In Germany, electronic invoices (e-invoices) are now mandatory for certain companies and public authorities. To ensure your invoice is recognized by the tax office, it must meet specific legal requirements. With Accountable<\/b>, you can create e-invoices easily, securely, and fully compliant with GoBD. In this article, we\u2019ll show you step by step how to create your e-invoice correctly, so you stay on the safe side and avoid potential issues during a tax audit.<\/p>\n
\nWhat is an e-invoice?<\/h2>\n
An e-invoice<\/b> is an invoice that is created, transmitted, and received entirely electronically\u2014no paper involved. It must meet specific legal requirements to be accepted by the tax office, including GoBD compliance<\/b>, authenticity of origin, integrity of content, and readability. E-invoices simplify digital bookkeeping and save time, as they can be processed directly in accounting software.<\/p>\n
\nRequirements for a valid e-invoice<\/h2>\n
For your electronic invoice to be accepted by the tax office, it must:<\/p>\n
Include all mandatory details under \u00a714 UStG<\/b>, e.g.:<\/p>\n Full name and address of both you (the service provider) and your client<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tax number or VAT ID<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Invoice date<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Sequential invoice number<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Description of the service or product<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Net amount, VAT amount, and total gross amount<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Payment terms<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n Be stored unchanged:<\/b><\/p>\n The invoice must be digitally stored in its original format (e.g., PDF) throughout the retention period<\/p>\n<\/li>\n No modifications or edits may be possible (GoBD-compliant)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n Be traceable and auditable:<\/b><\/p>\n All data must be clearly linked to a specific business transaction<\/p>\n<\/li>\n The invoice must be available for inspection by the tax office at any time<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Open the Accountable app<\/b> or the web version<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Go to Revenues \u2192 Create new invoice<\/b><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n Customize the invoice template at your own pace<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Add your client\u2019s details and your own information<\/p>\n<\/li>\n These details are saved automatically for future use<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Enter the details of your service or product, including description, quantity, and price<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Invoice number and service date<\/b> are filled in automatically, but you can adjust them if needed<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Accountable automatically calculates the net amount, VAT, and total gross amount<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Choose the correct VAT rate (e.g., 19%, 7%, or 0%)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Once everything is entered, you can save and send the invoice as a ZUGFeRD or XRechnung file<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Accountable also generates a PDF if you want to save a copy<\/p>\n<\/li>\n You can send the e-invoice directly via email to the client or download it first<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n When you create and send an e-invoice in Accountable<\/b>, it is automatically archived in a GoBD-compliant<\/b> manner. This means it is stored unchanged for the entire retention period and can be accessed at any time\u2014whether for your own records or for a tax audit.<\/p>\n You can export the invoice or download a PDF if needed. Make sure not to modify the PDF after sending to ensure immutability. This way, you always have full proof of your invoices, meet legal requirements, and are well-prepared for audits.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udca1 Can I send my e-invoice by email?<\/b> \ud83d\udca1 Does the invoice need to be digitally signed?<\/b> \ud83d\udca1 Are the e-invoices I create with Accountable recognized by the tax office?<\/b> \ud83d\udca1 Can I edit the invoice after sending?<\/b> In Germany, electronic invoices (e-invoices) are now mandatory for certain companies and public authorities. To ensure your invoice is recognized by the tax office, it must meet specific legal requirements. With Accountable, you can create e-invoices easily, securely, and fully compliant with GoBD. In this article, we\u2019ll show you step by step how to create […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","help_label":[544],"class_list":["post-30774","help_center","type-help_center","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n
\n
\n
\nHow to create an e-invoice in Accountable<\/h2>\n
Step 1: Create a new invoice<\/h2>\n
\n
Step 2: Enter customer details<\/h2>\n
\n
Step 3: Add service or product description<\/h2>\n
\n
Step 4: Enter amount and VAT<\/h2>\n
\n
Step 5: Review and send the invoice<\/h2>\n
\n
\nStorage and proof for the tax office<\/h2>\n
\nFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)<\/h2>\n
Yes, this is allowed. The recipient must agree to receive the e-invoice, which can also be implied\u2014for example, by paying the invoice.<\/p>\n
No. Since 2011, a qualified electronic signature is no longer required. Authenticity and immutability are ensured today through GoBD-compliant storage.<\/p>\n
Yes! E-invoices created with Accountable meet all legal requirements. They are easy to create, securely stored, and accepted by the tax office.<\/p>\n
No. Once sent, the document cannot be modified to maintain immutability.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"