July 20, 2020
Again and again we are asked what the differences are between an XInvoice and ZUGFeRD. What deadlines have to be met and what do you have to consider yourself when issuing or processing invoices? Enclosed we would like to give a short overview.
In principle, there has been a desire in Germany and at the EU level for some time to automate processes and circumstances and to standardize data exchange.
The Directive 2014/55/EU OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of April 16, 2014 on electronic invoicing for public contracts has therefore been published in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The aim of this directive is a company-specific standard for electronic invoices so that an automated exchange of invoices is possible.
In the free economy, therefore, the ZUGFeRD format has been used for some time, which includes an XML file in addition to an electronic invoice in pdf format. This can be processed automatically e.g. in Diamant Invoice Receipt Management. The contents are thus available pre-assigned directly in the documents of the invoice receipt book.
The ZUGFeRD format has been further developed, so that in the meantime version 2.0 is spoken of. The structure of the pdf + xml file has not changed. Automated processing in diamond is still possible.
For the public sector, the XInvoice was developed according to the requirements of the EU Directive. This consists only of the XML file, which can also be processed automatically by Diamant's Invoice Receipt Management. In addition, the program creates a document from this file, which can then also be digitally displayed in Diamant.
The XInvoice is relevant for invoicing in connection with public clients. From November 27, 2020, invoices for public contracts must show the XInvoice format. This applies to both the incoming and outgoing side and affects, for example, hospitals, public utilities, waste disposal companies, schools or social institutions.
The great advantage of this requirement is that it eliminates the need for expensive text recognition software, since the invoices are machine-readable and uniform standards exist. In conjunction with automated capture, this also enables faster processing of invoices and a more efficient approval and payment process.
Consulting Härtelt GmbH has been consistently focusing on the topic of digitalization for many years and has now introduced Diamant's invoice receipt management for numerous customers. In addition, interfaces were implemented with the DMS provider Kyocera, which enable the automated exchange or filing of incoming and outgoing invoices. Of course, numerous other documents, such as delivery bills, orders or personnel documents, can also be stored.
Simply contact us if you have any requirements.