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E-invoicing obligation – laws and regulations
E-Invoicing Ordinance and Growth Opportunities Act
Legal basis of the e-invoicing obligation
Since January 1, 2025, e-invoicing is mandatory for all companies in the B2B sector. This page summarizes the legal basic info for you.
What does the E-Invoicing Ordinance define?
European directives for e-invoice formats
Growth Opportunities Act obliges companies to e-invoicing
Which are the benefits of mandatory e-invoicing?
Which transitional periods apply to the exchange of e-invoices?
How do companies create the conditions for exchanging e-invoices?
What does the E-Invoicing Ordinance define?
In November 2020, the E-Invoicing Ordinance (E-Rechnungsverordnung) was adopted in Germany and Europe. This law obliges public institutions in the European Union to receive and process electronic invoices.
Unlike paper invoices, e-invoices are based on a standardized semantic data model. The e-invoicing regulation declares the XRechnung and ZUGFeRD invoice formats to be approved standards for electronic invoicing in Germany.
With the E-Invoicing Ordinance, e-invoicing has become mandatory throughout Germany in the exchange of invoices with public clients. According to the Growth Opportunities Act (Wachstumschancengesetz), this method has also been mandatory in the B2B sector since January 1, 2025.
European directives for e-invoice formats
The EU Directive 2014/55/EU was developed by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN: Comité Européeen de Normalisation) and obliges all contracting authorities in Europe to receive and process e-invoices.
The standard for electronic invoicing EN 16931 is based on this directive and defines the use of the XML data format for e-invoices throughout Europe. Each EU member state can develop its own specification based on this standard.
In Germany, the two invoice formats XRechnung and ZUGFeRD (Zentraler User Guide des Forums elektronische Rechnung Deutschland) have been defined as the standard. France and Germany jointly developed the Factur-X format, which is identical to the ZUGFeRD format.
Growth Opportunities Act obliges companies to e-invoicing
On March 22, 2024, the Federal Council in Germany approved the Growth Opportunities Act (Wachstumschancengesetz). This means that from January 1, 2025, all invoices between companies will be exchanged in the form of e-invoices.
As this obligation poses a huge challenge for companies, transitional periods (in accordance with Section 27 (39) UStG-E) are planned for the period from 2025 to 2027.
Despite these transitional periods, we recommend that companies transform their financial processes today. On the one hand, they will be immediately prepared for receiving e-invoices, which will be mandatory by the deadline. On the other hand, they will benefit in the long term from legal compliance and increased efficiency thanks to the fully digital and automated invoicing process.
Which transitional periods apply to the exchange of e-invoices?
The complete digitization of the invoicing process is a huge challenge for many companies. For this reason, the legislator has set the following transitional periods for sending and receiving e-invoices.
Until January 1, 2027, companies may still send other invoices (paper invoices, PDF, JPG), but only if the recipient allows them to do so. From this date, companies with an annual turnover of more than 800,000 euros must only send e-invoices. Smaller companies will still benefit from simplified conditions in 2027, but these are also dependent on the consent of the invoice recipient.
January 1, 2028 is then the deadline from which every company must send and receive e-invoices.
Which are the benefits of mandatory e-invoicing?
The e-invoicing obligation in Germany is increasingly ensuring the standardization of invoice formats and improving the security of invoicing processes. Companies can automatically issue legally compliant invoices and benefit from the more efficient processes that come with digitization.
With the e-invoicing obligation, paper invoices and the effort involved in processing and archiving are increasingly disappearing. A fully data-based invoicing process minimizes the effort involved in issuing and receiving invoices. E-invoices are not only faster to create, send, remind and save, but they can also be received more quickly and processed seamlessly and without errors.
Standardized e-invoice formats also support the internationalization of companies. The prompt digitization of processes ensures hassle-free participation in EU-wide and international trade.
How do companies create the conditions for exchanging e-invoices?
In order to comply with the e-invoice obligation, you as a company must create the preconditions under your own responsibility. As a first step, companies need a valid VAT identification number and as unique electronic address (in accordance with the EAS). These details clearly identify the sender and recipient.
In the second step, you need suitable software to:
- Receive and process e-invoices
- Generate and send e-invoices
- Archive incoming and outgoing invoices
Our product JustOn Billing & Invoice Management offers you these functions from January 2025 and ensures compliance with applicable laws and tax regulations.
18. July 2024
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Exchange of e-invoices via Peppol
Exchange of e-invoices via Peppol
Transfer of e-invoices – XRechnung and Peppol BIS Billing – between Salesforce and Peppol
Would you like to exchange e-invoices between Salesforce and Peppol?
JustOn offers the option of exchanging e-invoices in the format XRechnung and Peppol BIS Billing between Salesforce and Peppol via a direct integration into the Peppol network.
Learn more about the following topics on this page:
How do you send e-invoices via Peppol?
What are the benefits of transmitting e-invoices via Peppol?
What is Peppol?
Peppol – Pan-European Public Procurement OnLine – offers an open network through which all participating companies and institutions can exchange electronic invoices in legally compliant formats and organize their procurement processes (e-procurement) in accordance with the Directive 2014/55/EU.
