Error code BR-DE-16
Your VAT ID or tax number is missing
XRechnung invoices with VAT must contain the seller's VAT ID (BT-31), tax number (BT-32) or tax representative (BG-11).
The official rule
“Wenn in einer Rechnung die Steuercodes S, Z, E, AE, K, G, L oder M verwendet werden, muss mindestens eines der Elemente "Seller VAT identifier" (BT-31), "Seller tax registration identifier" (BT-32) oder "SELLER TAX REPRESENTATIVE PARTY" (BG-11) übermittelt werden.”
Official text, in the language the rule set publishes it in.
Fields named: BT-31 · BT-32 · BG-11
Common causes
- Neither VAT ID nor tax number is entered in your company settings.
How to fix it
- Enter your VAT ID (USt-IdNr.) and/or tax number (Steuernummer) in your company settings.
Where to fix it in your software
- Lexware Office: Einstellungen (Zahnrad) › Allgemeine Einstellungen › Steuer- und/oder USt-IdNr. (help page)
- orgaMAX: Stammdaten › Meine Firma (help page)
- sevdesk:
Für die Erstellung von E-Rechnungen ist es zwingend erforderlich, deine Umsatzsteuer-ID in den Unternehmenseinstellungen zu hinterlegen.
(help page)
From each provider's own help page, read on 25 October 2026. Menus can change; we are not linked to these providers.
Wrong vs. right (UBL)
Wrong
<cac:AccountingSupplierParty>
<cac:Party>
…
<cac:PartyLegalEntity>…</cac:PartyLegalEntity>
</cac:Party>
</cac:AccountingSupplierParty>Right
<cac:AccountingSupplierParty>
<cac:Party>
…
<cac:PartyTaxScheme>
<cbc:CompanyID>DE…</cbc:CompanyID>
<cac:TaxScheme><cbc:ID>VAT</cbc:ID></cac:TaxScheme>
</cac:PartyTaxScheme>
<cac:PartyLegalEntity>…</cac:PartyLegalEntity>
</cac:Party>
</cac:AccountingSupplierParty>