An increasing number of companies are exchanging invoices electronically with business partners in order to reduce costs. Since July 1, 2004, the following applies: The value added tax shown in the electronic invoice can only be claimed as a pre-tax deduction in cases where the electronic invoice carries a recognized electronic signature (§14 Paragraph 4 VAT Act) and where both parties have agreed on the electronic invoice in advance. Companies can now carry out their entire electronic invoicing procedures in a legally binding manner using fun SignFactory onDemand.
Paper invoices incur substantial costs. The costs of printing, enveloping, archiving, stamps and postage currently run to between two and ten Euros, depending on the degree of automation and processing effort required. Invoice receipt also incurs substantial costs, as the invoice must be entered manually into the electronic accounts. In comparison with this, the electronic exchange of invoices incurs only the minor costs of preparation and processing of an invoice.
Companies can provide a qualified electronic signature on electronically prepared invoices and transfer them in PDF format using fun SignFactory onDemand, such that the recipient is entitled to pre-tax deduction. The signature is directly integrated into the PDF. The fun SignFactory onDemand user is in no way restricted in either the design of the graphics or the content of the PDF.
The checking and archiving software PDF-Faktura is associated with fun SignFactory and can be used for other electronic invoices. PDF-Faktura can be used to check and archive electronic invoices in a legally secure manner. fun SignFactory onDemand users can supply PDF-Faktura for download free of charge to their invoice recipients and thereby aid their invoice recipients in complying with legal requirements governing the use of electronic invoices.
More detailed information is available at www.fun.de and www.cebit.de