Invoicing Software for Germany

German invoicing software must produce Rechnungen that satisfy every requirement in §14 UStG — missing a single field can void the buyer's Vorsteuerabzug (input VAT deduction). Your tool needs to handle 19% and 7% USt rates, support Kleinunternehmer invoices without VAT, and include fields for Steuernummer or USt-IdNr., sequential numbering, and delivery or service date.

With Germany's B2B e-invoicing mandate rolling out under the Wachstumschancengesetz, software must support XRechnung and ZUGFeRD formats. GoBD compliance for electronic record-keeping is essential — invoices must be stored immutably for 10 years. Look for tools that include IBAN/BIC for SEPA payments and support Skonto (early payment discounts).

Domestic B2B buyers expect Leistungsbeschreibungen, net and USt amounts per rate, and correct reverse-charge text for cross-border services. Intra-EU supplies need valid USt-IdNr. checks documented in your process; invoices should name the customer exactly as registered.

SEPA-Überweisung remains standard; some clients use SEPA-Lastschrift where mandate text belongs in the contract, not only on the invoice. For public-sector work, XRechnung submission paths and buyer-specific Leitweg IDs are increasingly part of the tender package.

Credit notes (Gutschriften) must reference the original invoice number and correct prior USt; partial cancellations should mirror the original tax split. English-language invoices are often accepted internationally, but domestic German clients and Finanzamt reviews typically expect German legal wording for exemptions and reverse charge.

Cash-basis small business filers (Istversteuerung) still need compliant issue dates and immutable PDFs; accrual filers (Sollversteuerung) must align tax points with delivery or partial payments as UStG requires.

Coordinate retention, access logs, and exports with your Steuerberater so USt-Voranmeldung, ZM, and eventual external audits can reconstruct every Rechnung without gaps.