Digital revolution: E-billing forces companies to change!

Digital revolution: E-billing forces companies to change!

From 2025, the German economy expects a fundamental transformation in accounting: The "Growth Resolutions Act", which was passed by the Federal Council in spring 2024, brings with it the obligation to issue and receive electronic invoices. From January 1, 2025, invoices may only be transmitted in structured, machine -readable formats such as x calculation or trainfield (from version 2.0.1). By the end of 2024, a simple PDF is still acceptable as an electronic calculation. This applies to the trade between companies based in Germany (B2B), whereby there are exceptions for small amount calculations, travel cards and services at non-companies, such as bundesfinanzministerium.de reports.

The digital change is intended to simplify processes and reduce incorrect inputs. The advantages are not to be neglected: companies can achieve significant savings through reduced processing costs and less double work. Even the EU pursues the goal of introducing digital sales report by 2030 to combat tax fraud. According to an assessment of the IHK Berlin, there are concerns. Many companies, especially smaller ones, are faced with challenges, as software often has to be adapted or newly procured. This generates uncertainties, in particular with regard to the corrections of e-bills and the handling of collecting calculations, such as bbb24.de notes.

Overview of the regulations and exceptions

companies that have previously used analog or unstructured invoices have to change by 2025. A relief applies to small business owners and invoices under 250 euros, since they are not subject to e-account obligation. It is also important that on January 1, 2025, each invoice recipient must be able to receive e-bills, which minimally presupposes an email inbox. For the beginning of this new invoice request, however, there are transition periods until the end of 2026 to adapt to the new regulations, such as the Federal Ministry of Finance.

With the switch to electronic invoices, Germany can take a further step towards digitization in order not to fall back in international competition and to increase efficiency in economic exchange. The law has both opportunities and major challenges for companies that will have to adapt to the new requirements in the coming months.