The standardized electronic formats XRechnung and Peppol BIS Billing ensure the consistent transmission of invoices between companies and public institutions in the Peppol infrastructure.
As opposed to all other transmission options for e-invoices, Peppol is the only channel to offer machine-to-machine automation.
How do you send e-invoices via Peppol?
The exchange of e-invoices in the standardized digital formats XRechnung and Peppol BIS Billing guarantees direct transmission to processing systems. According to the EN-16931 standard for electronic invoicing, the use of the XML data format is mandatory in Europe.
This makes the electronic exchange of invoices between contractors and clients much more efficient. In particular, in companies that process a large number of orders in particular will benefit from this service, which guarantees legal compliance, seamless processing and immediate payments.
What are the benefits of transmitting e-invoices via Peppol?
The transmission of invoices in the XRechnung and Peppol BIS Billing format via the Peppol network reduces the workload for invoice senders and recipients. The use of the network guarantees the fully automated, seamless exchange of invoice documents.
Companies with a high volume of e-invoices benefit from this automation, as do smaller companies. The connection to the Peppol network ensures error reduction, high security and efficient digital processes in the transmission of e-invoices in the XRechnung and Peppol BIS Billing format.
Does JustOn offer a connection from Salesforce to Peppol?
JustOn Billing & Invoice Management offers seamless data transfer between Salesforce and Peppol.
The direct integration enables users of our software to exchange electronic invoices in XRechnung and Peppol BIS Billing formats via the Peppol network – both nationally and internationally. This function reduces the workload for senders and recipients and ensures a high level of security: data transfer is encrypted and complies with legal requirements via a four-corner model.
By January 2025, users of JustOn Billing & Invoice Management will also be able to receive e-invoices from the Peppol network in Salesforce.
17. July 2024
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XRechnung and Factur-X in Salesforce
XRechnung and Factur-X in Salesforce
Create, send and receive e-invoices in the formats XRechnung and Factur-X in Salesforce
E-invoice formats XRechnung and Factur-X in Salesforce
On this page you will learn how to create, send, receive and manage e-invoices in XRechnung, Peppol BIS Billing and FacturX format in Salesforce.
Our billing software JustOn Billing & Invoice Management already offers some of these functions, while others are currently under development. With JustOn Billing & Invoice Management, you will be well prepared for the legal deadline of January 1, 2025.
In the following, we will inform you about the legally compliant e-invoice formats:
Which e-invoicing formats apply in Germany and France?
Which e-invoicing formats apply in Germany and France?
According to the EN-16931 Directive for electronic invoicing, the use of the XML data format is mandatory for e-invoices in Europe. Each EU member state can develop its own specification based on this standard.
In Germany, the E-Invoicing Ordinance (E-Recnungsverordnung) defines the invoice formats XRechnung and ZUGFeRD (Zentraler User Guide des Forums elektronische Rechnung Deutschland) as the standard for electronic invoicing.
France and Germany have developed the Factur-X format, which is identical to the ZUGFeRD format.
These standards are designed to unify invoice formats and increase security in the exchange of invoice data.
What is a XRechnung?
XRechnung is the name for an e-invoice standard valid in Germany. It complies with the European standard EN-16931 and is based on a pure XML data model. This means that the invoice is completely machine-readable and does not contain a human-readable image of the invoice data.
The XRechnung is based on the Directive 2014/55/EU and the DIN EN 16931 standard and therefore fulfills all the requirements necessary for digital invoicing.
What is a Factur-X?
The Factur-X invoice format is identical to the ZUGFeRD format. Like XRechnung and ZUGFeRD, Factur-X is based on the Directive 2014/55/EU and the DIN EN 16931 standard and can therefore be used for electronic invoicing in France.
While XRechnung is based on a pure XML data model, the Factur-X e-invoice format combines the benefits of PDF and XML. It is therefore a hybrid format that combines the human-readable PDF format with the machine-readable XML format. The XML file is embedded in the PDF and is therefore exchanged at the same time.
Create and manage XRechnung and Factur-X
JustOn Billing & Invoice Management automatically creates e-invoices in XRechnung format from finalized invoices in Salesforce.
These invoices in XML format are saved as an attachment to the invoice data record and can thus be processed and archived in compliance with the law.
The creation and management of e-invoices in FacturX format is currently under development and will be offered by JustOn as a new function in the near future.
Sending, transferring and receiving XRechnung and Factur-X
E-invoices in the XRechnung and Factur-X formats (in development) can be sent automatically from Salesforce by e-mail or via invoice portals using JustOn Billing & Invoice Management.
E-invoices in XRechnung format can already be transferred to the Peppol open network via JustOn Billing & Invoice Management. A direct integration enables the transfer from Salesforce to Peppol and from there to the invoice recipients.
The function to receive XRechnung and Factur-X in JustOn Billing & Invoice Management – and therefore in Salesforce – is currently under development.
Would you like to invoice via XRechnung and Factur-X?
We will be happy to advise you.
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17. July 2024
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E-invoices in Salesforce
E-invoices in Salesforce
Management of e-invoices in JustOn Billing & Invoice Management
Create, send, receive and manage electronic invoices in Salesforce
How can companies receive electronic invoices? How can e-invoices be created, sent and managed?
