Germany Invoice Line Item Builder: Umsatzsteuer berechnen
Build XRechnung and ZUGFeRD-compliant line items with the correct USt rate applied automatically. Pick a category, add quantity and price, and get totals in EUR.
From product to compliant total in four steps
Select a country
Pick where you are invoicing. The tool loads that country's tax rates, tax codes, and currency, from ZATCA in KSA to LHDN in Malaysia.
Pick a category
Choose a product or service category, or type it and let the tool detect it. The correct tax code and rate are applied for you.
Enter qty and price
Type quantity and unit price. Net, tax, and line total update instantly. Add as many lines as you need, each with its own rate.
Copy or export
Review the tax breakdown and grand total, then copy the summary as text or export a CSV for your billing system.
Germany e-invoicing: XRechnung and ZUGFeRD
Standard and reduced rates
Germany applies a standard Umsatzsteuer rate of 19 percent to most goods and services. A reduced rate of 7 percent applies to basic and takeaway food, books and newspapers including e-books, short-distance public transport, cultural event tickets, agricultural products, and hotel room charges. Choosing the right category decides which of the two rates lands on the line.
Cross-border treatment
Exports outside the EU are zero-rated. Intra-EU supplies of goods to a VAT-registered business are reported as an intra-community supply, and intra-EU services use the reverse charge, where the rate is 0 percent on your invoice and the customer self-accounts. Financial services, medical services, education, and residential rent are exempt.
What the mandate requires
Receiving structured e-invoices has been mandatory since January 2025, and issuing B2B e-invoices becomes mandatory from January 2027 for businesses above EUR 800,000. Invoices follow EN 16931 in either XRechnung XML or the hybrid ZUGFeRD 2.1 PDF-plus-XML. Amounts round to 2 decimal places in EUR.
| Category | Tax code | Rate | Typical items |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard goods | S | 19% | Electronics, machinery, clothing, office equipment |
| Standard services | S | 19% | Consulting, IT, legal, marketing, accounting |
| Commercial rent (opted) | S | 19% | Office space, warehouse |
| Restaurant meals (dine-in) | S | 19% | Dine-in restaurant food and beverage |
| Food (basic / takeaway) | AA | 7% | Bread, milk, meat, fruit, vegetables, takeaway |
| Books & newspapers | AA | 7% | Physical and digital books, periodicals, e-books |
| Short-distance transport | AA | 7% | Local bus, train, tram (up to 50km) |
| Cultural events | AA | 7% | Theatre, concert, museum tickets |
| Hotel accommodation | AA | 7% | Overnight stays (room only) |
| Exports to non-EU | Z | 0% | Goods shipped outside the EU |
| Intra-EU supply (B2B goods) | K | 0% | Goods sold to a VAT-registered EU business |
| Intra-EU services (B2B) | AE | 0% | Reverse charge to a VAT-registered EU business |
| Financial services | E | 0% | Banking, insurance, securities trading |
| Medical services | E | 0% | Doctor visits, hospital treatment |
| Education | E | 0% | School, university, vocational training |
| Residential rent | E | 0% | Residential property rental |
Line item calculations you can check by hand
Each example uses the same rules the tool applies: net equals quantity times unit price, tax equals net times the rate, and the line total is net plus tax.
Questions about invoice line items and tax rates
How do I calculate VAT on an invoice line?
Multiply the net price (quantity times unit price) by the tax rate to get the tax amount. For a SAR 1,000 net line at 15%, the VAT is SAR 150, making the line total SAR 1,150. This tool does the same calculation for every line and adds them up for you.
What tax category codes do e-invoicing mandates require?
Most mandates use S for the standard rate, Z for zero-rated, E for exempt, AA for a reduced rate, AE for reverse charge, and O for supplies not subject to tax. Each line on the invoice must carry the correct code alongside the rate and the calculated tax amount.
How do I classify my product or service?
Pick the category that best matches what you are selling, or type it and let the tool detect it. For the final compliant file you will also need an item classification code such as an HS, GPC, HSN, SAC, or UNSPSC code, which the Complyance platform applies during generation.
Can I have multiple tax rates on one invoice?
Yes. Each line carries its own tax category and rate. The invoice summary then shows a tax breakdown by rate, listing the taxable amount and the tax for each rate separately, which is exactly what most tax authorities expect on a multi-rate invoice.
What happens if I use the wrong tax rate?
An incorrect rate produces an incorrect tax amount and a non-compliant invoice. Tax authorities can impose fines for non-compliant e-invoices, and your customer may be unable to claim the input tax. Confirm the category and rate for each item before you send.
Does the tool save or send my invoice data?
No. The builder runs entirely in your browser. Your line items are never sent to a server, and nothing is stored once you close the tab. Copy and CSV export both happen on your own device.
Which countries does the line item builder support?
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Malaysia, Germany, France, and India, each with its own rates, tax codes, and currency. Switch country from the sidebar and the categories reload.
Is the line item builder really free?
Yes. Building line items, viewing the tax breakdown, copying the summary, and exporting CSV are all free with no signup. Generating a signed, submittable e-invoice file such as ZATCA UBL 2.1 or Peppol is the paid step handled by the Complyance platform.
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Open tool →Ready to generate compliant e-invoices?
This tool builds and checks your line items. Complyance generates the signed, submittable file in your country's required format and routes it to the tax authority. Map your data once, send everywhere.
