In an increasingly digitalized world, the efficiency of business processes is becoming more and more important. This is especially true when it comes to billing processes. XRechnung, a standardized invoicing format originally developed for public sector billing, is now also gaining in importance in Germany among companies in the B2B sector.
But why should companies make the transition to XRechnung? Here are the main reasons.
1. Regulatory requirements
One of the principal reasons for using XRechnung is compliance with statutory requirements. Following the introduction of the European 2014/55/EU directive, public-sector clients are now obliged to accept and process electronic invoices. In Germany, companies engaging in business with public-sector organizations (B2G) are required to submit their invoices in an electronic format such as XRechnung. This mandatory requirement will be expanded in phases starting January 1st,2025, which is the date from which companies operating in Germany will also be obliged to accept electronic invoices in the B2B sector.
2. Harmonizing billing processes
The introduction of XRechnung is facilitating the harmonization of billing processes across sectors and countries. The standardization of invoice formats ensures that invoices for companies and government organizations are consistent and compatible at all levels. This simplifies their integration into existing systems and reduces the need for differing versions of invoices for different customers or markets. A uniform process additionally leads to clear, transparent communication between business partners, thus improving their collaboration.
3. Boosting efficiency
The transition to XRechnung provides significant benefits with regard to efficiency. The digitalization and automation of billing processes offers companies the opportunity to reduce their costs by roughly 60 to 80 percent in comparison to paper-based processes. Manual tasks such as printing, enveloping and posting invoices are no longer required. Instead, invoices can be sent, directly and automatically, from the company’s ERP system to the respective authority or business partner.
4. Reducing errors and achieving compliance
XRechnung also helps to reduce data capturing errors. As the invoice data is provided in a structured, machine-readable format, it is perfectly laid out for automatic processing. Consequently, the risk of human error when entering the data is minimized. Furthermore, the format complies with the requirements of the Value Added Tax Act and supports electronic archiving.
5. Data protection and legal certainty
Electronic invoices in XRechnung format fulfill the strictest data protection and data security requirements. They are designed to ensure that the sensitive information contained in invoices can be transmitted safely and securely. In addition, XRechnung guarantees compliance with legal requirements, as it ensures that the transmitted data remains tamper-proof and meets the legal conditions for storage and archiving.
6. Faster processing and handling of payments
Another advantage XRechnung provides is the accelerated processing of invoices. As e-invoices are delivered immediately without the time required for the delivery of regular post, the time which lapses between the creation of the bill and its payment is reduced substantially. This results in improved liquidity, as companies are able to collect their outstanding receivables more quickly.
7. Sustainability
Finally, switching over to XRechnung also contributes to sustainability. By foregoing the need for paper and the associated transport, resources are conserved and the carbon footprint reduced. This not only benefits the environment, but also throws a positive light on the company’s image.
Conclusion
XRechnung is more than just a new billing format – it holds the key to modernizing and optimizing business processes. Legal requirements, increased efficiency, harmonized billing processes and higher data protection standards make it imperative for companies to introduce XRechnung. By adopting XRechnung early, companies not only benefit from meeting regulatory requirements, but also from long-term cost savings, reducing legal risk and gaining a competitive advantage.
Retarus has got you covered
Retarus E-Invoicing is a cost-efficient cloud solution, developed with EDI DNA and more than 27 years of experience. It is in line with international provisions and fulfills a wide range of technical statutory requirements. As a certified Peppol Access Point and a member of local e-invoicing associations, Retarus provides its customers with legally compliant e-invoicing for B2G, B2B and B2C in Europe and around the globe, always in compliance with international standards.
Find out how companies are digitalizing their processes for sending and receiving invoices on our website or directly from your local Retarus representative.
