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The e-invoicing mandate is coming – and you’ll be fully prepared with digital invoice management from ELO.
E-invoicing in the B2B sector will become mandatory in Germany starting January 1, 2025—applying to businesses of all sizes. This change in the Value Added Tax Act (UStG) is driven by the newly enacted Growth Opportunities Act.
What is an E-Invoice?
In several European countries, e-invoicing or electronic invoicing is already legally required—especially for B2B transactions. However, not every digital or digitized invoice automatically qualifies as an e-invoice. E-invoices must follow a structured electronic format, such as XRechnung or ZUGFeRD. In contrast, PDFs or scanned and thus digitized paper invoices do not count as e-invoices!
What do businesses need to know, and how can they best prepare?
The e-invoicing mandate applies to the receipt of incoming invoices and affects all domestic businesses, regardless of revenue or profit. However, there are transitional regulations for issuing e-invoices until December 31, 2027.
Important to know: As of January 1, 2025, a PDF invoice sent via email will no longer be considered a valid invoice! Until the end of 2027, invoice issuers may still use PDF invoices only with the explicit consent of the recipient. The period from January 2025 to the end of 2027 serves as a transition phase.
However, there is no transition period for recipients. This means that all businesses must be able to receive e-invoices starting January 1, 2025. Now is the time to digitize your invoice processing!
Act now – Digitize your invoice processing!
Benefits
Software systems for digitizing your invoicing processes
Software systems for the automated processing of electronic invoices can recognize various invoice formats, present them in a readable format for the recipient, and process them efficiently.
Digitizing your invoicing process offers numerous benefits:
Integration
Thanks to powerful interfaces, invoices can be seamlessly transferred to the primary accounting system.
Approval Processes
In a custom-configurable approval process, invoices are automatically forwarded, speeding up invoice processing.
Data Capture
Different invoice formats are recognized, and all essential information is extracted—AI-driven process support significantly reduces workload.
Automation
With predefined structures, the system remains organized, allowing invoices to be automatically assigned to specific customers or suppliers and quickly retrieved.
Manage data access
Individual access rights and permissions ensure clear responsibilities.
Visualisation
Dashboards provide a better overview of all invoices and documents.
Automated invoice retrieval
Through interfaces, central networks like PEPPOL can be integrated for automated invoice retrieval. This also simplifies data access for your tax advisor.
Take advantage of this momentum to digitize and automate your invoice processing. This ensures you are fully prepared for the e-invoicing mandate, saves valuable time and money, and guarantees maximum transparency and traceability.
Automated processing of e-invoices with ELO Invoice
You receive an e-invoice. The digital invoice management solution ELO Invoice recognizes and verifies the relevant data, then transfers it to your customized accounting and approval process. The invoices are digitally archived in compliance with legal requirements within the ELO system and recorded in the connected external accounting system.
With ELO Invoice, you have full control over the entire invoice workflow — efficiently and custom-configured.
Source: ELO Digital Office GmbH, 2024
Do you work with DATEV?
Do you use DATEV accounting software? With ELO for DATEV, we have the perfect solution for you!
Source: ELO Digital Office GmbH, 2024