E/D/E Group: Project team ‘E-invoicing’
With the ‘VAT in the Digital Age’ initiative, the EU Commission wants to modernise VAT law, simplify tax obligations for companies and better combat potential VAT fraud. From 2025, it will be mandatory for B2B companies in Germany to be able to receive e-invoices in domestic B2B business transactions. This change is based on the Growth Opportunities Act (WCG), which was approved by the Federal Council (Bundesrat) on 22 March 2024. In Germany, the reform will be implemented in three stages from 2025. Initially, all companies must be able to receive and process e-invoices in a structured format. From 2027, the obligation will be extended so that companies will also have to issue and send e-invoices. The introduction of an electronic reporting system by the tax authorities is planned from 2028.
The EU countries implement these requirements in a similar way, but not in the same way. In France and Poland, the mandatory regulations for e-invoicing for domestic B2B transactions have already come into force. In Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain, for example, there are also specific requirements and timetables.
Important for all companies: What characterises an e-invoicing? An e-invoice is only valid if it is created, sent and received in a specific electronic format. Paper or PDF invoices sent by e-mail do not fulfil these requirements as they cannot be processed automatically. Dr Christian John, Head of Projects and Business Development EDI at the E/D/E Group, emphasises the advantages of the e-invoice: ‘The automated creation in defined formats guarantees high data quality and stability. Electronic transmission eliminates postal transit times and postage costs. Electronic processing also speeds up invoice verification, which optimises payment transactions.’
To adapt to the changed circumstances together with our European partners in an early and efficient manner, a project team within the EDE Group, including ETRIS BANK, is currently working on the new requirements. Information follows.
Do you need further clarification? Enquiries from our partners on the subject of e-invoicing can be sent to e-rechnung@ede.de or contact your contact person @ EDE International.