On this page, we answer these questions and present solutions for receiving and sending e-invoices via JustOn Billing & Invoice Management.
Requirements for creating and exchanging e-invoices
Creating e-invoices in Salesforce
Requirements for creating and exchanging e-invoices
Companies must create the preconditions for fulfilling the e-invoice obligation at their own initiative.
In addition to the data already used on invoices, the exchange of electronic invoices requires the VAT identification number of the invoice issuer and an electronic address for the sender and recipient (according to the Electronic Address Scheme). This data is used to uniquely identify the business partners.
In addition, companies need software products that automate the following processes:
- Generating e-invoices
- Sending e-invoices
- Receiving e-invoices
- Processing and archiving of incoming and outgoing e-invoices
With JustOn Billing & Invoice Management, you are already on the safe side and can invoice your services and products in compliance with the law.
Product information
Creating e-invoices in Salesforce
JustOn Billing & Invoice Management automatically creates e-invoices from finalized invoices. To do this, the application generates an XML file, validates it and saves it as an attachment to the invoice data record.
E-invoices can be generated in the following invoice formats:
- Peppol BIS Billing (with UBL syntax) for Europe-wide invoicing
- XRechnung (with UBL syntax) for invoicing within Germany
The creation and management of invoices in Factur-X format is currently under development and will soon be offered as a new function.
As JustOn Billing & Invoice Management saves e-invoices as an attachment to the invoice data record, they can be managed and archived like all invoices in compliance with the law.
Sending and transferring e-invoices from Salesforce
The finalized e-invoices can be sent automatically from Salesforce via JustOn Billing & Invoice Management by e-mail or via invoice portals.
One of these invoice portals is the open network Peppol, to which e-invoices are sent and from where they are transferred to the recipients. JustOn Billing & Invoice Management supports the transfer option from Salesforce to Peppol.
The third option for transferring e-invoices in JustOn Billing & Invoice Management is the transfer to Basware Network Services, which can also be initiated with just a few clicks.
Receiving e-invoices in Salesforce
Since January 1, 2025, all companies in the B2B sector must be able to receive invoices as e-invoices. This can take place via email, invoice portals or special networks.
For incoming invoices in Salesforce, JustOn Billing & Invoice Management already offers the option of receiving e-invoices by email.
From January 2025, receiving e-invoices in JustOn Billing & Invoice Management will also be possible via the Peppol network.
17. July 2024
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What is an e-invoice?
What is an e-invoice?
Questions and answers on electronic invoices – e-invoices
General information on e-invoices
What is an e-invoice? What are the advantages of electronic invoices? And how do e-invoices replace other invoice formats?
On this page we will answer frequently asked questions about electronic invoices:
What is an e-invoice?
An electronic invoice – or e-invoice for short – is an invoice in the form of a structured electronic document. This makes it different from a paper invoice, a scanned paper invoice or an invoice in PDF format. The e-invoice is generated, transmitted, received and processed completely electronically.
The structured format contains all invoice data that has previously been included on paper invoices or in PDF files. E-invoicing enables the seamless, automatic, and direct electronic processing of invoice data.
In Germany, electronic invoicing for invoice exchange with public authorities under the E-Invoicing Ordinance (E-Rechnungsverordnung) in 2020. From January 2025, it will also be mandatory in the B2B sector (Growth Opportunity Act (Wachstumschancengesetz).
What are the benefits of e-invoicing?
The e-invoice replaces the paper invoice and all data formats previously used in the billing process. This brings significant benefits for your financial process.
The exchange of electronic invoices in a standardized digital format enables the complete automation of your processes and guarantees the direct transfer to processing systems.
This makes the electronic exchange of invoices between suppliers and clients much more efficient. In particular, companies that process a large number of orders in particular will benefit from this service. They automate their processes, create legally compliant invoice documents, process them seamlessly and can expect immediate payments.
Last but not least, the introduction of electronic invoicing eliminates costs that were incurred through paper invoices and other data formats – expenses for manual processing, but also for paper, mailing and document storage.
Is a pdf an e-invoice?
A PDF invoice is not an e-invoice. It does not matter whether it was generated directly as a PDF file in a billing system or scanned from a paper invoice. The invoice as a PDF file may have been created, transmitted and received in an electronic format, but it still is only the digital image of an invoice that cannot be processed automatically or electronically. This includes other file formats such as .jpg, .tiff or .docx.
In terms of processing, PDF invoices hardly differ from paper invoices. Although you no longer have to scan them, the invoice data still has to be transferred to the accounting system manually or via other systems.
PDF invoices therefore do not comply with the Directive on electronic invoices applicable in the European Union.
Which data does an e-invoice include?
On the one hand, an electronic invoice includes the data required in paper invoices:
- Invoice number
- Payment conditions
- Bank details
- VAT identification number
On the other hand, e-invoices require an “electronic address” for the invoice issuer and the invoice recipient. This information allows the sender and recipient to be clearly identified and must comply with the EU-regulated Electronic Address Scheme (EAS).
17. July 2024