Core invoice details
Use the full legal names and addresses, issue date, supply date, clear description, sequential invoice number, tax number or VAT ID as applicable, and the correct net, tax and gross information.
Special VAT wording
Small-business, reverse-charge and tax-exempt invoices need the appropriate legal treatment and wording. Foreign-currency and cross-border transactions need consistent records.
- Validate customer business data.
- Use one controlled numbering system.
- State payment terms and bank details.
- Archive the final issued version.
Correct, do not overwrite
If an issued invoice is wrong, create a traceable correction. Quietly replacing a PDF destroys the audit trail and can leave two versions in circulation.
Frequently asked
Must invoice numbers be consecutive?
They must be unique and follow a controlled sequence; gaps should be explainable.
Can I invoice in English?
Generally yes, provided the required tax information is clear and records remain auditable.
Do I use my tax number or VAT ID?
It depends on the transaction; for cross-border EU business the VAT ID is commonly required.
This guide is general information on German tax law, not advice on your individual case. Rules and figures change with each tax year.