e-invoices is the same as for paper invoices and is also at least 10 years.
The introduction of national e-reporting is also expected from 2028.
Important note
E-invoices are exclusively standardised data formats for automated processing and integration into business processes. Consequently, documents converted into electronic formats such as PDFs are not included − all invoice data must be imported directly into the processing systems.
E-Invoices ─ Process-optimised invoice management with DocuWare
The top facts at a glance
- automatic data extraction
- seamless integration into external systems (ERP, CRM, etc.)
- efficient workflow automation, e.g. approvals/releases
- validated invoice data through check mechanisms
- secure archiving in accordance with GoBD
- easy retrievability
- legal compliance, e.g. e-signatures
- fact-based reporting
- highest security standards, e.g. encryption/access controls
- automated tax calculation
- status tracking
- automatic reminder system
- compliance according to international standards
- intuitive user interface
- mobile access & editing via app
