Creating an invoice that meets the legal requirements in Germany is essential for every self-employed professional. With Accountable, the process is streamlined and easy. Follow this guide to create your legally compliant invoice in just a few steps. đ
What you should know before you create your first invoice
Before creating your first invoice, make sure your personal details in Accountable are accurate. This ensures your invoice is correct and hassle-free. Youâll need to provide:
IBAN and BIC (for payment purposes)
Your address (the one registered with your business)
VAT Number (if applicable)
You can update this information in your âPersonal dataâ under Settings in the main menu. Without this, your invoice may not be valid, and you will not be able to receive payments.
Step-by-step-instruction to create an invoice
Follow these simple steps to create your invoice:
Click on âCreate Invoiceâ
Enter Your Clientâs Information: Enter your clientâs full name and address. Make sure this is accurate to ensure the invoice meets legal standards.
Write Down Your Goods/Services
Description: List the goods or services you provided.
Quantity: Specify how much or how many of each item/service.
Price: Enter the price for each item or service.
Invoice Date: The date the invoice is created.
Invoice Number: This must be a consecutive number. Accountable automatically assigns an invoice number, but you can adjust this if needed.
Date of Service: Enter the date or time period when the goods or services were provided.
VAT Rate
If applicable, select the VAT rate for each item.
If VAT is not applicable, provide an explanation (e.g., âVAT exemptâ or âReverse chargeâ). This is automatically added in Accountable.
Invoice Amounts
Net Amount: The total before VAT.
VAT Amount: The VAT applicable to the transaction.
Gross Amount: The total amount to be paid, including VAT.
Payment Instructions: Include your bank details (IBAN and BIC) or any other payment method instructions to ensure your client knows how to pay.
Can I customize my invoice?
Accountable gives you the flexibility to design your invoice to match your brand. Hereâs what you can customize:
Color: Adjust the colors to match your branding.
Layout: Choose a layout that best suits your style.
Font: Pick the font style and size.
Format: You can choose the format of your invoice (PDF, etc.).
Currency: Select the currency you want to use.
Take advantage of these options to make your invoice stand out while remaining professional. Please note that the customizing option are available in all paid plans, but not in the Free invoicing plan. â ď¸
How to send your invoice
Once your invoice is ready, you have several options to send it:
Save + Finalize: Save your invoice and finalize it when youâre ready to send.
Download the Invoice as a PDF: Download the invoice and send it manually via email or other methods.
Send directly from Accountable: Send the invoice directly to your client from within the app.
Choose the option that works best for you and your client.
Can I modify my invoice once itâs been sent?
As soon as an invoice has been sent, it is considered an official document and cannot be changed retroactively for tax purposes. If you need to make changes, please follow these steps in this article to cancel and re-do the invoice.
What happens if I forget to add VAT to my invoice?
Itâs important to ensure that VAT is applied correctly, as failing to do so can result in legal issues. If you realize it after sending it, please cancel the original invoice and issue a corrected invoice with the VAT amount added.
Can I create multiple invoices for the same client?
Absolutely! Accountable allows you to create as many invoices as needed for each client.
Creating a legally compliant invoice in Germany with Accountable is quick, simple, and efficient. With the right details and the ability to customize your invoices, youâll ensure smooth transactions every time. If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to our support team.